In Romans 8:28, Paul wrote: “we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” What does Paul mean by this verse? Does he mean that every cloud has a silver lining; that there is a pot at the end of every rainbow; that good guys (Christians) will not finish last in this life, as I have heard it quoted to mean? Or does Paul mean something deeper, more meaningful and significant?
In chapter 8, Paul has been reassuring the Roman Christians of their status before God. He has told them that “there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (8:1), the Spirit of God bears witness that we are children of God (8:16), we look forward to a heavenly glory with Christ (8:18), and the “Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God” (8:27). Furthermore, the passage certainly ends with a reassuring tone – “for I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (8:38-39).
In light of the context of reassurance, it is clear that Paul means for vs. 28 to be reassuring as well. However, in what way does it provide reassurance? I think we need to begin with vs. 30 and work backwards. Those who have received God’s justification will receive God’s glorification. We will be glorified with Christ, who is our glorified Lord. The reason that we are glorified is because, according to vs. 29, God’s purpose for those who are justified is that they will be conformed to the image of Christ. So, “those who are called according to God’s purpose” (vs. 28) are the same ones who are to be “conformed to the image of his Son” (vs.29).
It seems to me, then, that the “good” that is being worked out for those who love God has something to do with the purpose for which they were called, i.e. formation to the image of Christ. In other words, vs. 28 does not mean that everything is going to work out in a way that we would define as good – no suffering, no problems, material comfort, healthy families – but rather that God will work through all that happens to us to accomplish his purpose of conforming us to the image of Christ.
Being transformed into the image of Christ sounds all well and good, but let us remember that Christ’s glorification came after his humiliation on the cross. Does that mean that we will suffer the same fate? Yes and no. It is very likely that we will not be subjected to physical torture and crucifixion. However, being conformed to the image of Jesus means that we live increasingly self-sacrificial lives of service to others. This is a life that will not necessarily make us happy or comfortable. It is a life, though, that will bring us fulfillment, peace, and the calm assurance that we will be glorified with Christ when he comes again.
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