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Let us look at what the Word of God says. The song is built almost entirely on one of the most powerful and misunderstood promises in the New Testament:
> “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
> For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son.”
> — Romans 8:28–29 (NIV)
This song is not sentimental optimism. It is not saying “everything will turn out pleasant.” It is declaring a covenant reality for a specific kind of person: those who love God, those who are called according to His purpose, those whom He is shaping into the likeness of Jesus.
The central theme is this:
God is sovereignly at work in every circumstance—good, bad, painful, or joyful—to produce His eternal good in His people, which is Christlikeness.
The lyrics rest on four great pillars of biblical truth:
1. “In all things God works” – the sovereignty and providence of God.
2. “For the good” – the nature of God’s intention toward His people.
3. “Of those who love him, who have been called” – the conditions and the people to whom this promise applies.
4. “To be conformed to the image of his Son” – the ultimate goal of God’s dealings with us.
We will see that this verse is not a shallow slogan to soften suffering; it is a deep, unshakable foundation for spiritual warfare, endurance, and maturity.
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Romans is Paul’s great doctrinal letter, written probably from Corinth to believers in Rome—Jews and Gentiles together. Chapter 8 is the high point of the letter, the mountain peak of assurance. But it comes after a sobering path:
Romans 8 moves in a clear progression:
1. No condemnation (v.1).
2. Power of the Spirit over the flesh (v.2–13).
3. Adoption as sons and daughters, heirs with Christ (v.14–17).
4. Present sufferings vs future glory (v.18–25).
5. The Spirit’s help in weakness, intercession in prayer (v.26–27).
6. God’s sovereign purpose in all things (v.28–30).
7. Unbreakable security in God’s love (v.31–39).
Romans 8:28–29 stands at the center of a context of suffering and weakness:
> “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” (8:18)
>
> “The Spirit helps us in our weakness… the Spirit himself intercedes for us…” (8:26–27)
This promise does not come in a comfortable setting. Paul is addressing believers who are groaning under pressure—trials, persecution, internal conflict, outward hardship. And to such people he says: *“We know…”*
Who is speaking? The apostle Paul, formerly Saul of Tarsus: persecutor, Pharisee, then converted, repeatedly beaten, imprisoned, opposed, betrayed, and finally martyred. When Paul says “we know,” he is not speaking as a theorist but as a man who has tested this truth in the furnace.
The situation is this:
The Roman believers are facing a hostile empire, rising tensions, and the cost of following Christ. Paul lifts their eyes to the eternal dimension: God is not passively watching; He is actively orchestrating all things for His purpose in them.
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Let us look at two key expressions in Romans 8:28–29.
### 1. “Work together” – *synergeō* (συνεργέω)
The phrase translated “works for the good” comes from the Greek verb συνεργέω (*synergeō*), from which we get our English word “synergy.”
*Synergeō* means:
Paul is not saying that each thing in isolation is good. Many things in life are evil, painful, unjust, demonic, or tragic. But he is saying that God causes all things to work together—like ingredients in a recipe—so that the final result serves His good purpose.
Think of:
None of these are enjoyable separately. But in the hands of a skilled baker they are combined, processed by heat, and the outcome is something good.
So in the song’s phrase “All things work together for good—God is faithful,” the deep reality is:
God is the Master who takes every event, even satanic attacks and human failures, and forces them into His overarching design for His people.
### 2. “Conformed” – *symmorphos* (σύμμορφος)
Romans 8:29:
> “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son…”
The Greek word is σύμμορφος (*symmorphos*).
*Symmorphos* means:
God’s goal is not merely to get us to heaven. His goal is that our inner nature, character, and even ultimately our resurrected body should bear the likeness of Jesus Christ.
So the promise “in all things God works for the good” finds its definition in verse 29: the “good” God is after is not primarily comfort, success, or relief. The supreme good is that we are conformed to the image of His Son—we become like Jesus in character, obedience, faith, purity, and love.
That is what gives depth to the lyrics:
> “For those God foreknew
> he also predestined
> to be conformed to the image
> of his Son.”
The song ties Romans 8:28 and 8:29 together, as Paul intended. It does not isolate a promise of convenient outcomes; it marries it to God’s eternal purpose: Christlikeness.
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### Stanza 1: “And we know that in all things…”
> And we know that in all things
> God works for the good
> of those who love him,
> who have been called
> according to his purpose.
Notice the expression: “And we know” (*oidamen* – we have come to know, settled knowledge). This is not guesswork. This is Christian certainty.
But who is the “we”? It is not all humanity. Paul qualifies:
1. “Those who love him”
2. “Who have been called according to his purpose”
#### Those who love Him
Biblical love is not sentiment; it is loyalty and obedience.
> “If you love me, keep my commands.” (John 14:15)
>
> “We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands.” (1 John 2:3)
This promise is not for the rebellious, the indifferent, or those who use God as a convenience. It is for those whose hearts are set on Him, who demonstrate love by obedience, worship, and submission.
#### Called according to His purpose
The word for “called” (*klētos*) means summoned, invited, brought into a divine calling. It is associated with God’s effectual call—He not only invites but draws and appoints.
“According to his purpose” – *prothesis* (πρόθεσις) – literally “a setting forth, a plan, a design laid out beforehand.”
God is not improvising as circumstances arise. He is working out a predetermined purpose in those He has called. That purpose will not change; your circumstances will.
So the first stanza declares:
This is vital in spiritual warfare. When Satan assaults, he wants you to believe your life is random, out of control, purposeless. Romans 8:28 answers: No—my life is governed, not by chaos, but by the purpose of God.
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### Stanza 2: “All things work together for good—God is faithful.”
> In all things God works for good
> for those who love him,
> called according to his purpose.
> All things work together for good—
> God is faithful.
Here the song adds a phrase not in the original verse but entirely consistent with Scripture: “God is faithful.”
This is one of the most important attributes of God in times of testing.
> “God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” (1 Cor. 1:9)
>
> “The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” (1 Thess. 5:24)
>
> “If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.” (2 Tim. 2:13)
The synergy of “all things working together” rests on the unchanging faithfulness of God. Our feelings fluctuate; God does not. Our understanding is limited; God’s plan is complete.
In spiritual warfare, the enemy aims to undermine the character of God:
Romans 8:28, together with “God is faithful,” answers that lie:
We see this throughout Scripture:
> “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Gen. 50:20)
The song, in repeating this line, is drilling into the believer’s spirit: *“All things work together for good—God is faithful.”* This must become a proclamation, not just a doctrine.
---
### Stanza 3: “For those God foreknew…”
> For those God foreknew
> he also predestined
> to be conformed to the image
> of his Son.
Here we move into God’s eternal counsel.
#### “Foreknew” – *proginōskō* (προγινώσκω)
To “foreknow” is more than to foresee; it is often used of a relational knowing. In Scripture, “know” can mean intimate, covenant relationship:
> “You only have I known of all the families of the earth.” (Amos 3:2, KJV)
God’s foreknowledge is His sovereign, loving choice of persons in Christ before the foundation of the world (cf. Eph. 1:4–5; 1 Pet. 1:1–2).
#### “Predestined” – *proorizō* (προορίζω)
*Proorizō* means to mark out beforehand, to determine in advance the boundary or goal. Note:
Paul does not say we are predestined to believe or to be saved in this verse (whether that is true or not is a broader discussion). Here, the specific predestination is to be conformed to the image of His Son.
God’s eternal plan for every true believer is:
This sheds light on our trials. The pressure you are under is not random—it is a chisel in the Master’s hand, shaping you into Christ’s likeness.
> “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (2 Cor. 4:17)
The “good” of Romans 8:28 and the “conformed to the image of his Son” of verse 29 are inseparable. If we define “good” as “what pleases my flesh,” we will be disillusioned. If we define “good” as “what forms Christ in me,” we can rejoice even in affliction.
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### Stanza 4: Repetition as Warfare
> In all things God works for good
> for those who love him,
> called according to his purpose.
> All things work together for good—
> God is faithful.
The repetition is not artistic padding; it is spiritual reinforcement.
In Scripture, repetition emphasizes certainty:
The believer needs truth hammered into the heart until it becomes instinct. In the day of trouble, you will not have time for long exegesis; you will draw on what has been stored in your spirit:
> “In all things God works for good… All things work together for good—God is faithful.”
This is not denial of pain. Romans 8:23 says:
> “We… groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.”
We groan, but we also know. We suffer, but we also stand on a covenant promise.
---
The great danger with Romans 8:28 is that it becomes a cliché rather than a weapon. How do we walk it out?
### 1. Align with the Conditions: Love God and Submit to His Purpose
This promise is not automatic. It has conditions:
> “Of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
First, we must love God. That means:
Second, we must yield to His purpose, not ours. Often our frustration arises because we are forcing God into our plan. Romans 8:28 is for those who say:
“Lord, my life is Yours. I accept Your purpose, even when I do not fully understand it. Shape me into the likeness of Your Son.”
Where there is rebellion, bitterness, or self-will, we are out of alignment with this promise.
### 2. Interpret Circumstances by Scripture, Not Scripture by Circumstances
The natural mind looks at disaster and says: “This proves God’s word is not true.” The renewed mind says: “Because God’s word is true, this disaster must in some way be subject to His purpose for good.”
You have two options:
We must choose to say by faith: “God’s Word is the final authority, not what I see or feel.”
This is spiritual warfare. Satan is “the accuser” (Rev. 12:10), and he accuses:
Romans 8:28–30, and later Romans 8:31–39, answer all three accusations: God’s purpose stands, God’s love is unshakable, and God’s plan is working even through apparent defeat.
### 3. Cooperate with the Holy Spirit in the Process of Conforming You to Christ
Romans 8:13–14:
> “…if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.”
God’s purpose is to conform you to Christ. The Holy Spirit is the One who applies that purpose in your daily life. Thus:
Every time you obey the Spirit in these things, you are cooperating with God’s purpose to shape you into Christ’s image. Then Romans 8:28 becomes not merely comfort, but explanation: “Ah, this difficult relationship, this trial—God is using it to expose what is not like Christ in me, and to replace it with what is like Christ.”
### 4. Turn the Truth into Proclamation, Especially in Times of Battle
Derek Prince often emphasized that scripture must be proclaimed, not just analyzed. The song itself models this: it puts Romans 8:28–29 on your lips.
You can take these words and speak them aloud into your situation. For example:
You stand and say:
> “In all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. I love Him. I am called. Therefore even this will serve His purpose to conform me to the image of His Son. All things work together for good—God is faithful.”
This is not magic; it is agreement with God. When you proclaim His Word, you align your mouth with His mouth. And Scripture says:
> “He who called you is faithful, who also will do it.” (1 Thess. 5:24, NKJV)
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### Proclamation
Say this aloud, deliberately, as an act of faith:
> I proclaim that in all things God is at work for my good, because I love Him and I am called according to His purpose.
> I affirm that God has predestined me to be conformed to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ.
> I declare that no circumstance, no failure, no attack of Satan can overthrow the purpose of God in my life.
> All things are working together for my good—not for my comfort only, but for my transformation into Christ’s likeness.
> I confess: God is faithful. He who called me will also do it. Amen.
### Prayer
Father,
I thank You for Your unchanging Word. I thank You that You are at work in all things for the good of those who love You and who are called according to Your purpose. I present myself to You afresh. I choose to love You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. I yield to Your purpose for my life—to be conformed to the image of Your Son.
Holy Spirit, I invite You to take the events of my life—my successes, my failures, my wounds, my disappointments—and use them as instruments to shape me into the likeness of Jesus. Where I have complained against Your dealings, forgive me. Where I have doubted Your faithfulness, cleanse me.
I resist every lie of Satan that says my life is out of control or without purpose. I take my stand on Your Word: all things work together for good in my life because I belong to You. Strengthen me to cooperate with Your process, to obey Your promptings, and to trust Your faithfulness.
I ask this in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Amen.
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