From Crucifixion to Glory: Living Proof of Romans 8:28

by Tammy Phillips
April 23, 2025

“We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28 CSB)

Pastor Freddy T’s Easter sermon got my spirt wheels turning when He shared how the worst events of Jesus’ life were used to bring about God’s greater good. It was a “light bulb” moment and the sermon sent me to a place of deep reflection. Romans 8:28 can seem to be just a hopeful promise. How could ALL really work together for good? How could pain, suffering, betrayal, or death work together for good? How could loss of a child work together for good? As Christians we can find the answer at the center of our faith, the death and resurrection of Jesus, God’s only son.

If God could use Jesus’ death and resurrection for good, then I know He truly could work all things together for good to those who love Him. If He used death to bring life, He could use my friends flooded home. If He used death to heal the world, He could weave illness into His purpose. If He used death to write salvation’s story, He absolutely could use all things together for good to those who love Him.

For a minute consider the crucifixion. This had to be one of the worst days ever. On that dark day, Jesus, the only sinless man to ever walk on planet earth, was betrayed, falsely accused, spat on, brutally beaten, and nailed to the cross to die. His crucifixion was an injustice! It was a moment of discouragement and despair for His disciples. It seemed like Satan had locked in a victory and the promised kingdom of God had come to an end.

But GOD! “It was finished,” but it wasn’t! It was just the beginning!

What seemed like defeat became the greatest victory, the greatest good, ever. Jesus’ death was recompense for every sin ever committed. His resurrection destroyed the power of death forever. Horrific Golgotha brought about the ultimate good! It delivered salvation to all who believe Jesus Christ to be their Savior and Lord.

If God could use Jesus’ death on the cross, the most dreadful and unjust happening imaginable for good, then He can undeniably use ANY trial or circumstance in our lives for His good.

His resurrection does not just instruct us that good can come. It shows us that good will come. The empty tomb is proof that pain is not pointless, death is not the end for us, and God IS a Promise-maker and a Promise-keeper.

Romans 8:28 doesn’t say all things are good, but that all things work together for good. The cross was not good in any way, but through it, God brought the greatest good. We can trust that the same God who raised Jesus from the dead is working in ALL things for our good, too.

I enCOURAGE you to believe “that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” If you are walking through a season that doesn’t make sense, you are full of questions, your heart is breaking, or you are in the “wait,” remember the cross. Remember “what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the mighty working of his strength. He exercised this power in Christ by raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens” (Eph 1:19-20 CSB). Remember that God didn’t stop working on Friday. Sunday came and because of Jesus’ work, your story is not finished.

You are complete (and being completed) in Him. He is still writing your story. The very same God who turned the darkest day into the brightest light of hope is the same One working with the same power on your behalf today!

Trust Him. Your light is coming! He’s not done yet!