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Romans 8:28
This verse of Romans 8:28 has led many people to believe that everything that happens to someone during their physical life is destined to be good. The problem is that when something bad happens, many people lose faith in God because something bad happening to someone would be contradicting to this verse. But that is not the proper context of this verse. First of all, we live in a sinful world where bad things happen – we will have trials and tribulations as long as we remain in this earthly, humanistic world.
Paul teaches us in this verse (Romans 8:28, NKJV), “we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” This is for, “those who love God” (Romans 8:28a). And also for, “those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28b).
This is a promise, “that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).
Do you love God? Are you seeking His will for your life and striving to follow where He is leading you? Are you sure about that? God does not call us to follow Him just when we feel like it or when we are having a bad day and really need His help. He calls us to a new life in Christ Jesus. He calls us to seek His guidance each day of our lives. He calls us to have a new heart that is cleansed through the blood of Christ Jesus that He shed for us on the cross. He calls us to be living, physical examples of Christ Jesus in the world today. Only you and God truly know where your heart is in your relationship with Him. If you desire that all things work together for your good, I hope and pray that you are striving to grow in your relationship with God each day, and that your love for Him in Christ Jesus is true to your calling – in Christ.
We must also realize, “that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28) is a statement of God’s will for your life, and that may or may not always be what you might call good. Sometimes God puts us in situations that we may not believe is a good thing but is so that we may grow in our relationship with Him. Please keep in mind that this is not according to our will, but God’s will for our lives. However, He did promise to be with us through the trials and tribulations of this world if we will put and keep our faith in Him (John 14:18, 23-24).
Dear LORD,
We know that it is Your will for everything in our lives to be good. But we also know that we live in a sinful world that is full of things that are not good. You have promised that all things work together for good to those who love You, to those who are the called according to Your purpose (Romans 8:28). Please help us to strive to be seeking Your will for our lives each day, even through the things in which we may think are not so good, that we would grow in our relationships with You through putting and keeping our faith in our Savior Jesus whom You sent to save us all from sin. In Jesus name I pray, amen.