ALL Things

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (NKJV)

Romans Chapter 8 is wrapping up a section of the book where Paul’s focus is on the Holy Spirit’s redemptive work in the life of the Christian.

Chapter 5 focuses on our justification and the fact that we are no longer under condemnation because of our relationship with Jesus. He discusses that we will still have trials and tribulations. The difference for the Christian is that these difficulties are not meaningless any longer. They help build our perseverance, character and hope. Paul ends the chapter reiterating our justification by describing our death because of Adam and our new life in Christ Jesus.

Chapter 6 describes the newfound freedom from sin and encourages the Christian to live in this freedom by submitting to God instead of sin.

Chapter 7 tells the Christian how to rightly interpret the law. Because we are now freed from the yoke of the law, we must look back and understand more fully its purpose. God used the law to show us our sin and our need for a savior because we have never been able to fulfill the entire law on our own power.

Chapter 8 discusses the fact that we are now free from our sin when we choose to allow The Holy Spirit to dwell inside of us and help us to choose righteousness instead of sin. Verses 12-17 discuss our adoption by God the Father. In this culture, adoption was huge. An adopted son is treated 100% the same as a bloodborne son under the eyes of Roman law and the adopted son receives all the same rights as a natural son. Therefore, we are sons and daughters of God because He chose us! Prior to today’s verse, Paul says “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (v18 NKJV). Despite all we’ve just discussed, there will still be trials and tribulations in the life of the Christian. However, we can look at these differently than the world does because we have an eternal mindset and worldview.

“ALL things work together for the good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (v 28 NKJV) There is nothing ambiguous about this statement. ALL things, the painful things, the hurtful things, the uncomfortable things, will work to our good. We must start viewing the more difficult things through this lens in our lives because they are part of a bigger picture.

Questions for Reflection

1. In what area of your life right now is it hardest to trust that God is working behind the scenes for a purpose?

2)How does shifting your definition of "good" from personal comfort to spiritual growth change the way you view your current difficulties?