All Things

Had a layover in Manchester and HAD to spend
the day with these two! 

Scripture:

Rom. 8:28   We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. ²⁹ For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family.  ³⁰ And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Observation:

Paul begins this phrase so emphatically — “We know!” This is a man who has been through struggle after struggle, and yet, he has the confidence to believe that there is a divine purpose for everything and everyone whom he has encountered in life. And that’s the point isn’t it — it’s a divine purpose. The ways of God are much higher than the ways of humankind, and this is an invitation to reflect upon the ways of God. This life that we live in the flesh is but a flicker in time. We hold onto the things of this world far too tightly, making it often difficult to see the divine purpose. 

Every human being is stamped with the image of God, and it is God’s purposeful plan and desire that we would all be a reflection of that image. Christ has made this possible through his incarnation. Chrysostom puts it this way, “What a superb honor! For what the only begotten Son was by nature, we have become by grace. Christ in his human nature has become the firstborn of many brethren, even though in his divine nature he remains the only begotten” (Homilies on Romans). 

This passage has been used to suggest that only a certain few are predestined to come to Christ. No, we are all marked with the image of God, and therefore, through prevenient grace God is constantly reaching out to all of humanity. We are all called to follow him. It is because of this calling that we may be justified. Yes, our sins can be made right because of the work of Christ. We can stand in  faith, justified before our Lord. 

Finally, the good is revealed in glorification. While for some, there may be an experience of glorification in this life, we know that we will be glorified in the life to come. However, every time Christ is lifted up, he is glorified in and through each one of us. 

Application:

This passage has been used and misused throughout Christian history. Any time we as humans utilize this passage to manipulate a situation, it is misused. It’s also been used to try and comfort those who are in the midst of grief. There is a time and a season for grieving. Paul wasn’t always happy about his circumstances, and there were times that he genuinely complained. However, he also took the time to try and find the good in what was happening in his life. 

Just the other day I was having a conversation with my brother about a particular personal circumstance. We both almost laughed out loud when he said, “Well, maybe God was in the midst of that decision!” Well yes — why would we be surprised that God may have been in the midst of a decision years ago that brings us to a particular place in this day? At the time the decisions were being made, they didn’t necessarily feel good, and there was a season of darkness and distress. I think the reminder from Paul is that when we can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, we are to hold on and persevere. Paul doesn’t leave us without any handles for our troubles, but instead, he leaves us with Christ. 

Far too often we fail to read past verse 28. That verse only stands on the humble activity of Christ who came in human flesh so that the image of God could be restored in all of us. Maybe the good of God in verse 28 is what is revealed in the glorification of verse 30. For God’s children, all things will lead us to glory, whether we understand them in this lifetime, or not. 

Prayer:

Lord, we hang onto the truth of all things, even in anxious times. We trust in you, as you lead us through to eventual glory. Amen.