Romans 8:28 is Not All About You

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

I have not listened to Christian radio in a long time. Most of the music is man-centered and a lot of it is from questionable sources. Recently, I decided to turn on a Christian radio station to see what was playing, and I caught a little devotional from Levi Lesko regarding Romans 8:28. Now I did not hear the entire devotion but caught of the end of it where Lesko read the passage and said these words, "Romans 8:28 is about you."

Insert a facepalm gif.

After he said that, Lesko continued saying that God is working things out for your next step whatever that means. What amazes me is how sometimes we get this passage and assume it's all about us. Sometimes we quote it to someone when he/she is going through a trial and think this is why God allowed this to happen. Truth is we will never know why certain things happen in our lives and expect an answer from God as if He owes us an explanation.

However, Romans 8:28 is not written just about you. Now it is written for you, but it is not all about you. Notice the One who will work all things together for good. It is God. 

What is the good Romans 8:28 mentions? The answer is in the following verses:

Because those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers; and those whom He predestined, He also called; and those whom He called, He also justified; and those whom He justified, He also glorified (Romans 8:29-30).

The good God is working is you and me is to conform us to the image of Christ. Everything that happens in our lives is God pruning us to be more like Jesus. It is not getting our next step or whatever that means. It is God making us like His Son.

Paul told the Philippian church, "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6). This good work is, as Romans 8:29 says, being comforted to the image of Christ.

Romans 8:28 is not all about you. Romans 8:28 is about God making you like Jesus.