This is a bible study for a regular men’s Bible Study.

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Romans 8:28 – A Call to Covenant Partnership

I have chosen to focus solely on Romans 8:28 for our men’s Bible study today. Why? Because this verse is far too loaded to just skim over—and, honestly, sometimes less really is more. We are going to reframe this verse in terms of the covenant language it is written in.

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

KEEPING COVENANT PROMISES: RECEIVING COVENANT BENFITS

At first glance, this verse appears deceptively simple. It seems like a warm and fuzzy, feel-good promise—but don’t be fooled. It’s not a passive, automatic blessing but a call to active participation. Romans 8:28 is in fact a call and not only to partnership with God but also to the benefits available to those who do.

ME, ME, ME!

This verse isn’t a magic spell that guarantees an easy life—it’s a truth that requires loving God and active alignment with God’s purpose. This verse is rooted in covenant language, where covenants, by there very nature, is a two-way relationship—unlike the one-sided dynamic we often assume in our relationship with the Lord. Usually we make Christianity all about us.

“if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

“You are My friends if you do what I command you.” (John 15:14)

We are reminded that while Israel may have been God’s people called by His name, they did not always enjoy the benefits associated, simply because they had a tendency to stray from under His protective presence, and get into trouble as a consequence.

Entering into a relationship with the Lord is not a casual acquaintance or a distant admiration—it is a sacred covenant, a binding and irrevocable commitment akin to marriage. In biblical terms, covenant is the deepest and most solemn form of agreement, one sealed by vows and upheld by faithfulness. When we come to Christ, we are not merely signing up for a belief system or adopting a set of principles; we are entering into a divine union, pledging ourselves to Him as He has already pledged Himself to us.

Like a bride and groom who stand before witnesses to exchange vows, we make a promise when we accept the Lordship of Christ. We vow to love, to trust, to obey, and to walk in His ways. Yet, much like marriage, the depth of our commitment is not fully understood in a single moment. Christianity, then, is the lifelong journey of discovering what we have truly agreed to—the process of learning the heart of God, understanding His ways, and aligning our lives with His will. It is through this ongoing transformation that our covenant with Him becomes more than words; it becomes action, devotion, and faithfulness.

Only when we walk in obedience to our covenant can we fully partake in the promises of God. Just as a husband and wife must honour their vows to experience the fullness of marital unity, we must honour our covenant with God through faith, surrender, and action. When we do what He has called us to do, He is free to move as He has promised. For God is faithful—His word does not return void, and His promises are sure. But covenant is a two-sided relationship. If we fail to uphold our part, we may hinder the blessings He longs to pour out upon us.

To enter into covenant is to enter into intimacy, responsibility, and privilege. It is not a passive arrangement but an active, living reality—one where we grow, learn, and become who He has called us to be. And as we walk in that covenant, step by step, we see the unfolding of His faithfulness, the manifestation of His promises, and the beauty of a relationship that is not based on fleeting emotions but on eternal, unshakable love.

The Church: Both the Problem and the Solution

On September 11, 2001, I was driving from the south of France to Naples, making my way to visit a friend I had met while helping run spiritual retreats. It was an ordinary journey until, somewhere between Pisa and Naples, I pulled up to a toll booth. A woman at the booth looked at me with an expression that was anything but ordinary. She informed me of the devastating events unfolding in New York. The weight of her words settled over me like a thick fog—planes crashing into buildings, chaos, destruction, and loss.

But as the world reeled from the shock, I couldn’t shake a deeper conviction stirring within me. What was the true cause of what happened that day? Many would point to political tensions, religious extremism, or geopolitical failures. But at its core, I saw something different. The real cause? The church!

GOD’S COVENANT PROTECTION

9/11 connects nicely with Psalm 91:1

“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”

The church today is both the problem and the solution to its own problems and the problems of the world.

Leading up to that fateful day, the West had been spiraling deeper into debauchery, lasciviousness, and unchecked immorality—a culture drunk on hedonism, forsaking restraint, and, quite frankly, abandoning God. The events of 9/11 were not the root of the problem; they were merely the fruit. The collapse of the Twin Towers was not just an act of terror—it was a sobering wake-up call, a consequence of a society that had lulled itself into spiritual complacency.

And why did it happen? Not simply because there are wicked people in the world, but because there is a real and relentless adversary—a bad devil who prowls like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour,

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8).

He does not need permission where there is no resistance. The tragedy of that day was not just a failure of intelligence or national security; it was the failure of a church that had fallen asleep at its post, failing to stand in the gap, failing to be the watchmen on the walls.

“Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.“ (Psalm 127:1)

When we do not serve God—when we compromise, when we retreat, when we cease to be salt and light—we make ourselves vulnerable to attack. A nation that forgets God exposes itself to the schemes of the enemy. And on that September morning, the consequences of that vulnerability became terrifyingly clear.

Franklin Graham once said:

“We have shaken our fist in God’s face and said, ‘God, we want you out of our schools, our government, and our businesses. We want you out of our marketplace.’ And then we have the gall to ask, ‘Where was God on 9/11?’”

And where was Romans 8:28 on 9/11? Was this promise absent that day? Had God’s word failed? No—it was still in play. But not for a society that had turned its back on Him.

Romans 8:28 is not an unconditional promise that applies to everyone indiscriminately. It is a covenant assurance, reserved for those who love God and walk in alignment with His purpose. And that alignment does not begin with the world—it begins with the Church.

The Church is called to be a beacon in the darkness, the standard-bearer of righteousness, the intercessor standing in the gap between destruction and deliverance. But when it grows apathetic, when its love for God wanes—when it no longer asks for Him or seeks Him with all its heart, soul, mind, and strength—how can it expect the nation to do any differently?

God’s plan has never changed. His faithfulness remains unshaken. But when a people—when a Church—abandons its first love, when it slumbers instead of standing watch, when it accommodates sin instead of confronting it, the hedge of protection weakens. The enemy exploits the gaps we refuse to guard. 9/11 was not proof that God had forsaken us. It was proof that we had forsaken Him.

CONCIDER 2 Chron 15:1-7

“Now the Spirit of God came upon Azariah son of Oded. So he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin.

→The LORD is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you. For many years Israel has been without the true God, without a priest to instruct them, and without the law [instruction set]. But in their distress they turned to the LORD, the God of Israel, and sought Him, and He was found by them. In those days there was no safety for travellers, because the residents of the lands had many conflicts. Nation was crushed by nation, and city by city, for God afflicted them with all kinds of adversity. 

But as for you, be strong; do not be discouraged, for your work will be rewarded.””

Covenant Love: The Foundation of Romans 8:28

Romans 8:28 aligns perfectly with Deuteronomy 7:9 which speaks to the Hebraic mindset that informs Paul’s wirtings:

“The Lord your God… keeps covenant and lovingkindness (khesed) for a thousand generations with those who love (ahav) Him and keep His commandments.”

We say:

• What a friend we have in Jesus, but are we a friend to Jesus?
• We want the benefit of His friendship, but what about the benfits due to Him as the friends we procalim we are?
• I have a relationship with Jesus, but is that merely an expression or a dynamic active engagement?
• I love you, Jesus, but how do you know? Show me, don’t tell me. Actions speak louder than words.

“A man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24)

The term friend in Scripture carries a far deeper meaning than our modern usage suggests. In biblical language, friend is not merely a casual companion or acquaintance—it is a covenant term, signifying a bond sealed by loyalty, commitment, and sacrifice. This is why the old adage “blood is thicker than water” originally referred not to familial ties, but to the sacred nature of covenant. It contrasts the blood of the covenant—a binding, intentional relationship—with the water of the womb, the natural connection shared by siblings.

Covenant friendship is not based on convenience or common interests but on an unbreakable pledge. When God called Abraham His friend (Isaiah 41:8, James 2:23), He was not speaking of mere affection but of a solemn covenant relationship. Likewise, when Jesus told His disciples, “No longer do I call you servants … but I have called you friends” (John 15:15), He was extending an invitation into something far greater than companionship—He was drawing them into covenant.

True biblical friendship, then, is not just about affinity; it is about allegiance. It is a relationship founded not merely on shared experiences, but on a commitment so strong that it surpasses even natural blood ties.

But what kind of relationship do we have? Who defines this relationship? Did we invite Him in, or did He invite us? And what is the purpose of it? What does friendship mean? Who defines what kind of friendship this is? What are the rules of this relationship? What exactly did I agree to when I said, Jesus I give you my life” ? Because all relationships have rules, so why would our relationship defined by the New Covenant be any different. A covenant by definition is a regulated relationship with stipulations.

Covenant Vocabulary:

This brings us to a crucial point—the language of the Bible, or more precisely, its vocabulary. While Scripture often uses words that seem familiar to us, their meanings—their true definitions—are often vastly different from how we understand them in our modern culture.

Unless we grasp this, we risk frustration when things don’t unfold according to our expectations. We may think we understand what Scripture is saying, only to find ourselves disillusioned when reality doesn’t align with our interpretation. But the issue is not with God’s word—it is with our assumptions.

Ignorance is no defence. Entering into covenant with God is not a passive arrangement; it is an intentional commitment. And like any covenant, it carries terms and expectations. If we fail to seek understanding—if we do not take the time to learn what we have voluntarily agreed to—we cannot be surprised when things don’t work as we thought they would. The responsibility is on us to search out the truth, to align ourselves with His meaning rather than forcing His words into our own. Only then can we walk in the fullness of what He has promised.

• Love (Ahav, Agape, Phileo)
  • Jesus is never recorded in Scripture as saying, “I love you,” yet He demonstrated it in the most profound way—by stretching out His arms on the cross. His love was not merely spoken; it was shown. It cost Him everything to reveal His love for us and His obedience to the Father.
  • Jesus didn’t sacrifice Himself because He felt like it, we know He didn’t, He did it because it had to be done.
  • Love is demonstrated through action and loyalty, not emotion or words.
  • We have often been told that God loves us with agapē—a love that is not based on what we have done or who we are, but rather a love that exists in spite of our flaws, failures, and shortcomings. It is an unconditional, sacrificial love that does not depend on our worthiness but on His very nature.
  • How many times have we been told to love God in the same way? Instead,
    • We wait to “feel” God’s presence before we pray.
    • We wait to “feel” motivated before we obey.
    • We wait for the “right moment” instead of making the moment right.
• Friendship (Ahavi, Philos)
  • Friendship is the Bible’s term for covenant partner.
  • Abraham was called the friend of God because of his faithfulness, not His feelings. He was a covenant keeper. He fulfilled His agreed role, and so enabled God to fulfill His.
  • A better translation for the Hebrew and Greek words “Ahavi” and “philos,” respectively, is “lover” not “friend.” And love is not a feelimg it is a duty.
  • In this same vein, we often end up showing more love and commitment to our employers than we do to our spouses—let alone to God. We wake up early, show up on time, meet deadlines, and go the extra mile, all to maintain our jobs. Yet, when it comes to our most sacred relationships, we can be careless, complacent, or half-hearted. If love is measured by devotion, priority, and sacrifice, then our actions reveal where our true affections lie.
• Kaleō (To call, invite, appoint, summon, signal, battlecry)
  • Our calling is not passive; it is not merely something we hear—it is an invitation to action, to partnership, and to cooperation with God. It demands response, movement, and alignment with His will. To be called is to be commissioned, not just informed. True calling requires us to step forward in faith, actively engaging with the purpose for which we were created.
  • On our own, we are powerless—limited by our weaknesses, failures, and human frailty. But with God, we are powerful, equipped with His strength, authority, and Spirit. Our effectiveness is not found in our own abilities but in our partnership with Him. When we align ourselves with His will, surrender to His guidance, and walk in His power, there is nothing that can stand against us.
  • We are called to come to Him—not only so that He can help us, but so that we can partner with Him in His work. He strengthens, equips, and empowers us, not just for our own benefit, but so that we may carry out His purposes on the earth. Our relationship with God is not one-sided; it is a divine partnership, where His power flows through us to accomplish His will.
• Prothesis (God’s predetermined plan and process)
  • God’s divine blueprint for His people, aka the Kingdom of God, His will and His control on earth as it is in heaven.
  • “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)
  • “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
• Kata (Alignment through practice / demonstration)
  • True righteousness comes through spiritual discipline.
  • “If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7)
  • God requires us to “abide” meaning stay spiritually embedded in Him through spiritual practice.
  • Following onto Jeremiah 29:11 we have vs. 12-14, “In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the LORD. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.”
• Khesed (Lovingkindness, Mercy, Grace)
  • Covenantal benefits and duties aka love aka duty and reward.

Kata: The Spiritual Practice of Alignment

The Greek word kata conveys a sense of alignment, discipline, and intentional practice. In martial arts, kata refers to choreographed movements that must be rehearsed and perfected until they become second nature. Likewise, in the spiritual life, we must train ourselves in righteousness until living in divine alignment becomes instinctual.

To walk kata prothesis—actively aligned with/to divine purpose—is to engage in the restoration of creation, mirroring Jesus’ instruction:

“Pray….Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)

The garden of Eden, is the original model of heaven on earth.

We must stop expecting something significant from God if we are not prepared to demand more of ourselves. The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is afterall the extra. And that is what sacrifice is, something significant that costs us to give it. THe most precious commodity we have is time, and its value incereas with each passing day.

Abraham was called the friend of God (Ahavi), not because of sentiment but because of action and loyalty. Love in the biblical sense is not passive—it is demonstrated through faithfulness and obedience.

Prothesis: The Divine Blueprint of Purpose

If kata is the practice of alignment, prothesis is the divine blueprint—the eternal purpose set forth by God. The Greek word prothesis (πρόθεσις) means a preordained design, an intention established before time itself.

“All things work together for good kata prothesis—according to [aligned with] His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

This is not passive fatalism but an call (kaleo) to participate in God’s redemptive mission. We are not drifting aimlessly; we are called to intentionally build upon the divine foundation.

Like a blueprint drawn before construction begins, God’s prothesis is the foundation of His redemptive plan. It was never about whether God was with us—it has always been about whether we are with Him.

Things have always gone wrong when we wern’t.

Loving God with All Your Heart: Embracing the Royal Law of Love

Abraham’s title as God’s friend was far more than a sentimental designation—it was a relationship marked by action and loyalty. His love for God was not a passive emotion but an active, living faith demonstrated through obedience and covenant faithfulness. This action-based love mirrors the Greek understanding that affection deepens through acts of loyalty and goodness—what we might call “love in action.”

In the New Testament, the phrase “friend of God” implies a profound, covenantal bond rather than mere companionship. Abraham’s friendship with God rested on covenant love—a relationship of unwavering trust and mutual duty. In Greek, the phrase could even be interpreted as “the one whom God loves” or “the one who loves God,” underscoring the reciprocal nature of their relationship.

The Hebrew expression for “friend of God” (Isaiah 41:8) is אַהֲבִי (Ahavi), meaning “the one whom I love” and, by extension, “the one who loves me.” Rooted in the Hebrew verb אהב (ahav, “to love”) and combined with the possessive suffix “י” (yod, indicating “my” or “mine”), this term captures the covenantal intimacy of the bond. Ahavi signifies a relationship built on deep, steadfast love—one that is inseparable from loyalty and action.

Abraham’s covenant friendship with God exemplifies true faithfulness. His story teaches us that to be God’s friend is to engage in a dynamic, reciprocal relationship.

The Covenant Reality: Love in Action

A strong verse that connects ahavah (love) with obedience and alignment is Deuteronomy 10:12:

“And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and to love (אַהֲבָה – ahavah) Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul?”

• Love (ahavah) is directly linked to action – walking in God’s ways, serving Him, and revering Him.
• Spiritual practice is the evidence of true love – This verse defines love for God as an active commitment, not just an emotion.
• It echoes Romans 8:28 – Those who love God (ahavah) are those who align with His purpose (prothesis)
• As Don Francisco sang, “Love is not a feeling, it is an act of your will.“

We say, “Where is God?” But that has never been the question. The question has always been: Where are we?

Romans 8:28 isn’t a passive promise; it’s a call to covenant partnership. Are we in?

Conclusion: Men of Covenant, Rise Up

In light of what we have discussed, a better translation for Romans 8:28 could be,

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who keep covenant with God, to those who are summoned to actively align with His original plan [for control of earth as it is in heaven].”

Romans 8:28 is not a passive promise—it is a call to purpose-driven living, to partnership, duty, and sacrificial commitment. And while there is a cost associated with this covenant relationship, it is nowhere near the cost of living without it, both now and eternally. Additionally, the rewards far outweigh the initial investment.

We waste so much of our energy romancing the wrong things—past mistakes, regrets, frustrations, failures, dreams and fleeting comforts. We obsess over what went wrong, question where we are, and fear what’s ahead. We long for ease, but real love—Ahavi, the love of a friend of God—is not about comfort. It’s about commitment. In short we are attempting to “save” ourselves instead of surrendering to the Lord and letting Him save us.

“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” (Ephesian 3:20)

God does not call us to a faith built on emotion. He calls us to a faith built on commitment, responsibility, and action aka duty.

So I ask you today:

• Are you a man of covenant or a man of convenience?
• Are you walking in responsibility or waiting for a sign?
• Are you loving God with your actions or just your emotions?

Men of God, the world doesn’t need more passive believers. It needs covenant men—men who love God, not just in passion, but in perseverance.

Take responsibility. Take action. Live in purpose.

And watch how all things begin to work together for your good.

DEVOTIONAL PRAYER: A CALL TO COVENANT PARTNERSHIP

Heavenly Father,

I come before You today, recognising that Your promises are not passive guarantees but invitations to partnership. You have called me not to mere belief but to action—to love You not just in word, but in obedience, alignment, and trust.

Lord, I acknowledge that Romans 8:28 is not a blanket assurance for all, but a covenant promise for those who love You and walk according to Your purpose. I choose today to love You with more than my emotions—with my will, my actions, and my commitment.

Forgive me for the times I have expected the benefits of covenant without embracing its responsibilities. Forgive me for the moments I have questioned where You are, when the real question has always been: Where am I? Am I in alignment? Am I abiding? Am I walking in step with Your purpose?

Teach me, O God, to be a true friend of Jesus—not merely a recipient of His love, but a covenant keeper who walks in loyalty, faithfulness, and discipline. Let my love for You be demonstrated in the way I live, the way I serve, and the way I surrender my will to Yours.

I refuse to be a passive Christian, waiting for You to act while I remain idle. Instead, I step into the calling You have placed on my life. I declare that I am a man/woman of covenant, not of convenience. I will take responsibility, I will take action, and I will live in purpose.

Holy Spirit, empower me to abide in You, to align with Your will, and to love You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Let my life be a reflection of covenant love—a life lived in faithfulness, obedience, and unwavering trust in Your divine plan.

I surrender again to Your purpose, trusting that as I walk in alignment with You, all things will indeed work together for good.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.