On a recent YouTube short video post from the Ligonier National Conference, Dr HB Charles Jr was asked the following question: “Now, we know and confess as Christians that God does indeed control everything. How does knowing that help Christians face trials, uncertainties, unanswered questions and suffering in our lives?”

His response began with: “Yes. So, the Bible says right in Romans 8:28 that we know all things work together for the good of those who love God.”

A major reason for this interpretation is the way this verse has been translated in many versions, such as the KJV and ESV: And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose. KJV

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. ESV

Translations like these have been used by many Christians to say that all tragedy, sickness, and death are somehow “good” and part of God’s plan for our lives. Like everything that happens is God’s will and somehow “good” for us. But, according to the big picture (full scope of scripture), suffering is a consequence of sin and not part of God’s original design for this world. So, the view that suffering is anything but evil is inherently opposed to the will of God as in 3 John 1:2: Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

The New Testament is very clear that the Devil, not God, is the cause of evil and suffering. According to Hebrews 2:14 it is the Devil who holds the power of death.

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he (Jesus Christ) himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, Hebrews 2:14

And according to the Lord Jesus Christ: The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10

Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8

A translation of Romans 8:28 that fits with the full scope of Scripture can be found in the NIV: 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.

God being in control of all things in Romans 8:28 is an error in understanding All things don’t work for good, but God always works for the good of those who love him. The God of the Bible is all good all the time. According to Jesus in Matthew 19:17 “…there is none good but one, that is God…”

Proof that God is all good all the time can be seen in the life of Jesus of Nazareth, God’s Messiah who always did God’s will.

“And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and he healed them.”

Matthew 4:23-24 ESV

“You yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.”

Acts 10:37-38 ESV

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Mark Rohde can be reached at marklrohde@icloud.com.