“And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose,” Romans 8:28.
This verse seems to be a favorite Bible passage for most Christians. And I guess it is because it gives hope when things are difficult or life seems to be going in a direction we did not anticipate.
But we tend to take this verse as a stand-alone promise without any context. Do you know WHY all things work together for good? Let’s go to verse 26 and 27.
“..the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how we should pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes on behalf of the saints according to God’s will.”
God knows that we don’t know how to pray, because we can’t possibly know the things that will come against us or what things will be in our favor. So, He has provided a Helper! An Intercessor who knows what God wants for our lives and knows how to pray for us. And that is WHY all things will work together for our good. Without the Holy Spirit praying for us and comforting us, teaching us and pointing the way for us, we would be totally lost trying to navigate this life by ourselves!
Now, back to verse 28.
It says things will work for the good of those who are called according to His purposes. Who is called according His purposes? All who love God and want to serve Him are called, and if we are called then He has a purpose for us. But sometimes we might think that our plans and purposes are actually His plans and purposes. Growing up, we all had aspirations and hopes and plans, but those are not always His, and we will, sooner or later, find out that what we want is not always what He wants for us.
So, what do you think His purposes are for us? You will find the answer to that question in verse 29. “..For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son..” There it is! He wants us to become like JESUS! That is His purpose for us. And it doesn’t matter who you are, what your station in life is, your profession or career, we are all called to the same purpose! But, be aware. It doesn’t happen over-night. It is a life-long process, a daily walk being in His Word and in communication with Him. That is how we find out what He is like so that we can become like HIM.
So, whether you are a Preacher or a President; a Farmer or a Federal Agent; a Banker or a Barber; a Home Maker or a Homeless person, it doesn’t matter. God may have put you in those positions, but in those places your purpose is to be a shining representation of Christ. And that is not an easy task, but we have the Holy Spirit to help us, to pray for us, and to guide us. If we rely on Him, all things will work out for the good.
