God Has, Is, and Will Work All Things For Your Good. Believe it!
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
The Overall Argument of Romans Explained
Paul is unashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God for Jew and Gentile who come to Christ. This gospel (lit. “good news) presupposes that there is bad news. That is what is described in 1:18-3:20. Sin is so bad and God’s Law is so holy that we are in a terrible predicament. The only remedy is by saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone (3:21-31). Only He has fulfilled the Law. And, only He can bear the curse of the Law broken by us. Therefore, Christ is sufficient for all who came before Him and all who come after Him (4:1-25). They merely need faith to trust in God’s promise of salvation.
Because of that we can be absolutely sure that not only can we be saved in this life but we will for sure make it home to glory (5:1-8:39). Despite all our sin and suffering the grace of God is so great that He doesn’t depend upon us in order that we might make it to heaven. The guarantee of this is that God chose us even before time began—before any works were done (9:1-29). And within time and history He has brought the gospel to us through the preaching of His Word (9:30-11:36). This brings us to a major point in 11:36 where it says, “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.”
It is this gospel of grace that transforms the way we live in the church and toward those outside the church. By the mercies of God (described in chs. 1-11), we must have a biblical worldview that changes the way we live (12:1-2). This includes the way we view the big things and the “small” things in life.
The Section of Romans 5-8 Explained
In chapters 5-8, we have seen that because we are united to Christ—the Second Adam—we are in a sure covenant of grace that can’t be ruined by our sin nor suffering (5:1-21). Regardless of what we suffer and how we sin, Christ is so much our Surety that the God who predestined us before time began is surely going to bring us to glory (8:31-39). To summarize this section: God is undefeated in saving, sanctifying, and glorifying all His elect despite anything that comes their way.
The Logic of Romans 8 Explained
Everything above frames the way we understand Romans 8 and in particular 8:28. Romans 8 begins by telling us that despite all our sin before and during the Christian life there is always now no condemnation once we come to Christ (8:1-4). And because of that reality we can and must live by the Spirit and not by the flesh (8:5-17). We must seek to mortify sin and vivify life with God. Nevertheless, that also involves a life of suffering (8:18-25). Because of sin even creation is affected and longs for the revealing of the sons of God on the day of Judgment. But, once again, despite their sin and suffering, the God who has predestined them is the God who will most certainly glorify them (8:26-30). He won’t lose anyone. Therefore, nothing within them or with-out them can separate them from His love (8:31-39).
Romans 8:28 Explained
This verse begins with “And we know”. This verb for “we know” is in the perfect tense which means a past event with current effect. It is a verb saying that we have known this truth in the past and everything about it is relevant today. It will never become irrelevant for those who are in Christ.1 In other words, it’s almost like a creed for Christians. It’s a statement of faith. It’s worldview language.
And what do “we know”? “And we know that…” Don’t skip over that word too quickly. What is “that” referring to? It’s referring to the fact that (no pun intended) this “that” is a truth that is known, recognized, and embraced. In other words, we know this is a fact. We know this is not an “if” but a sure reality.
What is the “that”? It is “that for those who love God all things works together for good”. This is a loaded statement. John Murray says that the phrase “those who love God” is in the position of emphasis in this verse. It makes it very clear that this fact is only for those who love God. This is only for Christians. At the same time, this is for every Christian.
And what happens for those who love God? By the context, it is clear that God in His sovereignty is the one who works all things for good. This is not some sort of blind fate. This is not a Deistic understanding of God where He is distant and things in themselves are working for our good. God alone is sovereign. He is transcendent and immanent. He is the one who is working all things.2
To “work together” is where our word “synergy” comes from. At all times, never ceasing His sovereign redemption, God is actively at work to reverse the curse of our sin and suffering in such ways as is glorifying to Him and for the good of us. In other words, God is working with3 the very sin and suffering in our lives. He is never the author of sin or evil. But, He is so good, sovereign, wise, and holy that He can and does work with our very sin and suffering to produce the opposite effect.4
And toward what end is God working all things? He is working them “for good”. It means a desirable outcome. Toward a pleasing end. A result that is suitable for the glory of God and the good of His elect.
So What?
If we belong to Christ then we must know that God is never intimidated by our worst sins or our most debilitating suffering. None of our decisions can mess up God’s sovereign plan. Nothing we do can force Him to develop a Plan B. None of our stupidity can thwart His wisdom. None of our sin can overturn His grace. None of our wickedness can exhaust His forgiveness. None of our unbelief can quench His promises. None of our suffering can conquer His providence. Nothing that we do or someone else does to us can take us out of His will that is for our eternal good.
This past week I have been talking with numerous people in our local jail who have made a mess of their lives. They, like the rest of us, have a profound mixture of their own sin and suffering. Numerous times I have heard these men say they know the reason why God has allowed them to be in jail. They confess their sins. They don’t water it down. They agree with God about their wickedness.
But, their answer to why they’re in jail is not a picture of a God who is harshly meting out justice or wrath upon them. They speak to me about the Covenant Keeper who is full of steadfast love and mercy. They revel in the full forgiveness of their sins. They unashamedly embrace the promises of cleansing and forgiveness in Christ. They even boldly declare that they know that as long as they are in jail or prison that God will bring them to the people they need to minister the gospel to.
That’s a statement of faith. That’s a worldview. That’s faith in God’s promises.
What hardships are you going through? What sins are plaguing your conscience? Are you telling yourself the full story of the gospel? Are you living by faith in the God who rose Christ from the dead?
Can He not take your deadness and bring life? Can He not take your nothingness and speak life into it?
The question is not “if” but “how”?
Robert Haldane in his commentary says, “This [‘we know’] does not mean that believers know it merely in a speculative manner, but that it is a knowledge which enters into their heart and affections, producing in them confidence in its truth. It is a knowledge of faith which implies certainty and self-application, by which the believer not only knows but applies the promises of God, and is able to say, This promise is mine, it belongs to me. For otherwise, what advantages would there be in a general knowledge of this fact? where would be its consolation, and where its practical use?…The experience, too, of the believer brings home to his mind the conviction of this encouraging truth.” Robert Haldane, Romans (Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 2014), 391.
“It is the sovereign guidance of God that is presumed as the undergirding and directing force behind all the events of life. This being so, it does not finally matter all that much whether we translate “all things work together for good” or “God is working in and through all things for good.” Douglas J. Moo, The Epistle to the Romans (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1996), 528.
Not in the sense of partnership or in needing help. But, in the sense of a potter working with the clay that he has. He is using the very things in our lives rather than other things.
“We would expect that Paul has particularly in mind the ‘sufferings of the present time’ (v. 18; cf. vv. 35–37), but the scope should probably not be restricted. Anything that is a part of this life—even our sins—can, by God’s grace, contribute toward ‘good.’” Moo, 529.
Haldane says, “All things, whatever they be—all things indefinitely—are here intended…These words teach believers that whatever may be the number and overwhelming character of adverse circumstances, they are all contributing to conduct them into the possession of the inheritance provided for them in heaven…Even the sins of believers work for their good, not from the nature of sin, but the goodness and power of Him who brings light out of darkness.” Haldane, 391-393.