“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
This is a very popular verse. It’s one we hear when we don’t understand what’s going on in our lives, believing that in the end, God has a good purpose for allowing unpleasant things into our lives.
There are Truths in this verse that have to do with our eternity and God’s foreknowledge of His children. This Scripture begins with the words, “we know.” This signifies certainty and complete assurance. We cannot quote the rest of the Scripture without these words because then it’s not an affirmation of trust in God’s will and purpose. “We know” is the declaration that our God Whom we know will not fail us, is superior in knowledge and wisdom to us and that He is for us and knows what is best for us. We know without a doubt that our Lord Who knows tomorrow, and the next second is doing what is best for our future and for our eternity.
We know and declare that all things work for good. This means not only what I consider good, but what God considers good. What is good is subjective and is different from what the Lord considers good because the Lord’s priority is our eternity. (John 3:16) All that is good for us is what will help us live eternally with the Lord. What is good comes from the Lord and is holy, pure and divine. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1:17) The flesh always wants what looks good and what feels good. But the Lord is looking beyond our short time here on earth and working eternity in us and for us.
This Scripture is only true for those who love God. Who loves God? Jesus said, “If ye love Me, keep My commandments.” (John 14:15) Those who are keeping God’s commandments are those who love Him. Later on, He continues, “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love Me, he will keep My words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” (John 14:23) Those who love God are those who obey His commandments and keep, meaning safeguard, His Words like one would guard a treasure. We hold them in our hearts and live our lives by them.
Romans 8:28 is a Truth for those who are called according to His purpose. We have learned in previous lessons how God calls and appoints us to blessings from the beginning of creation because He knows those who belong to Him from the beginning of time. In His foreknowledge of those who will be His children, He pours out blessings and promises for us before we were even born, in eternity before the creation of the world. The Lord sees and knows the end from the beginning, the past, present and future at once. “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure:” (Isaiah 46:9-10). Our blessings have already been declared. The promises from Him are ours and fulfilled already in eternity. His purpose for us has been declared before the creation of the earth. And the beautiful thing is that in eternity God sees our purpose fulfilled already.
When we look at things from God’s perspective we can believe and stand on His promise in this Scripture. That all and everything will work for our salvation and for our eternity. We can believe and trust in God and His Word.
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