Is Everything That Happens To Us God’s Will?
Romans 8:28 is probably the most misinterpreted scripture by Christians than any other. Unknowing Christians have heard some traditional pastor or leader have a tragedy and quote this scripture to somehow get comfort. They get confused and try to use the same scripture. They are trying to help, but it comes out wrong.
Tragedy Strikes
Someone gets killed in an automobile accident and another person will say to others in an attempt to comfort… “Well, you know, all things were together for good for those who love God…” It is such a defeatist attitude that any student of the Bible cringes when you hear someone misquote this great scripture. This is Dark Ages Mentality. This is not what this Word means.
What exactly does this mean? If you want to understand anything in reading, you have to always look at the context. Romans 8:28 should be read from the beginning of the thought starting in verse 26.
Rom 8:26-27
Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. NKJV
This means the Holy Spirit wants to help us when we don’t know how to pray for ourselves or others. Then, we have Romans 8:28;
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. NKJV
The Holy Spirit Leads Our Prayer, If We Let Him
The Spirit helps in our weaknesses. When is this? When we are praying in the Spirit. What is praying in the Spirit? Praying in the Spirit is brought up in Ephesians 6:18 and Jude 20. It is prayer where the Holy Spirit is moving and guiding your prayers. When you pray in tongues, you immediately sense the Holy Spirit’s direction in my prayers. Praying in the Spirit almost always starts with praying in tongues (1 Cor 14:4).
You may not know exactly how to pray, but God wants to help. When you have received the infilling of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2), the Spirit prays with you through your spirit for any situation that may come up. That is awesome! When you are praying in the Spirit, you can know that all things are going to work together for good because you are praying. This is why prayer is so important. If you are not praying, who is?
If you have not received the gift of the Holy Spirit or tongues, pray ‘Father, I thank you for life and salvation through my Messiah Jesus. I pray right now, and receive the gift of your Holy Spirit so that I can be empowered just like you empowered the first Christian believers in Acts 2. Fill me to overflowing in the powerful Name of Jesus. I want to pray your will by the power of the Holy Spirit daily. Amen!’
More on receiving the Baptism Of the Holy Spirit here.
