“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. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified” (Romans 8:29-30).
“If Paul looks into the distant past before the creation of the world, he sees that God foreknew and predestined his people to be conformed to the image of Christ.
If he looks at the recent past he finds that God called and justified his people whom he had predestined.
And if he then looks toward the future when Christ returns, he sees that God has determined to give perfect , glorified bodies to those who believe in Christ.
From eternity to eternity God has acted with the good of his people in mind.
But if God has always acted for our good and will in the future act for our good, Paul reasons, then will He not also in our present circumstances work every circumstance together for our good as well?
In this way predestination is seen as comfort for believers in the everyday events of life.”
Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine, page 673.
Absolutely comforting and encouraging, that is if we don’t misunderstand the ‘God foreknew’ part. Amen? Grace and love!
Right, Petra!
Foreknew as in “foreloved” NOT that God looked down the corridor of time and saw who would love Him first!
He set His grace and mercy upon us from eternity past with a sovereign and distinguishing delight!
This is a great comfort to me. From beginning to end, it was and will be God’s doing. And He gets all the glory!
Praise God for a sure salvation that is wholly His work and not dependent on me, but rests entirely on the finished work of Christ. The Christian hope can never fail….
For God to act “with the good of his people in mind” seems to me to be a fairly good definition of love. In fact, unless love is behind these divine acts, it would be sheer coercion.
“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.”
(Eph 1:4–6)
How sweet it is to be guided, guarded, and governed by love itself!
Amen, Persis, Shaan, and Paul!
Ichabod Spencer, affectionately referred to as the Bunyan of Brooklyn said this:
“…God will no more abandon us than he will abandon the eternal plan which his wisdom formed before the foundation of the world.”
Thanking God with you for this blessed assurance!
Love and blessings!
Thank you Lord for choosing me, before I knew You.
God Bless,
Elba