Romans 8:28 is one of the most frequently quoted verses in the Bible. Let’s take a closer look at this powerful verse and explore some of the profound insights it offers, along with the verses that follow.
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose (Romans 8.28).
I used to drive through southern Mississippi and Louisiana late at night when the only thing you could pick up on the radio was AM stations. One of the late-night preachers I often heard was Reverend Ike, broadcasting from a Clear Channel Station in Del Rio, Texas. I’d often hear him say, “You can’t lose with the stuff I use.”
In a way, Reverend Ike had it right. When we’re called by God and live in a loving relationship with Him, we can’t lose. In the end, God will take care of everything.
If you’ve been around for a while, you’ve likely noticed that this favorite Bible verse is sometimes misused. It’s not appropriate to tell someone who has suffered a tragedy that “everything will work out in the end.” While this may be true, it can come across as very insensitive.
Another issue is overlooking that “everything working out for good” applies to those who are living in a loving relationship with God and are called according to His purposes. In other words, they are walking in alignment with God’s will, and no matter what happens, they can trust that God will take care of them.
In today’s YouTube video, I mentioned to Rudy Ross that it’s difficult to say “all things work together for good” when bombs are dropping from the sky. Some of God’s blessings must be deferred until His final judgment.
At that time, He will settle our accounts and reward us for our faithful service.
Your Destiny
The next two verses have often been part of discussions about predestination and human free will. Instead of digging into those complex topics, I invite you to consider that God has a destiny for you.
This destiny was established before the foundation of the world, and God is actively working throughout history to bring it to fruition.
And what is that destiny? It is nothing less than to be conformed to the image of Christ.
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.
And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified (Romans 8.29-30).
I am deeply grateful to Dallas Willard and Richard Foster for helping me grasp the beauty of this passage. There is no greater place to be than to be like the Son of God’s love.
Dallas Willard describes several qualities of Jesus: He is the wisest man ever, has the best personality, and possesses the greatest sense of humor. Willard continues with a list of qualities that I can’t fully recall, but they’re all attributes that any thoughtful person would want to incorporate into their life.
When we consider the final word, “glorified,” what does it mean? It means nothing less than being like Jesus. This is our destiny, as long as we cooperate with the One who loved us and gave His Son for us.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross and I discussed this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 