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://biblehub.com/commentaries/romans/8-28.htm
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