1. The Connection to the Promise, “and”
A. It is Not a Conclusion
If the first word of this verse was “therefore,” we would look for a conclusion.
B. It is Not a Contrast
If it were, “but,” we would look for some kind of contrast to what had just been written.
C. It is a Connection
“And” tells us that Paul wants us to see the connection between what he has been saying and what he is about to say.
2. The Certainty of the Promise, “we know”
3. The Completeness of the Promise, “all things”
4. The Continuity of the promise, “work together”
5. The Content of the Promise, “for good”
6. The Condition of the Promise, “to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
7. The Consequences of the Promise, 29, 30
A. Our Glorification
B. God’s Glory
C.S. Lewis in God in the Dock, (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1970) writes: “In ‘Hamlet’ a branch breaks and Ophelia is drowned. Did she die because the branch broke or because Shakespeare wanted her to die at that point in the play? Either—both—whichever you prefer. The alternative suggested by the question is not a real alternative at all—once you have grasped that Shakespeare is making the whole play.”
God is more sovereign than Shakespeare. He uses the free will of man to fulfill His purpose.
∙ He uses the hatred of Joseph’s brothers to save a nation.
∙ He used wicked people in the crucifixion of Christ to save the Lost.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
1. The Connection to the Promise, “And”
A. Not a conclusion
∙ If the first word of this verse was “therefore,” we would look for a conclusion.
B. Not a contrast
∙ If it were, “but,” we would look for some kind of contrast to what had just been written.
C. It is a connection
∙ “And” tells us that Paul wants us to see the connection between what he has been saying and what he is about to say.
The sovereignty of God, of which Paul is speaking in verses 28-30, must be understood in relationship to the spiritual life and specifically to suffering (verses 18-27). The sovereignty of God has many avenues of application, but here Paul applies it to suffering.
2. The Certainty of the Promise, “we know”
Paul does not say here, “I know.” He says instead, “We know.” The “we” speaks of both Paul and the entire Roman church. Paul is saying, “All Christians know this …” The truth of which Paul speaks is a truth he believes is universally held by all Christians.
It is also appropriate to infer that the truth taught here is not one understood or believed by non-Christians.
“We know …” A definite note of certainty is here. Paul does not say, “we think,” or “we hope,” but rather, “We know.”
Paul was convinced that all, including him, knew and believed God’s sovereignty.
He does not assume that Christians knew all the truth, but he did assume that the Roman saints knew of the sovereignty of God.
3. The Completeness of the Promise,
“all things” all things=all things
We have seen that “all” means that everything which affects the life of the Christian is under God’s control and thus is a part of God’s will for us. God causes “all things” to work together for our good.
We are much more willing to attribute the pleasant events of our life to the hand of God than we are the painful experiences.
We find it difficult to believe that an act of deliberate cruelty intended by the offender to hurt us is really being used by God for our good.
If we are to take Paul’s words in Romans 8:28 literally and seriously, we must face the fact that “all things” includes those things which we find painfully unpleasant. We may even think they are unbearable.
“All things” includes the sin of others and even our own sins.
“All things” means there is nothing which falls outside of God’s control and which works contrary to our good.
Not one thing falls outside of God’s control. “All things” are caused to work together so that God’s will—our good—is accomplished.
The supreme illustration of God’s turning "all things," even the most evil of things, to the good of His children is seen in the sacrificial death of His own Son. In the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. God took the most absolute evil that Satan could devise and turned it into the greatest conceivable blessing He could offer to fallen mankind—eternal salvation from sin.
4. The Continuity of the promise, “work together”
God does not necessarily bring into our lives those things which are, in and of themselves, good. He often brings into our lives those things which are painful which cause us to groan.
Often these unpleasant experiences are the result of our own folly or sin. Sometimes we may suffer through no fault or failure of our own. Our Lord’s suffering was not due to any sin on His part. The chastening of the Father is not necessarily that which we have experienced because of our sin or disobedience (see Hebrews 12:1-13).
“God causes all things to work together”
While God permits things to happen which displease Him, He does not allow anything to happen which is contrary to His sovereign purpose.
Taken individually, the events and circumstances God allows may not, in and of themselves, appear to be of any value or good to the Christian. But Paul does not say that each event is good or even that each incident will produce that which is good. He informs us that all of the events, working together, produce what is good.
To illustrate, the ingredients which go into a cake are not very tasty when eaten individually. Flour, sugar, shortening, eggs, salt, baking powder, and spices are not something we want to eat one ingredient at a time. But mix all of these together in just the right proportions, and then bake the combined mixture, and you have a delicious treat. Each event in our life is like one ingredient in a cake. It may not seem good, by itself, but when mixed by God with other correct events, it will surely produce what is good.
Paul speaks here of God’s sovereignty in terms of His choosing and blending of all of our experiences, in such a way as to produce that which is good. God causes all things to “work together” for good. This means we cannot judge the goodness of God’s work until His program is finished. Have you ever been too hasty in testing the cake batter? Almost always the result is unsatisfactory.
My life is but a weaving
Between my Lord and me,
I cannot choose the colors
He worketh steadily.
Ofttimes He weaveth sorrow,
And I in foolish pride
Forget He sees the upper,
And I, the underside.
Not till the loom is silent
And the shuttle cease to fly
Shall God unroll the canvas
And explain the reason why.
The dark threads are as needful
In the Weaver’s skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned. —Grant Colfax Tullar
Think of the incredible power of God suggested and required by the truth of His sovereignty.
∙ Since all things “work together” then the more things included in the category of “all things,” the greater God’s power and control must be.
It is difficult for anyone to orchestrate several different events at one time—just try patting your head and rubbing your stomach at the same time. But God controls all of the events in the life of every believer. More than this, God controls what He is doing in the life of one believer in such a way as to harmonize with what He is doing in the lives of all the rest. Such a task is beyond human comprehension. It is a task only a God with infinite power can accomplish.
5. The Content of the Promise, “for good”
It is vital that we understand the term “good,” or we will completely reverse the meaning of this verse.
What it doesn’t mean
for good, What is good? Money? Circumstances?
Example: Lady found out she had cancer because she broke her arm.
Example: college student that couldn’t take the right class work and pay his bill, met his wife in the class he had to take and the girls dad paid his bill.
In the June, 1980 issue of Our Daily Bread, I told how a Christian providentially escaped death. An unexpected delay in New York kept him from catching Flight 191 in Chicago, which crashed with all 254 aboard. That article brought this note from a reader: “I just had to let you know about one of God’s great saints who ran to make Flight 191—and made it!” His name was Edwards E. Elliott, beloved pastor of the Garden Grove Orthodox Presbyterian Church in California. His plane from Pennsylvania was late, and a friend who had accompanied him to Chicago said he last saw him “dashing forward” in the terminal to make his connection. As I read about Pastor Elliott’s fruitful ministry, the question I raised in that June devotional challenged me with new urgency: “Was Divine providence operating only in New York and not in Chicago?” Immediately the words of my correspondent came alive: “At the time, Reverend Elliott didn’t know he was indeed running to Heaven...Mrs. Elliott and her four married children comforted the entire church. Their Christian faith and testimony in sorrow was most extraordinary.” - D.J.D.
—Quoted by Charles Swindoll, Growing Strong, p. 268
It is vital that we understand the term “good,” or we will completely reverse the meaning of this verse.
∙ Asaph, the psalmist who penned Psalm 73, went through a period of great anguish and anger toward God because he failed to understand the meaning of “good.”
∙ A portion of this psalm is cited to illustrate the importance of correctly defining the term “good.”
73:1 A Psalm of Asaph. Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.
Asaph began this psalm by affirming that though God is good he almost slipped.
2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
Problem so vexing, so unanswerable
∙ almost lost faith,
∙ almost returned to the World,
∙ almost decided wickedness paid,
∙ almost decided you have to be crooked to succeed.
Steroids in football. Soap Opera characters who can live loosely seemingly without side effects, no guilt, no harm to others, most problems solved in one episode.
∙ Part of the problem is a definition problem (what does “good” mean?). (v. 14, 22)
3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.
5 They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.
6 Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.
7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
8 They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.
9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
12 Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
13 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.
15 If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.
16 When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;
17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.
18 Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.
19 How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
20 As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.
His regret
21 Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
22 So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.
23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.
24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
27 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.
28 But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works. (Psalm 73:1-9, 12-28).
Asaph’s first words were “God is good to Israel.” He is also good to those who are pure in heart.
∙ But Asaph was wrong in his definition of “good,” for he thought good must be understood in terms of peace, prosperity, and a comfortable life.
∙ He thought of good in terms of pleasure and the absence of pain and more in terms of this present life than of eternity.
Asaph thought this way until (17) he came to the sanctuary of God. There he began to view life from the divine perspective and from the vantage point of eternity rather than in terms of this present age.
From the divine perspective, the “good life” of the wicked was uncertain and incredibly short.
∙ He now saw “good” in terms of intimacy with God. He could say, “it is good for me to draw near to God.”
∙ He recognized that while his sufferings drew him nearer to God,
∙ the prosperity of the wicked only drew them further from Him.
∙ Asaph’s definition of “good” changed from a warm, fuzzy feeling now to enjoying God’s presence, now and for all eternity.
∙ He saw that if suffering draws one nearer to God, it is not evil but good.
∙ He recognized that if prosperity and the absence of pain turns one from God, that is evil.
∙ His definition of “good” made the difference.
∙ We must be very careful to define “good” as Asaph came to understand it, in terms of eternity and in terms of intimacy with God.
The truth of Romans 8:28 is illustrated in the lives of many biblical characters. Let me suggest two illustrations.
First, consider Joseph as a very positive illustration of Romans 8:28. Joseph was cruelly sold into slavery by his brothers. They acted sinfully out of jealousy. Joseph was treated badly by others. He was not kindly treated by his father (his favoritism was no favor to Joseph). He was not treated fairly by Potiphar, and especially by Mrs. Potiphar. He was not treated kindly by the king’s cup bearer. He could have wallowed in the suffering which he experienced. And yet Joseph seemed to understand the truth of Romans 8:28 better than we. He could tell his brothers, “You meant it for evil, but God meant it for GOOD” (see Genesis 45:5; 50:20).
Belief in the sovereignty of God, at work for his good in the midst of his suffering, encouraged Joseph to be faithful, to look to God and to the future for his final “good.” It enabled him to forgive his brothers, knowing that God’s gracious hand was behind their sinful actions.
We can see a more negative illustration of Romans 8:28 in the life of Jonah. Jonah was a man who came to expect and even demand “good” from God. The “good” which he demanded was his own pleasure and comfort and the destruction of those who were his enemies, even those who were innocent. He forgot that the “good” God is bringing about is the result of His grace and not human merit. God was good to Jonah, by working in his life through a great fish, through pagan seamen, through a plant, and even through a worm. God was gracious not to destroy the Ninevites but even more so not to destroy Jonah. He was gracious to allow Jonah to suffer so that his sin might become more evident and repentance might result (whether it came or not, we do not know).
These two men, Joseph and Jonah, provide us with contrasting illustrations of the truth of Romans 8:28. Joseph is a good example of acting in accordance with the truth of our text. Jonah is a good example of God’s acting in accordance with the truth of our text in spite of Jonah’s sin. In both cases, however, let us remember that God’s will was accomplished, just as He had purposed and promised. God fulfilled His promise when Joseph was faithful. He also fulfilled His promise and purpose when Jonah rebelled. God’s purposes are always fulfilled.
If you are a Christian, the good which God promised you will surely be accomplished. It is as certain as the fact that Jonah arrived at Nineveh. You cannot prevent God from fulfilling His promises to you and His purposes for you. Whether in spite of your sin, like Jonah, or with your cooperation and obedience, like Joseph, the good God has purposed will be accomplished.
I have said, “You can get to Nineveh first class or tourist, but when God purposes for you to go to Nineveh, you will arrive there.” If you choose to sin and to disobey God, there will be many painful experiences. You will not recognize God’s hand, but He will be at work causing all things to work together for your good. If you choose to obey God, you will still suffer tribulation as Joseph did. The difference will be that you will know God’s hand is at work and that God’s purpose and promises are certain to be fulfilled. In disobedience, you will fail to experience the joy and the hope which God gives to those who trust and obey Him.
6. The Condition of the Promise,
“to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
7. The Consequences of the Promise, 29, 30
Verse 28 is not a verse designed for your happiness!
A. Our Glorification
Illustrations of people who’s circumstances worked out. Is that an example of this verse? NO!
∙ God’s purpose in turning everything to good is not to bless you, make you happy, or make you wealthy.
∙ God is doing all that He does to make you more like Jesus! God didn’t finish with you at salvation. He will continue to shape you until you reflect His image perfectly.
29 ¶ For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO BE JUSTIFIED AND THEN FAIL TO BE GLORIFIED!
∙ The goal described as “good” in verse 28 is our glorification. In verse 29 this same goal was described as our being “conformed to the image of his Son.” LET US THANK GOD FOR HIS PROMISE, NOT ONLY TO SAVE US, BUT TO KEEP US SAVED UNTIL WE ARRIVE IN HEAVEN!
Between the start and finish of God’s plan are five steps: and in the process not a single person is lost. God completes His plan without slippage. “Glorified” is in the past tense because this final step is so certain that in God’s eyes it is as good as done.
“The most daring verse in all of the Bible.”
An interesting story by Nathaniel Hawthorne that has always intrigued me is “The Great Stone Face.” A boy named Ernest is its central character. His mother told him in his earliest years about an ancient legend of their valley. She said, “Someday a man will arise, born in this neighborhood, whose countenance will resemble the great stone face which you see on the side of that distant mountain.” As Ernest looked at the far-off ridge, he saw in the craggy rocks what appeared to be the features of a fine and noble individual. From then on, he spent hours concentrating on that inspiring sight. He longed for the day when he might see a real face as kind and wise as that. Carefully he scrutinized various ones in the village like Mr. Gathergold, General Blood and Thunder, and the one they called “the Poet.” Each time, however, he was disappointed. Yet he never became discouraged in his search, but faithfully performed his daily duties with cheerfulness, always seeking to be helpful to others. His many good deeds increasingly won for him the love and respect of all. One evening after many years had passed, while he was speaking to a group of neighbors, his countenance was lighted by the setting sun.
Suddenly the one called “the Poet” pointed to him and exclaimed, “Look! There’s the man who resembles the Great Stone Face!” And so it was! In the exercise of his faith and the pursuit of kindness and duty, Ernest himself had fulfilled the legend.
Do you want to be like Jesus?
Set your affections on the things of the Spirit, and through the Spirit mortify the deeds of the body.
B. Gods Glory
The ultimate goal is to exalt the Lord Jesus Christ,
firstborn among many brethren
bringing praise to God through the exaltation of His son.
Firstborn, priority and supremacy
the goal of our sanctification is that we become trophies of grace.
The hymn God Moves in a Mysterious Way has been a source of great comfort and blessing to many of God’s people since William Cowper wrote it in the 18th century. Yet few people know of the unusual circumstances that led to its composition.
William Cowper was a Christian, but he had sunk to the depths of despair. One foggy night he called for a horse drawn carriage and asked to be taken to the London Bridge on the Thames River. He was so overcome by depression that he intended to commit suicide. But after 2 hours of driving through the mist, Cowper’s coachman reluctantly confessed that he was lost. Disgusted by the delay, Cowper left the carriage and decided to find the London Bridge on foot. After walking only a short distance, though, he discovered that he was at his own doorstep! The carriage had been going in circles. Immediately he recognized the restraining hand of God in it all. Convicted by the Spirit, he realized that the way out of his troubles was to look to God, not to jump into the river. As he cast his burden on the Savior, his heart was comforted. With gratitude he sat down and penned these reassuring words: “God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform; He plants His footsteps in the sea, and rides upon the storm. O fearful saints, fresh courage take, the clouds you so much dread are big with mercy, and shall break in blessings on your head.”
