(28) 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. (29) For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. (30) Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified: and whom He justified, these He also glorified
The letter to the Romans was written by the Apostle Paul to the Christians in Rome in A.D. 55-57. The truth of Romans 28 is based on God’s sovereignity. This is taught from the beginning to the end of the Bible. The Apostle Paul is not saying that all things work together for good but that God is working in all situations. God is in control of all things.
Paul uses the words ,We Know, five times in Romans. The Greek word Paul uses here translates to sure knowledge which one has beyond a doubt – an intuitive knowledge that the Holy Spirit makes real. All things work together is a comprehensive expression. Paul tells us that nothing is idle. Everything works together and there is no discord in seemingly disparate things. All things work for good – for eternal good – and we may not understand that purpose. All things work for God to those who love God. This last is about the character of the called.
There is a wonderful story about a survivor of a shipwreck, marooned on a deserted island. he prays to God for deliverance and sets about building a shelter and forages for food and drink. One day, returning from his hunting he sees smoke in the distance and arrives at his shelter to find everything burned to the ground. His response is anger at God for not answering his prayers. The next day, a ship arrives at the island and he is rescued. when asked, the captain of the ship tells our man that the smoke rising from the island drew them to what was seemingly a deserted island.
Paul writes that we are ALL sinners and the central thesis of Romans is that we are not justified by the law – there is nothing we can do that will ever be good enough to merit heaven – but that we are justified by faith.
ROMANS 1:16-17
FOR i AM NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST, FOR IT IS THE POWER OF GOD TO SALVATION FOR EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES, FOR THE JEW FIRST AND ALSO FOR THE GREEK. FOR IN IT THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD IS REVEALED FROM FAITH TO FAITH; AS IT IS WRITTEN “THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH”.