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. – Romans 8:29-30
Paul’s purpose in this chapter has been to give followers of Jesus absolute assurance that they are completely secure in the favour and love of God. There is no condemnation for any and all who are in Christ Jesus. There is no pain or suffering that would indicate that a Christian has somehow slipped out of God’s loving care for them. There is no circumstance that God will not work together for their ultimate good, for their revelation as glorified children of God. No ifs, no buts, no maybes. But if there was any niggling doubt, any hint of a question still remaining, Paul answers it here. An unbreakable chain, beginning with God, continuing with God and ending with God. An irresistible movement from stage to stage until our final consummation in glory.
There is no denying that we have a part to play. Paul has made it clear that we must take responsibility for our progress in sanctification, and yet in the end, our progress (or lack thereof) will be filled up.
God will complete what He began when He set His love on us before the foundation of the world. When it says that God “foreknew” us, it isn’t saying that God had an awareness of our existence. God stands outside of time and is aware of everyone’s existence, not just those whom He will ultimately glorify. Consistently, in both Old and New Testaments, when God knows someone (even the nation of Israel) it means that He has chosen to set His love upon them. He has chosen them for special relationship. Though God does love everyone, His redeeming love is reserved for His children.
Some begin to get a bit twitchy at the mention of ‘predestination’, and I admit it is a difficult doctrine to understand and accept, and that there are faithful Christians who disagree. A basic explanation of this doctrine is that humans are incapable of choosing God (because of sin – see especially Romans 3:10-12), and that the only reason anyone is saved is because God chose and enabled them for salvation. The person made a real choice, but the choice was only possible because God had already softened their heart toward Him.
I don’t think Paul intended to give a theological treatise on the subject in these verses. His purpose here is to assure believers of their unalterable standing in God’s sight. And yet I wonder how assured we really can be if we are only saved because of something we did. Wouldn’t it be possible to then undo it? Or to think you’ve done it, but have missed the mark? Predestination says that the reason I am saved is because of who God is and what God has done, not because of who I am and what I have done. This is why our salvation is completely secure and assured. It is not ultimately dependent on us. As one who is saved, I truly have no grounds whatsoever for boasting. I can only boast in my Lord.
But whether you hold to this doctrine or not, all Christians affirm God’s sovereignty in all things, and the responsibility and accountability we have for all our decisions.
Here is the truth we can know, that all who are in Christ Jesus will be kept by Him and conformed to Him. Our glory will be to be finally conformed to the likeness of Jesus, to be the people whom God created us to be, whom He saw – perfected – in His mind’s eye before the foundation of the world. Though we will all be conformed to Jesus, yet we will not all be the same. We will still be unique and more ourselves than we ever could be in our un-glorified, sinful state. The good work that God began in us is not simply ‘generic’ glorification (if you could even apply such a word as ‘generic’ to glorification); the good work will be to bring us to be completely and fully us without the baggage and distortion that sin effects on our desires and character. All our gifts will finally be able to be developed and expressed fully, without jealousy or sloth or missed opportunity. All our desires will finally be able to be fully enjoyed, without consuming us and with hearts free to praise the praiseworthy rather than snagged on the hurts of sin. All that we left unexpressed because we felt ashamed or selfish will be fully and properly expressed and able to bring joy and encouragement to others; and we will receive this too. Our hopes will no longer be thwarted. We will lack no good thing, and we will bask in the glory of God, and finally be free to live.
This is the smallest sliver of a glimpse at what God intends for His children. It cannot be taken away. It will not be withheld. It is all of God. He has said it, and it will be done.
Prayer focus:
- Praise God that we will be conformed to the image of His Son.
- Pray that we would grow to love God and His plans and purposes for us more than what we desire for ourselves.
- Pray that we would be bold in the secure love and care of God, that we would be willing to take risks as we love and care for others because our position is unshakeable.
