8:28
This is possibly the most well known verse in Romans, but often poorly understood, and it needs to be taken with 8:29. First, it applies to those who love God and were called according to His purpose. This does not mean we earn God’s help, but that the fruits of salvation are for those who love God. Loving God is part of our salvation. Salvation is God focused. God causes all things to work together for our good. However, it is “our good” as defined by God, not by us!
8:29
And God’s purpose is that we be conformed to the image of Christ, that we become like Jesus. God is continually working to make us more and more like Jesus. He has predestined us. Now some people get upset by the notion of predestination, they really shouldn’t. Predestination does not mean we are passive, nor does it mean that we are puppets in God’s hands. If you read the Bible you will not find any puppets in there. It is God’s settled purpose, and He will achieve that purpose. God’s purpose is that Christ is the “firstborn among many brothers”. Firstborn implies preeminence. Jesus lived a life of perfect love, trust and obedience to the Father. God’s purpose is that there will be many more like Him!
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