Christians take much comfort from Paul’s words in Romans 8:28 – ‘We know that all things work together for good.’

But, equally, they are frequently puzzled and perplexed by these same words.  So often, they do not seem to match our experience.  Thus, they become, not the application of a soothing balm, but a rubbing in of salt in the wounds.

As is so often the case, context is king.  J.D. Greear helps us to place this gem of truth in its proper setting, so that it can shine more truly and more brightly.

1. What God has started, he is going to finish

According to verses 29 and 30, ‘those whom [God] foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified.’

The future glorification of God’s people is secure, because it can be traced back to his having marked them out from eternity past.  Your are loved by God.  He has adopted you as his child.  The best of earthly fathers may fail us, but our heavenly Father has pledged never to do so.

2. God is using all things to make you more like Jesus

Too often, we set our sights too low.  We suppose the ‘good’ which is promised here is what we ourselves count as ‘good’: that our suffering will be taken away, that our circumstances will be altered, that our broken relationships will be healed.

Well, such things may happen.  But the promise runs deeper and wider than that.  Verse 29 says – ‘We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.’  And what is that purpose?  That we should be ‘conformed to the image of his Son.‘  God’s intention for your life is not to change your circumstances, necessarily, but to change you.  It is to make you more like Jesus.

3. At the end of the story is the redemption of the body

According to verses 22-24, ‘we know that the whole creation groans and suffers together until now. Not only this, but we ourselves also, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we eagerly await our adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved.’

In this life, suffering is inevitable.  But it is not everlasting.  Our bodies, along with the present world they inhabit, frail, aging, aching.  But they will be renewed.  Our resurrection bodies will never grow old, never suffer disease, never let us down.  Just as our Saviour was raised in his body, so shall we be raised.

In the light of this, the apostle – who knew so much suffering himself – was able to refer to the worst that we can experience as ‘this light and momentary affliction’ (2 Corinthians 4:17).

‘You may not see it in this life, but not a single second of your suffering is wasted. Not one thing happens in your life that the goodness of our God will not one day transform into glory.  In a world consumed by pain, corruption, and futility, this is hope you can cling to for life.’

Based on this post by J.D. Greear.

[This post was first published on 4th July 2020]