Obedience and Romans 8:28

From the time I was 9 years old, I have had the small plaque below hanging somewhere in my room. This verse was the first I committed to memory and has served as a comfort in trying times.

I once thought Romans 8:28 was about "all things working out" and then moved to "God working in all situations." If good things are being made to happen, it is because God is at work, transforming "all things" into something it would not be on its own. I have always explained it as God taking something bad and turning it into something good. In looking at the surrounding verses, it also means that we go through trials and God’s purposes are not yet completely fulfilled (Romans 8:22-27). We are assured that God’s love never leaves us no matter what our situation if we love God in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:31-39). In turn, we have been promised a greater reward for us in the future for our sufferings in this life, if patiently endured. Paul indeed understood suffering.

Recently, Romans 8:28 has meant a great deal more to me. As I mentioned in my first blog post, I have been deeply studying the Old Testament and have been shown countless times the heart of God like never before. From this, one theme continues to emerge…obedience. Yes, to be obedient to God. To obey: complying with the command, direction, or request of another; submitting to the authority of. You know, that word we take out of marriage vows and cringe when we hear.

Romans 8:28 has always been about one larger plan, but understanding our role in this is more difficult. I have come to understand that this verse is about God working both with us and for us “work together” to bring about good in, and from, tough situations. By looking at the following verses 29 and 30, we see that the “good” is not our comfort, wealth, or health but it is to be conformed to the image of Christ to bring each Christian to glory. Yes folks, conformity is obedience.

His plan for our lives is met through our obedience. In the past, when I have sinned and fallen out of a relationship with Christ, my biggest regret was how many people the Lord could have used me to speak to in my path during those times. I have since seen something much more humbling; God is in charge and His “greater plan” will be met regardless. When we are called to God through Christ Jesus, accept Him, and grow in Him, He will use us in other people’s lives for His greater purpose. There are many examples in the Bible where God uses people He has called both before and after their disobedience.

Look at the life of Samson. He was born to a barren women chosen by God to lead Israel. God used Samson’s disobedience of marrying a Philistine (Judges 14) for the good of His people. God used his anger for His greater purpose. Later when Samson fell in love with Delilah, his disobedience cost him his life (Judges 16 4-31). He had fallen so low spiritually he couldn’t distinguish between Gods presence and absence. Even though the “Spirit came upon Samson” many times for strength that God used for His greater purpose, Samson’s anger and lack of self-control presented character flaws that led to Samson’s misery. Note that Sampson himself never received a blessing for his rebellious choice and regretted it.

While God’s spirit will never leave believers in Christ, his blessings may. That hinges on our obedience. God uses sinners for His purpose and glory. He doesn't always use who are worthy but doesn't always bless them. How much greater would Samson's blessing had been if he would have been obedient.

During one of the most sinful periods of my life, God used me to lead someone to Christ. Even in the midst of that sin, I was obedient in that second because I felt the Holy Spirit nudging me and leading me with what to say. The blessing to just witness God working in that way with my friend reminded me that sin was keeping me from experiencing even greater blessings like that. I had forgotten how powerful, yet gracious, He is. We look at our circumstances for our happiness but sin separates us from remembering the joy that obedience brings through a personal relationship with Christ.

King David was a great man of God but chose to disobey God and take Bathsheba as his own wife after having her husband killed. Their son died as a result of his disobedience. David went on to repent and serve God but lived with that pain. (2 Samuel 11-12:23)

God wants to save us from the hurt we experience when we aren’t obedient but there are real life consequences. He can use these to help us learn from our mistakes or as motivation to turn from sin. His guidelines are in place out of love and protection for us. He has shown me grace many times when my disobedient decisions could have had many more consequences.

God does not require us to understand his will, just obey it even if it seems unreasonable. The laws found in Leviticus for the Israelites were to keep them healthy and prosperous. Their disobedience kept them in the dessert forty years so God could wipe out the disobedient generation including Moses who never saw the promised land.

The amazing part is that He allows us to make mistakes but takes those and uses them for His glory. This requires faith in who He is, to obey him when we do not know where He is leading us. Fear and shame cause us to put up walls to others and live a life of denial instead of being obedient. It isolates us from others who He has sent to speak to us something we are not in a place to hear. We are so scared to let people see who we are or how we feel for fear of rejection or judgment that it keeps us from being honest with ourselves and God. 

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will council you with my loving eye on you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you” (Psalm 32.8-9). All things cannot work together for the good if we aren’t willing to listen, trust, and obey Him.

More readings on Romans 8:28 in context:

https://bible.org/article/do-all-things-really-work-together-good-romans-828-its-context
http://biblehub.com/commentaries/romans/8-28.htm

http://www.bible.ca/ef/expository-romans-8-28-30.htm

Praying for Your Friends

Since January, I have been studying the Old Testament and have had some things that have been on my heart.  Besides the more obvious theme of obedience for our own good, I continue to find examples of God’s heart when it comes to asking Him to help those we care about.  I have also seen how He continually acts for the sole purpose of having a personal relationship with us.  When His people seek the same, we find a real, two-way relationship with the living God.

In Genesis 18 and 19, God shared with Abraham that he would destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.  Abraham relentlessly asks God to save any of those righteous among the cities.  The Lord sent two angels to rescue Lot’s family (Abraham’s nephew).

When Moses spends 40 days/nights on Mount Sinai, receiving the 10 commandments from God, the Israelites became impatient and corrupt building a golden calf.  God became angry and told Moses to leave Him alone so His anger could burn against them and so He could destroy them.  Moses “sought the favor of the Lord” and petitioned God to turn from His fierce anger and asked Him to not bring disaster upon His chosen people.  Moses reminds the Lord of His former promises and work to deliver them from Egypt, reasoning with God.  The Lord then “relented and did not bring upon them, the disaster He had threatened” (Exodus 32: 7-14).

We can begin to see God’s grace multiply when His people show compassion and care for others.  We can directly speak to God, through prayer, because of what Jesus did for us on the cross.  I read a Moundy Thursday blog yesterday entitled The Greatest Prayer in the World by John Piper on http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/the-greatest-prayer-in-the-world-maundy-thursday.   Hebrews 5:7 says, “In the days of His flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of His reverence.”  “Being in agony he prayed more earnestly” (Luke 22:44). There aren’t many times where I have prayed this way for myself or my family, let alone for my friends.  Keep in mind that Jesus served His disciples, by washing their feet, before he went to pray for Himself (John 13: 1-17).

Look at the example of God allowing the great sufferings of His servant Job.  In Job 42: 7-11, even when Job’s friends blamed him for his afflictions, Job prayed for them.  After Job prayed for his friends, God lifted Job’s afflictions and blessed him even more greatly than before.  When our friends do us wrong, make us angry, or accuse us, is our first inclination to pray for them?!

What is reoccurring in these events is the personal relationship God wants with us. These men had personal contact with the Lord and a two-way relationship with Him.  He listens.  He acts in the best interest of us.  He knows our hearts and what is weighing on the minds of our friends.

You may say, “Who am I to pray for someone?” or “Why would God listen to me?”  God uses many people in the Bible who, like us, are disobedient sinners needing healing.  I have found that praying for my friends brings about healing, it makes forgiveness real, and it brings stronger faith and patience.  It is life changing for me and the lives of whom I pray for.  Most importantly, it cultivates a stronger relationship with the Lord.  Is it easier to pray only for the people who haven’t wronged you, yes.  Is it easier to focus on ourselves and our own issues, definitely.  However, asking God to bless your friends, with a servant’s heart, is an exponentially greater blessing.