The Apostle Paul relates the things of the new creation to the Church in Corinth in Romans 8. As he begins this portion of his letter, Paul reveals the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers. The power of the cross made so many things different in their lives (and ours) that Paul wished to bring into the light for them. Thus, Romans 8:1-2 (Amplified) says, "Therefore [because of what he had previously taught in the last chapter] (there is) now no condemnation (no adjusting guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live (and) walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life (which is) in Christ Jesus (the law of our new being) has freed me from the law of sin and death."
Paul went on to expound the revelation of the "outward" man, the mindset that we all had and the weakness of the fleshly body. He continued in this discourse of how Christ has made us free from what Adam did in disobedience. He continued into the "burden" of bringing the old man (the fleshly body) into the subjection of the Spirit. Verses 23,24,25 are about the whole of creation and how we, along with all of creation, groan under the curse placed on us after Adam's fall. Then, Paul begins speaking about the first fruits of the Holy Spirit in our lives and how they give us the hope of what is to come. Romans 8:25 (Amplified) tells us, "But if we hope for what is still unseen by us, we wait for it with patience and composure."
Then Paul speaks about the Holy Spirit's ministry in our lives and how the Holy Spirit bears us up in our weakness and shows us how to pray when we do not know how too. The Holy Spirit prays, through us, the perfect prayer on our behalf with "groanings that cannot be uttered." Paul tells us how the Holy Spirit is there to intercede on our behalf so we stand together with Him in prayer, through our spirit.
Romans 8:27 (Amplified) says, "And He Who searches the hearts of men knows what is in the mind of the Holy Spirit (what His intent is) because the Spirit intercedes and pleads (before God) in behalf of the saints according to and in harmony with God's will." Then Paul writes a verse that is so familiar with today's Christians and one they use for not standing fast and having an understanding of the Holy Spirit. Thus, Verse 28 goes on, "We are assured and know that (God being a partner in their labor) all things work together and are (fitting into a plan) for good to and for those who love God and are called according to (His) design and purpose."
We need to go back to what Paul was really referring to when he said "all things." Was Paul talking about car accidents, sickness, divorce, child molestation, war, famine, disease and children dying of starvation? No! Paul was talking about "being set free from the law of sin and of death" because Jesus made him free. Paul ended Romans 7:24-25 (Amplified) with a cry of praise and thanksgiving to God, saying, "Oh unhappy and pitiable and wretched man that I am! Who will release and deliver me from (the shackles of) this body of death? Oh thank God! (He will) through Jesus Christ (the Anointed One) our Lord! So then indeed I, of myself with the mind and heart, serve the Law of God, but with the flesh, the law of sin."
Now, let's consider what Paul began chapter eight with our being "made free from the law of sin and death" "by a higher law, the law of the Spirit of Life." You can understand that Paul was talking about "all things working together for his good." He speaks about the Holy Spirit, being led by the Spirit, allowing the Holy Spirit to minister life into our spirit, delivering us from the old bondage of our flesh and allowing life to flow out of our spirit. Paul teaches further about the Holy Spirit, saying that no matter where we are in Christ or where we are in weakness of the flesh, the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus will set us free from all the bondage of the old man.
The new birth, the new law along with the mind and body, must be put into subjection of the Holy Spirit according to Romans 8:4, 28 (Amplified) says, "The Holy Spirit will teach us (the Holy Spirit will reveal the adoption) (the Spirit producing sonship whereby we cry Abba, Father)." Verse 28 goes on, "We know that all things are working together for our good, and are fitting into a plan for those who love God."
So, when Paul says "all things," we know he isn't speaking about the trials and struggle we go through on earth, but the Holy Spirit and the Word working in us will turn all things to our good. Paul is talking about the dealing with the flesh by the Word and the Holy Spirit, along with the renewing of our mind by the Word. The law of Life, through the Holy Spirit, and the ability to pray the perfect will and mind of God brings "all good things" into our lives. Because of the curse on all creation, our flesh and mind will fight against our new spirit or new birth. Sin will continue trying to trap us. But, we have all the things the first fruits of the new creation and "All these things" are working together for the "good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose."
Don't use Romans 8:28 out of context, as an excuse for doing nothing about the things coming against you in your walk with God. Paul said that "all things" the Holy Spirit does would set us free. If you walk in that, then you'll walk in victory over all those other things. Romans 8:34 (Amplified) says, "Who is there to condemn (us) will Christ Jesus (the Messiah), Who died, or rather Who was raised from the dead; Who is at the right hand of God actually pleading as He intercedes for us?"
All these things are working together for our good.
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