As if Bible verses had sensitivity, I feel badly for Romans 8:29. It must be one of the most underrated Scriptures in the Bible. I am sure other verses are quoted just as infrequently, but Romans 8:29 happens to follow one of the most often recited verses. And so, for the next sentence to be commonly overlooked is both odd and unfortunate. Perhaps the less popular nature of Romans 8:29 in comparison to the preceding verse speaks to our human tendency to cling to what seems to make us feel good, rather than to what is true but difficult for a season. All Scripture should be read and taught in context, and this is also true of Romans 8:28.
Hear the resounding words of God spoken by Paul, “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). This truth is real comfort to us, as it ought to be. Omnipotent God is able to force each circumstance of a Christian’s life to conform to an unbelievable standard: our good. With God, nothing is wasted or given over to evil in the Christian’s life. Though the stream of circumstantial working may flow here and there – around mountains and in unexpected ways – each twist and turn takes the path that empties all the waters of life into the ocean of good. When God speaks of our good here in Romans 8:28, the Greek root means “useful, pleasant, excellent, upright, and joyful.” Everything I face will work towards a pleasant and excellent outcome. The question is, just exactly what is that outcome?
Enter the much overlooked Romans 8:29. Here, we find the answer to what genuinely brings joy. We discover precisely the target for which God aims when He carefully instructs each event to do its work for our good. What is the bull’s-eye on which God sets His sights? There is no doubt; the target is my conformity to the likeness of Jesus. Listen to the Word of God: “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers” (Romans 8:29, NIV).
If I go through the Christian life quoting Romans 8:28, but wrongly believe that “my good” can be defined any way I choose; I will be gravely disappointed. But, if I apprehend God’s right goal in this miraculous working together of all conditions of my life, I will be both free and satisfied. God’s good for my life is not so small as my wealth, prestige, and health. God’s good is my likeness to Jesus! This makes logical sense, for Jesus is the sinless Son of God. It is sin which delivers pain, heartache, disappointment, and death. We long for Heaven because sin cannot abide there – only our God and His glory. We long for that sinless residence, knowing its eternal status is joy and excellence! (Recall this is the essence of the Greek root for “good” in Romans 8:28.) Similarly, we ought to aspire to be like Jesus! It is God’s “good goal” for us. As more and more of His people conform to the image of Jesus, we will sense what is truly upright and pleasant while we await our conclusive good – Heaven.
When the situations of your Christian life do not seem to fulfill wrong assumptions about Romans 8:28, quote boldly the next verse. Know that God allows pain, discomfort, and factors we cannot understand – all in the process of making us more like Jesus. God’s bull’s-eye is so much greater than temporal comfort. God’s target is the glory of Jesus in my life.