Romans 8:29,30

Having looked at predestination in general in the previous post, let's look at it in the context of Romans 8. For, as mentioned yesterday, Paul talks about predestination for a purpose, not for a debate.

When we go through trials of various sorts and for various reasons we often wonder why things are happening, how it is all going to end, and how we are going to get through it.

We can be absolutely confident of God's purpose. His purpose is that we become more like Christ. And God's purposes will win through in the end. Christ was raised from the dead to be the firstborn of many brothers (and this includes sisters). We are part of God's plan, it will not fail.

Then we read of the pattern in verse 30. We were predestined, we were called, we were justified, we are glorified. How do we know we have been predestined (and remember, do not read this as though it is fate)? We know it because God called us. Through the cross we have been justified, and we will be glorified. We are not living this life alone, we are not living it as products of random chance, but as people who are part of God's plan.

Let me just once again give a warning about silly interpretations of predestination. Sometimes people wonder well if God has already decided who has been saved what is the point of anything. This is an utterly unBiblical way of approaching things. We are called to live our own lives in a way that is worthy of the calling, and we are called to make disciples of all nations. So we should just get on with it.