Romans 8:26-39
26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written
“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Devotional
To Christ-followers living in a context of distress, characterized by the groaning of humans and all creation (8.18-23), Paul offers words of encouragement. He reminds them of God’s presence and purpose. For those who are loving God, God is fashioning good out of all things. But what does this good look like? How will we recognize it? Romans 8:29 gives us the answer. God is crafting all things, even the messiness of our lives, to conform us to the image of Jesus the Son.
Prayer
God, we invite you to be present in every area of our life, to use your wisdom and artistry to fashion and refashion us into the image of your Son, so that we might think, and feel, and choose, and act more like Jesus. We agree with you that this is what “good” looks like.
Rev Dr Linda Stargel, Academic Dean