Yes, "All things"... futility, disappointment, pain, evil intent are collected from your life's junk yard, along with all other things, good or bad, which happen, and then recycles and converts them into "good things" in your life ... IF you meet this single condition ... "to them that love God". The word translated "good" in the promise part of that verse is the Greek word "agathos" and is akin to the word "love" (agapao) in the condition part. Since I first read it 70 years ago, this verse has gotten me through the dangerous, difficult but blessed trail of trials in my life. If I had a favorite verse, it would be this one. If you too truly "love God", which also means you seek to serve Him, though you may fall short, as have I, you can claim this promise no matter what happens to you, however fearful, painful, depressing or whatever.... good or bad, and expect God to "work it all together for your good". Maybe you won't see the "good" today or tomorrow, but you can "know" it is "working" ... "good" and is somehow within God's perfect or permissive will for your spiritual growth and for your good.
Here Is The Promise:
"And we know...." God's promise is absolute! You can "KNOW" ...
"And we know...." God's promise is absolute! You can "KNOW" ...
"...that all things...." "ALL" means "ALL", large or small, good and bad. happy or sad.... "all".
"...work together...." The successes and failures; the right and wrong decisions;
"...work together...." The successes and failures; the right and wrong decisions;
horrible experiences and glorious experiences, forgiven, combined and homogenized into one spiritually converted, redeemed, transformed and eternal creation adapted for heaven ... through Jesus Christ who died for the bad.
"... for good...." The only "good" that results from some bad things may be simply... "I'll never do that again".... or the tragic death of a friend or loved one may result in someone else's salvation or inspire Christian repentance.
Here Is The Condition If "all things are to work together for your good"
"... to them that love God...." This is not physical love or lustful love or infatuation or liking love or even friendship love. This is "agapao" love, a holy, total commitment love. It is the same Greek word, "agapao", as in John 3:16...
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
"... for good...." The only "good" that results from some bad things may be simply... "I'll never do that again".... or the tragic death of a friend or loved one may result in someone else's salvation or inspire Christian repentance.
Here Is The Condition If "all things are to work together for your good"
"... to them that love God...." This is not physical love or lustful love or infatuation or liking love or even friendship love. This is "agapao" love, a holy, total commitment love. It is the same Greek word, "agapao", as in John 3:16...
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
"to them that are the called according to his purpose ...."
God's call to those that love Him has a holy purpose within His perfect will for their lives, their talents, their service to Him and for their eternity with Him.
When you "know" this is true and you trust God to perfect it in your life, all things, no matter what, good or bad which come your way will work for you.
That knowledge will get you through all of the trials and difficulties of life. It has for me. RB
When you "know" this is true and you trust God to perfect it in your life, all things, no matter what, good or bad which come your way will work for you.
That knowledge will get you through all of the trials and difficulties of life. It has for me. RB
