Read Romans 8:29-30
Predestination is one of the oldest and most controversial debates within the Christian church. Contrary to what a lot of people would say, the debate did not begin in the 16th or 17th century, but in the early stages of the church. Augustine and Pelagius were the main representatives of discussing God’s role in salvation and human agency in salvation. While this debate is an important one, it is also important to remember that it is not an essential component of the Christian faith. Therefore, we should always strive to live at peace and in harmony with other Christians who disagree with us on that issue. In addition, Paul is not really trying to lay out a comprehensive understanding or doctrine of predestination in these verses (though if you take them out of the context of the letter it might seem like it!). Instead, Paul is seeking to remind the Roman church of God’s power and perfect love for his people in the midst of a fallen world that is in bondage to corruption. It is in the midst of human weakness (vs. 26) that Paul pushes into God’s strength. Understanding the basis of God’s promise in vs. 28, that all things work for the good of God’s people, is the purpose of bringing up his perfect love that he chose to place upon us from before the foundations of the earth (Ephesians 1:4).
The slew of terms that Paul throws out in these two verses has been described as a golden chain: foreknown—>predestined—>called—>justified—>glorified. This process of salvation all has the outcome of the ultimate good, that we would be “conformed to the image of his son” in order that Jesus would be glorified. In giving us this beautiful perspective of our salvation Paul is showing us why it is that the suffering of this present life (as real and painful as it is) is not worth comparing to the glory that is to come. Our destiny is sealed and we are guaranteed to see the image of God perfected in us just as it is perfect in Jesus. He, as our older brother, shows us what our future will be, and as he is glorified, we are wrapped up and included in his glory. We become a walking illustration of Jesus’ glory. Each of the terms that Paul uses to describe how the process of salvation takes us to this wonderful outcome is helpful and comforting to consider:
Foreknown: God has set his special redemptive love on all of his people before the foundations of the earth. He doesn’t foresee us, or foreknow something about us, but he loves us first, that we will then respond by loving him.
Predestined: God has committed himself to us from eternity. There is no cost that is too high for God to pay in saving us. Father, Son, and Spirit are completely committed to bringing about our salvation.
Called: God bends the events of history to bring his perfect plan into real time by calling every one of his people personally. This call is made up of the gospel message of salvation of sinners through Jesus Christ, and it resonates deeply in our soul. When God calls us, he speaks with power, just as he did when he spoke the world into existence. He calls, we answer.
Justified: There is therefore no condemnation for those in Jesus Christ. Justification is the opposite of condemnation. God pronounces us righteous and as he does that we are fully accepted by him.
Glorified: The outcome of our salvation is to be a new creation that perfectly displays the glory of God. Our salvation becomes more beautiful when it is not ultimately about us, but about reflecting and illustrating God’s glory. This is our destiny, and it is everlasting.
Questions:
How does God’s “foreknowledge” of us establish the nature of our relationship to him?
What is helpful about viewing predestination as something that is meant to comfort us?
How did you experience God’s call for you to believe in Jesus and trust him?
How do justification and glorification help us as we suffer in this life?