I think how we view Romans 8:28 says a lot about how we see God. What are your first thoughts when you read, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

At first reading that looks looks like the golden prosperity gospel verse. Superficially, it looks like God will take care of you and everything will work out just as you want it to work out. Life will be easy because God loves us.

But, the problem with that interpretation is that we are forgetting who wrote The Book of Romans. I don’t think anyone would say that Paul had what we would consider in present day America to be an easy, victory-laden life.

Let’s review, Paul was beaten, rejected, isolated, stoned, imprisoned, and killed. Wait, given those facts we may have lost many people who claim this verse. That is not their interpretation of all things working for good.

That is the point! God doesn’t view us as only temporary beings that are here today and gone tomorrow. He views us as we really are–eternal beings on our earthly pilgrimage. So, when God is talking about working for our good, He is talking about working for our eternal good and HIS will–not ours! His plans are what He is bringing about. Our good comes in fulfilling our part of His plan.

How blessed we are that He allows us to help Him bring about His work!

This week, your challenge is to read and meditate on Romans 8:28 daily and think of how God has worked for His good through your life. Even better would be to share with your spouse or a good friend how you have seen God working through them for His good! It is great to be an encourager!!

More to come,
Jeremy