Romans 8:28, "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."
This is one of the most encouraging verses in the Bible and also one of the most misunderstood. I love Mark Mittelberg's commentary on this verse...
First, it does not say that everything that happens is good. Rather, it acknowledges the reality that many things that happen in our lives are bad, but it assures us that God can use them for good or bring good out of them.
Second, it does not promise that God will always let us see the good right away; many suffering people strain for a long time to see anything positive about their suffering, and even then only glimpse it from a distance - if at all. In other words, God can bring out good that we don't recognize.
Third, the verse does not promise that God will bring good out of bad for everybody, but only for those who love God and are called according to his purpose - that is, for true Christians who are sincerely walking with Christ.
With those qualifiers understood, it is encouraging when we take this promise to heart and realize that God is always at work in our lives as followers of Jesus, taking the things that are bad and bringing good out of their wake, and realize that he offers to do this for everyone we talk to if they'll just turn and follow him as well.
Note: It's rarely appropriate to quote Romans 8:28 to people in pain. Yes, if they are followers of Christ, then it's true that God will cause it all to work together for the good, but they're probably not in the position to see, feel, or appreciate that truth at this point. At first, just try to encourage them, love them, support them, serve them, be there for them and assure them of your sympathies and prayers.
This is one of the most encouraging verses in the Bible and also one of the most misunderstood. I love Mark Mittelberg's commentary on this verse...
First, it does not say that everything that happens is good. Rather, it acknowledges the reality that many things that happen in our lives are bad, but it assures us that God can use them for good or bring good out of them.
Second, it does not promise that God will always let us see the good right away; many suffering people strain for a long time to see anything positive about their suffering, and even then only glimpse it from a distance - if at all. In other words, God can bring out good that we don't recognize.
Third, the verse does not promise that God will bring good out of bad for everybody, but only for those who love God and are called according to his purpose - that is, for true Christians who are sincerely walking with Christ.
With those qualifiers understood, it is encouraging when we take this promise to heart and realize that God is always at work in our lives as followers of Jesus, taking the things that are bad and bringing good out of their wake, and realize that he offers to do this for everyone we talk to if they'll just turn and follow him as well.
Note: It's rarely appropriate to quote Romans 8:28 to people in pain. Yes, if they are followers of Christ, then it's true that God will cause it all to work together for the good, but they're probably not in the position to see, feel, or appreciate that truth at this point. At first, just try to encourage them, love them, support them, serve them, be there for them and assure them of your sympathies and prayers.
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