Assurance in the Struggle: Understanding the Promise of Romans 8
"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, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:28-31, NIV).
In his letter to the Roman church, Paul highlights how Christ's redemption enables believers to live in the Spirit despite obstacles. The context of Romans 8 contrasts life in the flesh with life in the Spirit. Paul acknowledges that we experience real battles with sin, discouragement, and suffering. Yet these battles do not define the outcome of our faith, because the victory has already been secured through Christ’s finished work.
This passage stands at the heart of Christian assurance. Paul does not deny that believers struggle. Instead, he reveals that even the struggle is woven into the sanctifying work of God. The Christian life does not call us to pretend hardship does not exist. It calls us to trust that God is sovereign over every detail of it.
The Truths Romans 8 Holds for Us
Romans 8 encourages us with the following truths:
• Sanctification is a lifelong process, and while God values our effort in it, He does not require us to earn what is beyond our reach.
• He works all things, not some, together for those who love Him.
• Because of what Christ has secured for us, we can live from a place of victory, even in our struggles.
The key phrase is that God works in all things. Paul does not limit this to good days, spiritual highs, or moments of clarity. This includes confusion, pain, failure, stress, waiting, and every form of weakness we encounter. God uses even the moments we wish we could erase. He is not just present in the beautiful parts of our story but actively forming Christlikeness in the parts that feel heavy and unfinished.
Finding Rest in the Sanctification Process
Though this journey will have its ups and downs, we can trust in God's character and sovereignty to cover every area of our lives. Sanctification is not about perfectionism. It is about surrender. We can rest in, not run from, the sanctification process, because we know it is His power that accomplishes a good work in us, not our own.
The discomfort we sometimes experience in being refined is not a sign of God’s absence but His nearness. The Spirit is shaping us, guiding us, and not abandoning us when growth feels slow.
Nothing Can Separate Us From God
Although the sanctification process can be uncomfortable at times, we can find comfort in knowing that God is with us in it, and no amount of struggle can separate us from our sovereign God. The same God who foreknew us, predestined us, called us, justified us, and promised to glorify us, will not abandon the work He has started.
Romans 8 ends with confidence, not because of our strength, but because of Christ’s.
Reflect
What area of your life do you feel like God wants to work in right now? What specific habits, thoughts, or relationships might be holding you back from embracing the growth process?
Take these questions slowly. The Spirit is patient. The journey is purposeful. And in it, you are held.
Meet the Author
Elise Stanfield
Elise is a soul redeemed by the love of Christ. She lives in Alabama with her husband, Robert. She loves meeting for coffee with friends, taking walks around the park, and the fall season.
She views writing as a therapeutic release and a meaningful way to connect with others. She is committed to using the passion for writing that God has instilled in her to bless those He brings into her life.
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