"Those who love God"

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Jesus commanded in Matthew 22:37: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” When we love God with everything we have, blessings are sure to come from it. Not only do we please God by fulfilling His commandment, but we are assured that “all things will work together for good.” But what does this statement truly mean? Sadly, many miss the point of this verse. Many use this verse to say that it doesn’t matter when bad circumstances arise in this life because God will take the bad and turn it into something good. This principal is correct to a certain point in that God can take something bad and turn it into something good. But that is not exactly what the apostle Paul has in mind with this verse.

If you look at the context and back up to vs. 18, Paul says, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Clearly, Paul is speaking of the day God will reward us with the glory of Heaven. Paul continues this thought all the way to vs. 28 where he says, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Heaven is the reason all things will work together for good! We know God will help us and bless us in this life, but we can rest assured that it doesn’t matter if our circumstances work together for good or not. In the end, we will have Heaven which is all that really matters. Hang on through the trials and temptations that you go are going through. On the other side is a crown of life waiting for you if you if you are God’s child: glory more wonderful and more beautiful than you could possibly imagine! “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

Jonathan Glaesemann