Scripture Read: Romans 8:28-30 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.
Application: This is a passage that almost every believer knows. Sadly it is misunderstood so many times, either through wrong application or not thinking through what the words are really saying -
Work together - συνεργέω sunergéō; fellow worker, cooperate, contribute to an end or a goal
Good - ἀγαθός agathós; Good and benevolent, profitable, useful, beneficial.
Purpose - πρόθεσις próthesis; A setting forth, presentation, an exposition, determination, plan, or will. It involves purpose, resolve, and design. [1]
We must remember that this verse does NOT say everything is good. It states that everything can Work for good. The other reality we must face is that it is from God’s perspective not ours! The working together and the purpose all are centralized in the design He has in our lives, not what our desires and wants dictate. That is why sometimes when we try to comfort ourselves during a bad circumstance using this verse it does not seem to help. We are trying to see how all the details in the end will be to our advantage – forgetting that it is not our advantage that is being considered – it is His advantage. How will it benefit what God desires. That is hard for many but it must be faced. This life is about Him, not us. Our flesh hates that, but we should celebrate that truth in reality. He desires only the best for those He loves. That brings Him delight and joy. Let’s not forget that the great freedom we have and always like to hold up as our “right” is the reason we have problems in the first place. If He did not allow our freedom – sin would never have entered. So our Dad, allowing our freedom works our sin and His mercy, grace, teaching, judgment, etc. all together and turns it into something good for His ultimate purpose – which in the end – whether we see it now or not – will be to our advantage in eternity. This is a great verse and very comforting – and all the more when we see it from His perspective, not ours!
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