ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD

We know 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

 

It’s a familiar passage of Scripture, but in the midst of the challenges and uncertainties of the days that unfold before us, we need to make sure we have a good grip upon its truth, because our tendency is to head toward the exits and wonder which way to go next.

The life of the Apostle Paul who wrote this Epistle was anything but what one might describe as “good”. He was beaten, imprisoned, plotted to be killed, stoned, persecuted, falsely accused, whipped, slandered, shipwrecked, among other things. Good? Yet Paul had strong conviction expressing words of hope about what Christ had done and all that He would do. Paul was not crazy when he said his hard life was good. The Apostle knew that God was and had been with him through it all, behind the scenes, encouraging him and transforming every condition and circumstance into something for  “good” and for God’s glory.

Paul says, “We know” not “We feel” or “We hope”.

“We know” God’s loving involvement in our lives for “good” is unquestionable, as far as St. Paul was concerned.

WE know that all things work together for good to those who love God. There is the seemingly innocuous condition to this promise which one might miss in reading this passage. This promise is true only “to those who love God”.  In the life of the believer who loves God, in the good, in the bad, in the ugly, in the joyful, the painful, the disappointing, God works all of these together for “good”. And “good” as he defines it. Which has to be a whole lot better than any good we can create.