TwistedSample

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

Sirens. Horns. Here come the Bible enforcers! Wait, that’s not what this is about. As we unravel commonly twisted Scriptures like Romans 8:28, let’s adjust our own living and believing. We’re not called to be the Scripture police, and we’re not here to just properly study a text either—we’re alive to live out God’s letters!

Romans 8:28, without context, could read like we just need to love and be called by God and He’ll smooth out the rest. But with this thinking, we’re left wondering, “I know I love God, so am I not as ‘called’ as those who seem to have nicer things and easier lives?” We’d gear up an effort-driven race to Easy Street and in turn miss out on the unforced grace of relationship with Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9, Matthew 11:28-29). Finally, we’d be left wondering who wasn’t delivering on their end of the deal.

So let’s untwist Romans 8:28. Romans was written by the Apostle Paul to Christians in Rome. (Romans 1:7) Most scholars agree Paul was writing to outline the saving work of Christ: the Gospel. What else did Paul say in Romans? We don’t have to leave the chapter to find suffering and waiting Christians (Romans 8:18,25). Paul goes on to write of weak flesh in need of God’s Spirit, flesh so weak it doesn’t know what to pray (Romans 8:26). He wrote how our weakness helps us rely on the intercession of God’s Spirit because He is the one who knows the perfect will of God. Then finally, there’s Romans 8:28.

What truth can we draw out? Paul wrote to Roman Christians about the power of the same Gospel we live by today. He spelled out our inability to make things work out for our good—our need for a Savior. He went on to describe how the Holy Spirit works things together for our good. When we’re suffering, weak, and waiting on Him, that’s when we’re most pliable. When we don’t even know what to pray, that’s when He prays through us. When our way gets broken, that’s when He can fill in the cracks with His will. Romans 8:28 doesn’t promise Easy Street, it promises weak flesh, His strong Spirit, and His good will.

Consider: Has my view of God suffered from a twisted view of Romans 8:28? If so, how?