Essays
In Everything For Good
IN EVERYTHING FOR GOOD
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.
Some might argue that the above text, Rom.8:28, is theoretical theology. i.e., this is God's ideal intention, but things don't always work out as planned - - it's a case of the aspirational versus the reality. Others would counter this citation by asserting the obvious: bad things sometimes happen to God's people. In this scenario a tension appears that a few would claim to be contradictory: how can God be working for our good when troubles continually assail us?
The problem with the above thinking can be clarified by two lines of reasoning. First of all, it was the apostle Paul who penned this text. Paul knew hardships on a first-hand basis. cf. 1Cor.4:9-13 and 2Cor.11:23ff. It is safe to say that Paul was called by God and loved the Lord supremely. Yet he suffered greatly and his sufferings are often described as being for the sake of Christ and His church (Col.1:24 and 2Tim.2:3). For Paul, to suffer for Christ was not viewed as the deprivation of God's tender loving care, but rather it was a cause for rejoicing (Philp.4:10). To be united with Christ in the fellowship of His sufferings (Philp.3:10) was a badge of discipleship and source of genuine joy, not a cause for self-pity. Secondly, our understanding of that which is GOOD is often quite myopic and self-centered.
This text can never be fully and properly understood if it is ripped from its first-century context. The “worlds” were changing and it was God's doing. God was establishing a New Covenant world and the Old Covenant world was ready to disappear (Heb.8:13). This time of transition gave birth to great tribulation (Mt.24:21). Paul admonished the early Christians saying, through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. The goal was glorification, but the price to be paid was suffering (Rom.8:17). In everything God was working for the good - - salvation in Christ Jesus, the entrance into the holy place by means of the new and living way (the New Covenant) brought to reality by the sacrificial blood of God's only begotten son (Heb.10:19 and Jn.3:16).
With keen expository skills, John Stott, calls attention to five truths about God's providence which we know. We know that God works, or is at work in our lives. We know that God works for the good of His people. We also know that God works for good in all things. “Nothing is beyond the overruling, overriding scope of his providence.” Additionally, we know that God works in all things for the good of those who love him. And lastly, we known that those who love God are those who have been called accord-ing to His purpose. “Romans 8:28 is surely one of the best-known text in the Bible. On it believers of every age and place have stayed their minds. It has been likened to a pillow on which to rest our weary heads.“ May we rest in the promises of God, knowing that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ (Rom.8:38).
Terry Siverd / Cortland Church of Christ
