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

How many of us can quote Romans 8:28 by heart? Even if we cannot, it would probably be familiar to our ears.

It has inspired countless wall plaques and bumper stickers – and for good reason. It has brought comfort to innumerably people amidst inexplicable suffering.

But hang on – how many of us can quote Romans 8:29, the verse that comes immediately after?

Here it is: “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.”

The cost of becoming like Christ

In biblical studies, a verse should be read in its context, and in verse 29 we have Paul’s explanation of what the “good” and “his purpose” in verse 28 actually refer to –“to be conformed to the image of his Son”. 

In other words, to become more like Jesus.

Romans 8:28 has often been a great source of comfort for me, but I have had to confront the reality that for much of my life I have missed out on Romans 8:29. 

God makes all things work together for good not for my own sake, but so that I will become more like Jesus.

I have suffered from what I coin the “Missing-Half Syndrome”. How could I have missed it?

The answer is plain: I like hearing that everything will work out for good in my life. Who wouldn’t? But do I really want to become like Jesus?

Regrettably, the answer has often been no. Because becoming like Jesus is a painful process.

It means first exposing and confessing my sins to God in order to be forgiven. It means allowing Him to tear down the walls of my pride. It means allowing the Master Surgeon to cut deep and excise the cancers of self-centredness and worldliness, sometimes without anaesthesia!

How Paul avoided the Missing-Half Syndrome

Another example of the Missing-Half Syndrome can be found in Philippians 4:13, a verse that many of us can quote from memory: “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

But what about Philippians 4:11-12, the verses that come immediately before? 

“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought love, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.” (Philippians 4:11-12)

Here the meaning of “all things” in verse 13 is made clear: It is both abounding and being brought low; both plenty and hunger, both abundance and need. 

We often pray for the former, but grumble when we get the latter. And yet Paul can say that he has learnt to be content in all circumstances.

How did Paul successfully avoid the Missing-Half Syndrome? Part of the answer can be found earlier in Philippians:

“For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ … that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death …” (Philippians 3:8-10)

Here we see Paul successfully bringing both halves together – he suffers the loss of all things so that he can gain Christ. And what a great gain that is! He inherits the righteousness of God through faith and experiences the incredible resurrection power of Christ.

But hang on, there is still one more half not to miss: “… and may share in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death …”

The great paradox of Christian discipleship is that the path to the glory of heaven runs straight through the suffering of the cross. There is no Easter without Good Friday, no resurrection without crucifixion.

If we wish to be conformed to the image of Jesus and experience His resurrection power, we must be prepared to take up our cross every day and lose in order to gain.

Bringing together rejoicing and suffering

Here is a quote by Thomas à Kempis from The Imitation of Christ that sums up the Missing-Half Syndrome perfectly:

“Jesus today has many who love his heavenly kingdom, but few who carry his cross; many who yearn for comfort, few who long for distress.

“Plenty of people he finds to share his banquet; few to share his fast. Everyone desires to take part in his rejoicing, but few are willing to suffer anything for his sake.

“There are many that follow Jesus as far as the breaking of bread, few as far as drinking the cup of suffering; many that revere his miracles, few that follow him in the dignity of his cross.”

And yet, it is only by bringing the two halves together – comfort and distress, rejoicing and suffering – that we experience true fullness of life.

Think and Pray:

1. Have you suffered from the “Missing-Half Syndrome” when reading the Bible passages above, or other passages in the Bible?
2. Do you truly want to become like Jesus? How can you let yourself be transformed to become more like Jesus?
3. What does it mean for you to take up your cross every day and follow Jesus in your life?

This devotion was republished with permission from Sojourn: A One-Year Weekly Devotional by Dr Winston Chin.

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