“We know God works for the good in all things, for those who love him—those called according to his purpose… to be conformed to the image of his Son.” Rom. 8:28-29
Heavenly Father, I don’t know of one verse in your entire Word that’s more miss-applied, under-believed, totally loved than Romans 8:28. I chose those three categories because I’ve experienced each.
As a young believer, I thought Romans 8:28 guaranteed a life of minimal pain, maximum delight, and magnificent outcomes—IF I just loved you enough. But that led me to question my love for you when hard things happened in my life. But Romans 8:28 promises something so much better than the “American Dream.” It declares you are at work in all things to make us like Jesus—and there is no greater privilege, currency, or outcome.
We can misuse Romans 8:28 on others. We do that when we use it to “silence their whining,” or aren’t willing to enter their pain—inadvertently applying Romans 8:28 like it’s shot of Novocain or a dose of laughing gas. But deadening pain isn’t validating, honoring, and stewarding our pain—three things the Gospel calls us to do.
How do we disuse or under-believe Romans 8:28? Again, speaking from personal experience—when I don’t regularly (daily) ask you: “How Abba, are you/will you use this hard relationship, unwelcome providence, shocking turn of events, or unfair/unjust situation for your glory and my good?”
I also ignore (or reject) Romans 8:28 when instead of looking to you for a redemptive outcome, I start blaming and shaming others for my misfortune and misery, or I fall/jump into self-contempt—and I always end up regretting that.
But blessed, loving, holy, and gracious Abba, I do love Romans 8:28, I really do want to become more like Jesus. I do trust you. So, let’s get on with this weekend and life, and So Very Amen.
