Life Without Mother

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.

Romans 8:28 NIV

Dear Friend,

Romans 8:28 — a common passage to be thrown at every struggle a person may encounter. A typical platitude in the face of pain. Particularly offered as a comfort and/or exhortation in instances of grief. Even I have this reference displayed as a decorative plaque tacked up on my bedroom wall. Are you familiar with it?

Now, to be clear, my tone should not be taken as critical here toward this verse’s common use as the comfort it often is — I heartily believe Paul clearly meant it as such. There are most certainly contexts in which quoting Romans 8:28 is more than appropriate. However, even I have misquoted this verse, applying it to situations for which it has no meaning (or perhaps even a less than encouraging implications).

In order to both give and receive the full encouragement of this passage, it’s vital to actually know what it means. So, bear with me as I try to break it down (within the context of the larger passage, of course):

The Context
Romans 8 follows seven other chapters in which the apostle Paul lays out an apologetic Gospel argument for both Jewish and Gentile believers. He examines the contrast between those living in death (unbelievers) and those brought to life through Jesus Christ (believers), framed through an assertion of the importance of (and lack of saving power through) the Mosaic law.

In chapter seven, Paul articulates his own daily struggle with the sinful nature of his flesh, in spite of which he knows the Holy Spirit continues working in and through him. He finishes what feels like the most relatable back-and-forth monologue with a powerful cry of anguish: “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?”¹ BUT, he does not finish his thought there. Rather, he points to the very truth he has been exegeting the prior six chapters: “Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!”²

What a preamble to chapter eight! Paul begins the chapter with explaining how these two statements can coexist. Any guilt and shame can be put to rest for “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”³ Paul then articulates a gracious, though assertive, call to be “led by the Spirit of God” because of His Spirit in us, rather than living according to that dead flesh.⁴ He finishes this exhortation with what we have to look forward to: suffering now, but heavenly glory forever!⁵

Suffering now. That is what he alludes to in the verse I want to analyze.

The Breakdown
“And” — The first word is a conjunction, meant to link this thought to the previous thought in equivalence. In this case, this thought follows the comforting “how” we are to endure suffering of today: through the Spirit’s presence and intercession on our behalf. Even when we believe we know exactly what to pray, His Spirit intercedes by way of “wordless groans” that communicate the deepest needs of our souls to the One who sits on His Throne.⁶ Through the worst of trials, we have hope in and because of this holy intercession. Thus, this “and” signifies truth to follow that is equally hopeful and comforting.

“We know that” — I love the assumption here. It is almost a teasing “now, don’t forget” that Paul implies by saying that “we know.” And my tone here is not to imply that as Christians, they/we would perhaps not know this; however, from experience, I know how easy it is to forget this truth that follows. (Or to misunderstand it.) This assertive phrase also establishes the following thought as a truth that we can know and not simply have to hope (though it is most certainly our hope in Christ providing the foundation for this knowledge). It is a truth that is not only told, but proved over and over again, and thus may be believed in spite of the fulfillment not always appearing as we believed it should.

“In all things” — Of course, this means “all” things, both good and bad, but it is certainly easier to attribute the “good” things to God working for the good. Note those second quotations, though — often what we think to be “good” can be even more spiritually harmful than what may seem to be “bad” from our vantage point. Of course, the true check is the humility of each person’s heart, as our Good Father does love to bless us with materially good things. Blessings are blessings, for sure. However, blessings do not equate God “rewarding” us for good behavior and trials being “punishments” for bad behavior, or sin. Rightly, there are consequences to actions and choices; BUT, this is also why Paul prefaces with “there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” after just having admitted to his own current struggle to do right. Material blessings truly are insignificant (though still abundantly gracious) in comparison to God’s presence that Paul speaks of throughout this chapter!

“God works” — Following “in all things,” this is probably one of the most encouraging parts of this entire verse. Why? Because in all things, God works! God is working, He’s never stopped working, and He will continue to work until His work is complete!⁷ God is in control, He is intimately aware of our situation, and He is actively working in it. He is doing something and that something is (spoiler alert) good! We do not have to “make the best” of our situation (as some would say) because God already is. But, in this there is also a re-orientation that our own hearts must have: God is working. Therefore, we, as merely His image (though still mightily precious in that existence), simply can not understand the situation as God does. Even as He knows it intimately–it is impossible for each of us to be as intimately aware of our own situation. Heck, I don’t even know how to identify the depth of the feelings I have over my own situations half the time! (Or feel them clearly or long enough to pin point what emotions or thoughts I have to begin with!) Praise God, He works!

“For the good” — Wow. What a promise. One that is often taken out of context. I repent of past times when I wrongly believed this meant those same material blessings as mentioned before (aka the “Prosperity Gospel”). So, what does “good” mean? I believe it is revealed in the verse following this one: “to be conformed to the image of His Son.”⁸ This is the “good”: to look like Jesus. To be like Him. For He is goodness itself. So, God works in all circumstances to increase His goodness across the earth through His children! And I must also remind myself just how good it is and can feel (especially in light of the often negative feelings I can experience in times of trial) to be more like Jesus. This means experiencing and demonstrating more love, more joy, more peace, more patience, more kindness, etc.⁹ Who wouldn’t want to experience more of these? Of course, those aforementioned material blessings can also come following or in the midst of trials, but I believe these blessings are simply in conjunction with the good being worked in and for us, not the good itself. No, we must not lose sight of the greatest good we could ever experience: His work in us to look more like Him!

“Of those who love Him” — This right here. Where most of the erroneous usage becomes exposed. I have heard this quoted to those who are unbelievers — and while I firmly believe this can be applied in the painful situations of those who do not believe, it must be in conjunction with an explanation of what this part “those” means: those who love Jesus, those who are saved by faith and justified, and therefore capable of loving Him. These words frame the beautiful, hopeful truth of this verse as specifically applicable to the life of a believer (to which all are invited, in Christ). It is impossible for those who are still dead to be “conformed.” However, what a wonderful glimpse of the promise and comfort that believers experience in Christ! Therefore, as mentioned, this phrase becomes a poignant and simple transition into the Gospel. This is our testimony, that, as believers, “we know that in all things [even this most painful situation and circumstance] God works for [our] good” because He has promised it for “those who love Him,” praise God!

“And are called according to His purpose” — In short (for there are plenty of conversations that could be had by various theological camps pertaining to the word “called”): this is another identifier for “those who love Him.” Believers are set apart as witnesses to His revelation in Christ and as His children with whom He will have fellowship for eternity.¹⁰ Yet, this identifier also reaffirms the intimacy with which our God walks with us through our suffering — our calling is from His purpose. There is no accident or arbitrary suffering for His children. It is all for His glory and our future glory.¹¹

Conclusion
So, dear friend, isn’t it a beautiful promise? Our God promises that our suffering is temporary and not in vain. With our identity secured by His Spirit, we can know that no suffering will come to nothing. Rather, we can be encouraged that all things — both tribulation and jubilation — will be worked for our good. His good for us. The strengthening of character, the sharpening of witness to His truth, the blessing of intimacy with Him in new dependencies, the honing of our image to look more and more like His!

I love to dig deep into my favorite verses to better understand the full weight of the truth. For example, just in doing this, special attention to the word “and” caused me to pause and really pore over the prior verses to understand with which thought this verse is equal. I know some feel that “taking apart” a verse as I have here will cause the meaning to be misconstrued. However, as I hope is evident, the key lens I look through in this analysis is scripture, especially the context of this exact passage. Of course, in this particular examination, I am only referencing the NIV and perhaps other versions would yield slightly different readings and/or wordings. Yet, in the end, as Paul speaks of, I trust God working even in this, my wrestling with His word.

Be encouraged, friend, for the LORD sees your trouble, your struggle, your doubt, and your tears. And He cares far more deeply than we ever could for ourselves. That is the depth of the cross. Before we even understood our great calamity, He made a way out!¹²

An ever-hopeful work-in-progress,
Hannah

1. Romans 7:24 ↩︎
2. Romans 7:25 ↩︎
3. Romans 8:1 ↩︎
4. Romans 8:14 ↩︎
5. Romans 8:17-27 ↩︎
6. Romans 8:26 ↩︎
7. Philippians 1:6 ↩︎
8. Romans 8:29 ↩︎
9. Galatians 5:22-23 ↩︎
10. Romans 8:14-17 ↩︎
11. Romans 8:17 ↩︎
12. Romans 5:8 ↩︎