Romans 8:28-30

Romans 8:28-30: “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. 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.”

Whew, some big words in that paragraph: foreknew, predestined, conformed, called, purposes, justified, glorified. And they seem to jump around in the sequence of events. Let’s look at it in a more linear way, from beginning to ending.

Predestination is God determining certain things to occur ahead of time. Since He had already determined the certain things to occur (here in terms of who would accept Christ as Lord and Savior), He foreknew (already determined and knew) who would come to love Him in their lifetime.

Those whom He predestined and foreknew, those who would love Him, He “called” (He chose and set apart) for a specific purpose – the specific purpose being to “conform to the image of his Son” (maturing in their faith thereby gaining victories over sin, loving/serving/honoring God, themselves and others).

And for those who would love God and accept Christ as Lord and Savior, He would work for their good in all things. God’s purpose is not to make us happy. Bad things will happen. Difficult struggles will exist. But God will ultimately work out good results that will bring honor and glory to Christ Jesus.

As followers of Christ, we are justified, meaning we are forgiven and made righteous before God. And following Christ’s return, when the justified are received in heaven, we will be glorified, receiving the final removal of sin from our lives.

Consider this:

Have you not yet accepted Christ, yet you think and wonder about Him? That, dear friend, is God’s Holy Spirit nudging you, calling you, according to His predestined plan and purposes.

Have you accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior? Isn’t it amazing that He knew you at the beginning of time, that He called you – and continues to call you daily to His purpose? That you are seen, loved and forever will be on His mind and in His heart?

Lord, how can it be? How can it be that You are mindful of us? But You are. And not only that, you love us and are committed to helping us by the power of Your Holy Spirit to faithfully sojourn in this world as followers of Christ Jesus, Your beloved Son. Help us to live according to Your desires for us. May we be mindful of Your love, grateful for Your forgiveness and willing to walk the narrow path of obedience to Your plan. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.