Devotional: For Our Good

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

-Romans 8:28

Every Christian has heard this verse before and to be honest, it is typically misinterpreted. 

People will often use it when something works out in their favor. For example, Matt and I will jokingly use this verse when a parking spot shows up for us. But, the meaning of this verse is much deeper and profound, and beautiful.

There are two main parts of the verse I want to dissect. The first part is the word “good.” In Greek, the word is agathos, and it means “useful” and “salutary.” When you look up “salutary” in the English dictionary, it says, “(especially with reference to something unwelcome or unpleasant) producing good effects; beneficial.” 

The part in parentheses is the key and we’ll see how it connects in the context.

As we read the consecutive verse (29), it says, “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” The explanation of “good” is found in the part that says, “to be conformed to the image of His Son.”

On the surface, we might think “good” means comfortable or favorable or easy. But with the context, the meaning of good is to be conformed to Christ. We know that being conformed to Christ requires trials and dealing with the pressures in this world. In the context of this whole chapter, Paul is talking about the sufferings that we face and encouraging believers to trust that God will use suffering for our good (our sanctification, becoming more like Jesus). Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:8-11, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body.”

The greatest “good” that can be accomplished inside of us is to be more like Christ and allow his life to live inside of us. 

The second part I want to dissect is “to those who love God.” This made me ask– is there a reason why He didn’t say “to those who believe in God?” He specifically chose to identify this group as “those who love God, those who are called according to His purpose.” 

How do we show our love for God? This reminded me of John 15, when Jesus spoke to His disciples about abiding in Him. Jesus told them, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”

While every believer has access to this joy and to the good work that Jesus is doing in their lives, realistically, not every believer abides in Jesus’ love. This is why Jesus specifically directed His disciples to remain in His love. As a result, their joy would be made complete. 

When we do choose to abide in His love by keeping His commands, we experience the sufferings Paul was talking about. We get thrown temptation from the enemy, persecution from the world, and deal with the sufferings of this fallen world. But it is through those things that we become more like Christ.

Remaining in His love gives us the ability to accept the sufferings with great hope and our transformation, but if we are not remaining in His love, it is more difficult to accept the sufferings that get thrown at us. As a result, our conformation to His image is impeded.

Take a moment: How have you witnessed God working all things together for good in your life?

What are the trials that have conformed you more into the image of Christ? 

On the other hand, are there moments of suffering and pain that have made you bitter instead? Next time you face suffering, abide in the reality of His love for you and the promise that this trial is for your good. He will never leave your side as you walk through it.

Abiding in His love and allowing Him to do the conforming work inside of you is what it means to live by faith.

-Alina