Grace and peace to you, Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Romans 8:28 has always been an important verse held dearly by many Christians. But it has also created some questions as to a proper translation from the original Greek into English. One notices this when looking at a wide divergence in the many English translations.

In the NRSV, 8:28 is translated, "We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose." The NRSV also includes an alternate reading, "God makes all things work together for good..." or "In all things God works for good."

The RSV reads, "We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose." This translation is more in tune with the original for God is the primary actor in the direction and the work of the good.

The good news stems from an understanding that the manner in and by which God works, we can rest assured that "all things will finally resolve into good." Our faith enables us to reach a confidence that is sure and certain because of God's actions in and through Christ, that our future, our hope rests upon God's desire and work of the good.

What is this "good" that God directs and works to? From Paul's faith perspective, it is to be understood under the rubrics of redemption, restoration, and renewal, leading to a path that directs humanity and all creation by the grace of God to that place of shalom, peace. Under God's guidance and direction, we may confidently live our lives towards the goodness that God alone is able to provide, a goodness that is based on God's desire and will, and put into effect by God's action, and which enables us to understand this 'goodness" not from a perspective of our wants or actions, but only through the grace of God.

Our hope rests not upon a reflection of 'goodness' tainted by human sin and misappropriation, but only on the hope that derives from knowing that God knows and acts upon the "good."

Thanks be to God.   Pastor John