Romans 8 - God Uses Bad Things That Happen To Us For Good!

Romans 8 - NIV

Enduring Word Commentary

Present Suffering and Future Glory

18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. 26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. 28 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. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

Romans 8 is simply put, one of the best chapters in the bible. It ranks up there with John 3, John 14, John 15, Philippians 4, and Ephesian 2 and 4. 

This chapter is chock-full of many of God most comforting promises. I will usually use at least one or two of these passages at funerals when people need to be assured of these promises after a loved one has died. 

In Romans 8:18, Paul says that the sufferings we undergo in this life are not worthy to compare to the glory that will be revealed in us. Notice it says will be revealed "in us". Every person goes through different levels of suffering, but when someone has suffered a long and painful battle with cancer, these words provide hope and comfort for their loved ones. 

This is why when both of my parents were in the last days of their lives I could pray for God to take them, because I knew what awaited them on the other side. Paul says even all of creation waits for the sons of God to be revealed. 

The earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits: Paul considers that creation itself is eagerly awaiting the revealing of the sons of God. This is because the creation was subjected to futility on account of man’s sin, and will benefit from the ultimate redemption of men. - Guzik

As we await this day not only is the Holy Spirit a downpayment of our future inheritance but the Holy Spirit also intercedes through when we pray. We often don't know what the Holy Spirit is saying and Paul describes it as "wordless groans". I am sure you have heard this when you have been praying in a small group. These groans express affirmation of the prayer and also agreement with it. It is a groan which says, "Amen ... so be it!" 

Then we get to the famous verse, Romans 8:28. God works all things together for those who love God and have been called according to His purpose. Notice he doesn't work all things together for good in everyone's life, but for those he has called according to His purpose, which is every Christian. God can use anything that happens to us for his good. How many times have you underwent a painful trial only to later see how God used it to comfort someone else? 

How many times have you been disappointed that something didn't turn out the way you would have liked it to turn out, only to discover later that God had actually done you a favor. At the time it was painful. and you asked God "why"? Or, maybe even doubted His love for you. But God is sovereign. He uses even our failures for his own good. 

Many of the sins that I have struggled with have helped to not only humble me, rely on God in a greater degree, but also to help another brother who is struggling with that same sin. It is not that God wanted me to sin, but when we are repent, He can use it for good. One my favorite phrases is, "God never wastes a experience!" 

You can see this with major characters in the bible like Moses, Joseph, Peter and Paul. Of course, the worst thing that turned out for our good was Jesus' death on the cross. Out of His innocent suffering and death God used his death as a payment for our sin. When Jesus rose from the dead, it not only proved He wa the Son of God, but also assured us that when we die, we will also be raised from the dead. 

God is in the business of using bad things in our lives for good, but we have to be open and willing to look for it. Often it can mean humbling ourselves and/or repenting of a sin we are committing. The bottom line is we live in a fragile world ruled by the devil and filled with people who make choices that harm others. In the midst of this, God intersects our world and can turn anything that happens into something good for you and me who are his sons and daughters.  

Where have you seen God use something bad in your life for good?

How can you encourage and pray for someone who is going through a difficult time in their life? 

Give thanks to Jesus today for what he did for you on the cross redeeming our bad choices and setting us free! Amen












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