Assurance for Those Who Love GodRomans 8:28

Lovin Jesus

Well-Known Member
Next to John 3:16, Romans 8:28 may be the most well-known and oft-quoted verse in the Bible. And each section of this verse is important to our understanding of Paul's meaning.

This Is a Definite Promise (and We Know)

"We know" is used five times in the book of Romans and the word know is used 13 times. They refer to that which is the common knowledge of believers. Paul says we can know beyond all doubt that every aspect of our lives is in God's hands, and that we will be divinely used by the Lord not only to manifest His own glory but to work out our own ultimate blessing.

Earlier in this same context, Paul says we know about the groaning of creation (v. 22). In verse 28, he says we know of God's providential care. Yet in verse 26 he says we sometimes don't know how to pray as we ought. This juxtaposition is not accidental; it illustrates a tension in the Christian life. We know that God is ultimately in control in this life, but sometimes we don't know how all the pieces fit together. One of the paradoxes of the Christian life is this: we are often the most certain about the ultimate when we are the most uncertain about the immediate.

This Is a Divine Promise (God Works)

Paul is not speaking fatalistically, nor is he espousing a "positive mental attitude" as a solution when we don't understand. This promise does not operate through impersonal statements but requires divine action for it to be fulfilled.

The order of the words in this verse helps us to see what Paul is really saying: "We know that for those who love God, He is working." In other words, God is ceaselessly, energetically, and purposefully active on their behalf. It is God Himself who is bringing this good about in behalf of those who love Him.

This Is a Determined Promise (for the Good of His People)

God is at work for the good of His people. Since God is good, the work He is doing for His people is good. The ultimate good He is working toward is the final salvation and glorification of His children. This is evident from verses 29 and 30 in Romans 8.

Paul tells us that God causes all things to work together for good. The "all things" are like the pieces of a giant jigsaw puzzle. The way all things work together for good is that they work according to God's purpose. His purpose is like the picture on the lid of the puzzle box. He knows what the completed puzzle picture looks like even when we do not, and He is putting all the pieces in place.

This Is a Dynamic Promise (Work Together)

Together translates the Greek word sunergeo. It is the word from which we get our word synergism. Synergism is the working together of various elements to produce an effect greater than—and often completely different from—the sum of each element acting separately. In the physical world, the right combination of otherwise harmful chemicals can produce substances that are extremely beneficial. For example, ordinary table salt is comprised of two poisons: sodium and chlorine.

Once again, it is important to point out that Paul is not saying things will just work out. It is saying that God causes this synergism to happen. He is the One who stirs the mix!

This Is a Defined Promise (Those Who Love God)

This is the only limitation contained in this promise. Paul is not expressing a general, superficial optimism that everything tends toward everybody's good in the end. Rather, he uses two terms to describe those who are the recipients of this promise. He says that they are those who love God and those who are the called.

"Those who love God" is the fraternity pin of the believer, the thing that says they belong. Loving God puts one in a distinct class of human beings, separate from all others. Those who, from the human point of view, have chosen to direct their love toward God are the ones who may be assured that all things work together for good. Why? Because as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 8:3, "If anyone loves God, this one is known by Him."
David Jeremiah
 
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