This week Bro. Leo continues us on a study of God’s promise of Rom 8:28 by looking at what is “good” to God.

In this study of Rom. 8:25 thus far we have learned the promise of Rom. 8:28 is conditional, 1) only applies to the child of God, 2) and who is actively involved in their loving relationship with God, 3) and who is actively pursuing to be conformed into the image of His Son. What is God’s purpose for our lives (Rom.8:28)? God’s purpose for our lives is that we get renewed into His image (1John 3:203 Phil. 3:20-21). John 14:15, John 15:9-10, 12-13, 17, John13:34-35 tells us how to actively pursue to be conformed into God’s image. “His purpose” = God’s providence, which means by which God directs all events in the universe toward the accomplishment of His purposes and plan by the movement of His omnipotent unseen hand. God has a plan and God is in control!  If we satisfy those two qualifiers Rom.8:28 tells us that “all things work together for good”. The phrase “all things” is translated from the Greek word “pas” which means totality, all inclusive, no exceptions.  In Rom.8:28 the word “know” is translated from the Greek word “eidō” which means to perceive and grasp in ones mind, to understand something fully and to have it settled in ones mind (I know that I know), to establish settled knowledge of established facts and truths.

This weeks Rom.8:28 word is “good” and it’s translated from the Greek word “agathos” which means good, profitable, useful, beneficial to ones life.

The Hebrew example of “good” can be found in Gen.1:3-4, 31 and it’s translated from the Hebrew word “ṭôb” which means good, pleasant, beneficial, excellent, correct, righteous, moral goodness.

God not only knows what is good for us, He also knows what is not good for us, Gen.2:18.  So, when we are facing difficult circumstances we need to allow God to use them to draw us nearer to Him (Psa.73:28, Psa.119:65-68, 71, 69).  Drawing closer to Jesus should always be our number one priority (Luke 10:38-42).

What ever circumstances we are facing today, God can use them for our good if we are meeting the three conditions of Rom.8:28, 1) only applies to the child of God, 2) and who is actively involved in their loving relationship with God, 3) and who is actively pursuing to be conformed into the image of His Son.  Example of circumstances we would think are bad but God used for the good can be found in Gen.50:15-21among others.

God’s definition of our doing good is found in Micah 6:6-8 and we can do good in all circumstances if we know and believe the promise of Rom.8:28.

Scriptures used in today’s study:

Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Gen 1:3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
Gen 1:4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
Gen 1:31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

Gen 2:18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

Psa 100:5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

Psa 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

Psa 34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

Jas 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Mic 6:6 Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old?
Mic 6:7 Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
Mic 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

Psa 73:28 But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.

Psa 119:65 TETH. Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word.
Psa 119:66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.
Psa 119:67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.
Psa 119:68 Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.
Psa 119:71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.
Psa 119:69 The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.

Luk 10:38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
Luk 10:39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.
Luk 10:40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
Luk 10:41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
Luk 10:42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Gen 50:15 And when Joseph’s brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him.
Gen 50:16 And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying,
Gen 50:17 So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him.
Gen 50:18 And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants.
Gen 50:19 And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?
Gen 50:20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.
Gen 50:21 Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.

Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

1Ti 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
1Ti 2:2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
1Ti 2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
1Ti 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.