Romans 8:28
It is regretful that Romans 8:28 is one of those verses that men have
favored to the extent of lifting it from the context of scripture and making
application almost exclusively to comfort the hearer. But only too often the
hearer is left unfulfilled after a sincere attempt to latch hold of the promise, "all
things work together for good." Of course, there is good reason for this: the
emphasis is placed on "things." All things work together for good. Oftentimes
many of the "things" are listed and expounded upon. But there is no lasting
assurance, no firm foundation that may be secured in things! Not only do we
find the verse lifted out of context, but its very substance and strength receive
as it were, a lesser role ¾ and I hasten to say that I do not think it as being
intentional on the part of the teachers. To what (or may I say to Whom) is the
focus, the emphasis due? Why, to God Himself; "according to his purpose." If you will permit me to do a re-structuring of the verse, the proper
emphasis may become more apparent. God, according to His purpose, called us. God, according to His purpose
enabled(s) us to love Him. It is according to His purpose that "all things work
together for good." Lastly, According to His purpose, "we know. . ." We know
the goodness of His works and the greatness of His accomplishments; know of
His calling; know of His enabling love. If we are to trust the promise of "all things" we must trust Him who made
the promise. A promise is only as good as the One who made the promise! "Let
us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that
promised;) Heb. 10:13. But we understand that faith is not a power unto itself.
It is effectual only as it has an object, and we believe that object to be none
less than Christ Himself. Faith is the means by which we are delivered into the
Power of His Presence. While our faith is by no means perfect, the one in whom
faith finds lodging is! There is an old Southern gospel song that says, "Prayer is the key to
heaven; but faith unlocks the door!" Surely, without the eye of faith, one will
never see beyond the door. Even through faith, we "see through a glass
darkly." Seeing is believing! So reigns the philosophy of men. But it is not so
in the realm of the eternal. "Believing is seeing!" The contrast speaks volumes.
But faith is not logical - at least, not in the eyes of the world. Even the Believer
is not beyond being bewildered and perplexed at the seeming onslaught of
adverse situations and circumstances.
"For the flesh lusteth against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would" Gal. 5:17.
If we were left alone with our faith, there would be little difficulty in totally believing and embracing "all things working together for good;" even in the midst of the fiercest of adversities. But the flesh, our old Adamic nature, will look for and pounce upon every opportunity to wrestle with the spirit of faith. I doubt that there is anyone who is not at times haunted with uncertainties and finds himself in the valley of indecision. Let us look up! Our God is the God of unfailing purpose! Shall I focus on disappointments? Shall I dwell in the vale of bereavement? God forbid!
"According to His purpose."According to His purpose, "the Spirit also helpeth out infirmities. . .the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. . .he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God" Rom. 8:26,27.
The Gospel of Christ - the unfailing purpose of God."For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son. . .whom he did predestinate, them he also called [to them who are the called according to his purpose]; and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified them he also glorified." vs. 29,30.
"Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us" Rom 8:34.
According to His purpose, "Christ died." According to His purpose, Christ is "risen again." According to His purpose, Christ "is even at the right hand of God." According to His purpose, Christ "also maketh intercession for us." Compare: "the Spirit maketh intercession for us with groanings; he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God."
Another comparison perhaps worthy of our observation: "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all [according to His purpose] , how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" ¾ according to His purpose! In other words, "But my God shall provide all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus" Phil. 4:19.
And - shall I dare repeat it - according to His Purpose!
"But we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
Even the Scofield Reference Bible had the insight to label Romans 8:28 and following as "The unfailing purpose of God through the Gospel!"
