I hear this verse quoted on a regular basis. Sometimes it is used to encourage those battling tough times. It is often said to motivate people to pursue righteousness. However, every time I hear it, I can’t help but to think about how selfish it sounds.
It comes across as a promise, a guarantee, a reward. It’s like we are saying “If you want things to go your way, love God. Then your life will be awesome.”
If the Bible teaches us anything, it is that following God is uncomfortable, difficult, and downright dangerous. You are supposed to die to yourself, take up your cross, and sacrifice every desire of the flesh to do what is right in His eyes.
So how does that mesh with this frequently quoted scripture? Am I saying that this is a false promise? Absolutely not.
If you love God with all your mind, body, soul, and strength, and you respond to His call to fulfill your purpose, what would you consider to be “good?” If you die to yourself, what kinds of things will you want to happen? If you spend every moment trying to produce fruit, what will your results look like?
When most people quote Romans 8:28, they seem to imply that the “good” we will receive will be worldly rewards. We use it to encourage folks looking for employment or money. We share it bring comfort to those in pain. But are those things really the “good” that this verse promises? It may sound callus, but I don’t think it is.
If I am completely sold out for Christ and doing everything in my power for Him, I can’t imagine that I would be concerned with whether or not I get a promotion. I won’t spend any time thinking about my feelings being hurt or my pride taking a hit.
If I am living for God, my “good” will become more and more like His good. I will want His will to be done and His love to prevail, no matter what impact it has on my life. Selflessness means that my “good” is based on His plan and my plan no longer matters.
I hope I can someday get to that point. What about you? What is your “good”?