Romans 8:28: "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."
I'd put money on the reality that this is probably one of the top 5 most quoted Scriptures by followers of Jesus. Yes, we know which passage is quoted most by unbelievers and those not so faithful to The Lord, " Judge not, that you will not be judged." I say that with a bit of laughter while I type. The latter is neither here nor there for this blog, but I thought I'd add a little levity before getting to the more profound truth.
First, this is a promise designated for a specific people. "Those who love God." They are defined as "those who are the called according to His purpose." Who are those who love God? This is important to understand. I am not qualifying those who love God through an opinion I hold. The Bible offers the prescription. It is not one we can quarrel over; it is decisive. John 14:21: "Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me..." John said it more concisely in verse 15: "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." For some reason, we forget God has made many bilateral promises. We must read carefully when claiming promises from God. God is ready to bless His children, but it is not always without conditions in many areas. This passage should cause examination before it brings us peace of mind. Once the examination is done, and our lives show we are meeting the condition of truly loving God, we may believe for the outcome promised in Romans 8:29.
Second, the reason for the condition is the goal of the promise. Romans 8:29 pronounces and defines the good. Those who love God are "predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son." How can this purpose come to fruition for anyone who is not a lover through obedience to Jesus Christ? It cannot!
Unfortunately, this passage is quoted by many as a magic potion for those desiring to build their treasures on earth. Jesus was clear in Matthew 6:19-21 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Stop for a minute and think of how and when you've quoted this passage. Have you quoted waiting for the healing of cancer? Perhaps the cancer was not cured, but you were waiting for a physical good to manifest from the fact that God would put you through such a difficulty. Your good is quoted with the intention that God owes you. Perhaps you know someone who quoted this while suffering a financial struggle, believing God would repay a loss that came their way. I can offer several examples.
Here are two questions to consider in context to the Romans passage:
1- Have you quoted this passage desiring the spiritual growth that should have formed through each trial?
2- Why would God's goodness come at the expense of godly character in His children so your treasures can be built on earth?
Maybe God's good is not another non-profit in the name of a loved one loss, though that can be wonderful. Maybe God's good brings disaster that removes things you treasure from your life. That same good helps you let go of the things of this world while you begin to hold more tightly, in faith, to The Lord. If that makes you cringe, I want you to know that may never happen, but it might. Can you answer "Yes" to the question, "Is becoming more like Jesus enough for you?" That is God's good for your life and mine.
In the Old Testament, God sometimes dealt with people by asking questions. I will attempt to write this in a way you will see similar to what I am addressing. God asked Adam, "Where are you?" He asked Cain, "Why are you so angry?" Then he asked again, "Where is Abel, your brother?" Lastly, "What have you done?" God asked Satan in the book of Job, "Have you considered my servant Job..." He asked these questions not because He did not know the answer. The first two needed to understand the error of their character and come to repentance. In the latter scenario, God pronounced the character of the one being tested, "that there is not like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?" Job would go through the most difficult trials of his life, eventually revealing what God already knew about him.
In all these lives, God's goal was for His likeness to be seen, revealing their love for Him. They each faced circumstances where they could choose to love God through obedience, and the good for them would have been closeness to God. Yes, some physical blessings would have come. Yet, if they passed their test, while they would have received, and Job did, physical blessings, those things by the nature of each man's victory would be a byproduct but not their true "good" treasure. Their obedience would have reflected their eyes, and their heart's treasure was God alone. We see this truth with Job. God was his "good", not what was taken or given after the test. The things were offerings ready to be given to God. Things used to build treasure in heaven. I pray you understand how this fits with Romans 8:28 as a larger illustration.
I would never presume what God's good will look like after a trial is complete in your life. It may be that he pours our finances, double what may have been taken. He may give you equal or more than what you may have lost. He is God and can do anything He wants. Our goal should be to see the image of Jesus reflected in our lives more and more. You will know the latter is true if the good that comes is used to build your treasures on earth or in heaven. God's question to us is, "What are you doing with the good I've given you?" What will be your answer? More importantly, "Does God already know where your treasures are being built?" If your treasures are being built in heaven, then you can be certain you are "those who love God... and those who are called according to His purpose."
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