Probably the most loved
verse in the Bible, especially for Christians is Romans 8:28 (ESV): “28
And we know that for those who
love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according
to his purpose.” By ripping this precious
promise from its context we get to use it as a hope-filled tonic for whatever
ills us. Christians bask in the notion
that the “good” that God promises is whatever we interpret as good.
A parent is unfortunately disconnected from an adult child. Sadly,
there is no communication and there is a massive rift in their
relationship. An unexpected illness
occurs in one party. The condition is
serious and the prognosis is disconcerting.
But through the events both parties are brought together and one
exclaims with gratitude: God has caused this to work together for good. Now “Every good gift and every perfect
gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no
variation or shadow due to change.” (James 1:17, ESV). This is undeniable. However can you root the upturn of this
situation in the promise of Romans 8:28? Well let’s put it back in it’s
context.
A. Romans 8:17, THE FUTURE GLORY OF THE CHRISTIAN
B. Romans 8:18-25, THE CLIMAX OF GOD’S PLAN FOR
THE WORLD AND HIS PEOPLE
B. Romans 8:26-29, THE MEANS OF GOD TO ATTAIN
THAT GLORY
C. vv26-27, THROUGH THE INTERCESSION OF THE
SPIRIT
C. v28, THROUGH GOD’S SOVEREIGN PROVIDENCE
C. vv29-30, THROUGH GOD’S PREDESTINATING GRACE
A. Romans 8:30, THE FUTURE GLORY OF THE CHRISTIAN
Romans 8:28 is sandwiched in a portion of Paul’s letter to Rome where
he is describing the future glory of the Christian. “And if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ,
provided we suffer with him in order
that we may also be glorified with him.” (Romans 8:17, ESV); and “And those whom he predestined he
also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified
he also glorified.”
(Romans 8:30, ESV).
In verses 18-25 Paul describes the current scenario with the world and
its people. “And not only
the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan
inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.”
(Romans 8:23, ESV). Creation will be delivered from bondage and
Christians await their final redemption.
All this is summarized by a patient waiting in hope. “For in this hope we were saved. Now
hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope
for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” (Romans 8:24–25, ESV).
So we are left with the question, “How is God going to bring us through
this time of patient hoping to our final redemption?” Firstly, in times of
uncertain prayer, God promises the help of the Spirit. “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness.
For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself
intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts
knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the
saints according to the will of God.” (Romans 8:26–27, ESV). Lastly, Paul reminds us that God has purposed
a certain sequence of events in our lives all leading to this glorious
end. This is what He has predetermined. “For those whom he foreknew he also
predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be
the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also
called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified
he also glorified.” (Romans
8:29–30, ESV)
Now in the middle of the promised help of the Spirit and the
predetermined plan, Paul reminds us that God is sovereignly ordaining such an
end to all circumstances in our lives that they ultimately become our good,
ergo, our glorification. The “good” can
only mean, in context, our glorification. “In the midst of the sufferings of this life, God has given us knowledge
that He is working every detail of life to the end established in His eternal
purpose.”[1]
The Heidelberg
Catechism states this so well. The first Question and Answer reads:
"What is Thy only comfort in life and death?"
The answer is:
"That I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own,
but belong unto my faithful Savior Jesus Christ; who, with his precious blood,
hath fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of
the devil; and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not
a hair can fall from my head; yea, that all things must be subservient to my
salvation, and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, he also assures me of eternal
life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto
him."
Romans 8:28 means that every single thing I experience in life as a
Christian has been so ordained by God that He means it to exist for the promotion
of my ultimate and promised salvation.
What enables us to hope in patience for the promised redemption of our
bodies – our glorification? It means
that no matter what trial comes our way, no matter what people say and do to
us; and no matter how we mess things up (Yes, even sin.), God so ordains it for
our ultimate good – our salvation. There
is no other comfort than that.
[1]
Hindson, E. E., & Kroll, W. M. (Eds.). (1994). KJV Bible Commentary (p. 2242). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
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