All Things Work Together for Good
“In God’s great plan, all moments blend,
Even trials we faced, He’ll surely mend.
Apart from our suffering and tribulation,
Shaping us for good is His provision”
This is without controversy, Romans 8:28 is one of the most beloved texts in the entire bible. God is at work, circumstantially and providentially, in every detail, circumstance, or situation of life. We are not just saved by grace through faith then God left us to live randomly in this corrupted world.
Paul addresses the challenges believers face in the fallen world, acknowledging the reality of suffering, tribulation, and weakness. Romans 8:28 serves as comfort & hope, proving that God works all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose, saying — “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” God is not only the Creator of all things, but He is in control of all things for our good.
1. The Confidence — “And we know” — every believer must know the truth in this verse, Paul assumes that the Roman believers had been well taught, that he can say “And we know” — this is basic for all believers we should know what we believe. Knowing without doubt, with conviction, and so convinced that this is for sure.
2. The Coverage — “that all things” — the subject here is ALL THINGS…work together for good. There’s nothing excluded outside of all things! All is covered here, whether good or bad, blessing or cursing, prosperity or poverty, success or failure! This is ALL THINGS… everything is included in this ALL THINGS…
“And we know that all things work together for good” — God is driving these “all things” to work together for good. Romans 11:36 declares: “For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory forever. Amen.” — All things are coming from Him, and through Him– God is causing these “all things” to work together for good…
3. The Consistency — “work together for good” –notice its present tense; this is very important to know. Don’t just memorize this verse without acknowledging His consistency. In all things, God makes them all to “work together for good”. He doesn’t do this once a year and then wait another year to do it again. No… God is not a spectator; He is actively working to bring all things in our lives together for good! God is concerned with all concerns and never sleeps or slumbers.! (Psalms 121:2–4)
But take note Not all things are good! (Isaiah 5:20) God is not the author of evil, God is not the author of sin! But the good, bad, evil, disappointments, heartaches, discontentment, anxiety, brokenhearted, trials, tragedy, and losses, as well as the victory and the triumphs, he collects all these things and works together, weaving it all… so that the consequence, the result is for good… Only God can do that… That good is that you & I are progressively becoming more & more like Christ.
4. The Committed — “to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose “ — every BAB loved God. Before we’re converted, we ignored, rejected, hated, and don’t know the true God. Like Paul, we were running away from God. Loving is a mark of a BAB; it is impossible to confess that you know God & yet you don’t know how to love! 1John 4:8 “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”
Let me ask you challenging questions tonight:
1. Do you love God? — because this is the defining mark of a true child of God who receives the promise in Romans 8:28
2. Do you trust God? — In a corrupted fallen world, trusting in God’s work for good amid suffering, trials, persecutions, famine, and difficulties is crucial.
3. Do you thank God in every situation you have tonight? No wonder 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” Everything we are experiencing today was meant to happen for good. But what is good? Is good financially rich? Physically healthy? Find a job with a high salary?
In v29, God defines it: “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many” — there is no greater good in our life than to become more like Jesus Christ — that good is conformity to Christ! God is working on collecting all things together to make us more like Jesus Christ. That good is that you and I are progressively becoming more & more like Christ. That is for good…
