Bible Study March 8, 2024
Romans 8:28 – 29 (NLT)
“28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.”
Bad things happen to good people and the converse is also true. I have said it for years and I believe it remains the same today. You cannot take a verse out of context to make it say what you want it to say. Romans 8:28 is the perfect example.
Many people take this verse out of context. Can you tell me if cancer is good, is a stroke good that leaves a person incapacitated? Is the death of a child or spouse good for anyone? I lose my job because the business closed is that good? The answer for the believer as well as the non-believer is a resounding “NO!”
So, how do we interpret verse twenty eight? It must be seen in light of verse twenty nine. Verse twenty eight is only good if it further transforms us into the image of God. Difficult times come and we should be prepared for them. We have a wonderful friend who just lost his wife, how can he say verse twenty eight is good unless he sees his wife transformed into the image of God and he testifies to his equally looking forward to his complete transformation?
God will work in our lives for His glory and it is our privilege to give Him the glory for all He does. God is good and He is working in your life to bring good that good is our transformation. He is working toward our salvation.
“Like a grindstone, and whether it grinds a man down or polishes him depends on the stuff he is made of.” Josh Billings.
God Bless.
Asbury Chapel 