Today’s Scripture passage from the Book of Romans contains a very familiar verse for many Christians, verse 28. It is a verse that many have found encouragement from, a verse that has carried them through many a difficult time. Today we’ll take a closer look at that verse, along with the passage surrounding the verse.
Our Scripture today begins with Paul telling us some comforting words. How many of you have come to God in prayer over some serious matter, and just didn’t know what to say or how to effectively pray? You were confused or too upset, maybe even crying too much to even really pray. Paul shares here in our Scripture that the Holy Spirit helps us in our prayers, and makes intercession for us (vs. 26-27). We don’t always know how we should pray. When we go to God in prayer, the Holy Spirit comes to our aid by translating our prayers according to God’s good purposes for our lives. The Holy Spirit will pray for and through us. He hears our inner cries and guides us by applying Scriptures. He intercedes for us in accordance with God’s will. The Father understands and agrees with what the Spirit thinks.
We now come to the verse (vs. 28) that many people have claimed during difficult times they have gone through. People are encouraged to think that their trials are working for their good. One thing we need to realize is that this verse applies only for Christians, those who have accepted the Lord Jesus as Savior. The verse reads “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Things work for good to those who love God, not just anyone. This is a promise for believers who love God and are seeking to live for Him.
God orchestrates every event in life, including suffering and temptations, to accomplish both our earthly and eternal benefit. Though not all things we experience are pleasant in themselves, we are promised that God uses everything for our benefit. We must have faith that He will turn our hardships and failures into something for our good. God is able to turn every circumstance around for our long-range good. He doesn’t work to make us happy, but to fulfill His purpose. The devil may try to work out his evil schemes in our life, but God will work to bring good from it, and further His kingdom.
Paul continues on in verse 29 to remind us that God is in the process of forming us into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. We were chosen to become like God’s Son, Jesus. The Holy Spirit is in the process of moulding us into becoming like Jesus’ character. That is God’s will for every believer. It is a continual process, called sanctification. God will remove from our lives whatever interferes with that, which is sometimes a painful or difficult process. Have you ever worked on a project that has taken a while to complete? Perhaps a sewing project or some woodworking craft. You work on it steadily, day by day, when you can. We are God’s personal project. He is committed to the task of forming us into the image of His Son, Jesus. God doesn’t always provide everything we want, but He will provide us with all that is necessary to fulfill His purpose for our lives. His goal is to sanctify us, not simply to satisfy each immediate desire.
As we continue on, in verse 31 the word “if” would be better translated “since”. Since God is for us, who can be against us? Our spiritual enemies will not ultimately triumph over us. We have a mighty team on our side as we pray. We may have big problems, but we have an even bigger God!
Jesus has promised that nothing and no one can separate us from His love (vs. 32-34). He is seated at the Father’s right hand, always interceding for us. God, who did not spare His Son for us, will not abandon us. God brought the greatest good, our eternal life, from the greatest suffering, Jesus on the Cross. He can bring good from any suffering.
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