Them That Love God

Romans 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

            I have heard this verse misquoted and misused more than any other Bible verse.  The portion stating, “to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” is left off.  Consequently, this verse’s application, “for anybody in any situation” is incorrect.   

            Romans 8:28 is a verse of assurance that God has given Christian Believers.  (It is only for those who have accepted Jesus the Christ as their personal Saviour. Yet, the primary misuse of this verse is by Christians.)  We see “a situation” and we chop off the end and try to assure the unbelievers that things will get better.  Instead of attempting to lead them to the One who could help them through their problems, we coddle them with a verse that is not intended for them.

            It always comes down to our choices.  (Our choices as a Christian are limited.  If sin is in view, our choice is to rebuke the tempter and turn away.   Our only correct choice is to always select the right way, the truth.)

            Regarding unbelievers: our choice is to assure them, through the Gospel, that they repent and find they “are the called according to his purpose.”  We then can quote the complete verse and assure them that regardless of the trials in their lives, everything will eventually “work together for good to them that love God.”

            As a Christian, I know we all intend good.  Yet, in our pursuits to satisfy God there are times we fail.  We need to look at our lives and do a personal checkup as to our Salvation.

Hebrews 10:22  Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

If we truly want and desire to “draw near” to God, we must meet His Requirements.  It must be with a “true heart,” a sincere honest heart.  We must also have an assurance that we are doing His Will in Faith, a Faith that states “I believe without doubt.”  We also must rid ourselves of that evilness we harbor, (bitterness, hatred, anger...etc., within our hearts and mind,) this being done as if we had washed our minds of all the filth with pure water.  

Romans 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

            We will fail, however, we must not use this knowledge to keep us from trying, because “we know that all things work together for good to them that love God,” and our efforts are “a good thing.”  To use an “over used” shoe commercial, “Just Do It.”

Bro John R. E Chastain

Retired Pastor

Wylie, Texas

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