Wednesday, August 16, 2017
Romans 8:28-30 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, there He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
IN CONTEXT: WE KNOW THAT ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD (3)
God "foreknew" us. He not only knew we would exist for a few short years on this planet, but He "knew" us according to a certain purpose or plan. He mapped out a series of events that would happen in our lives, with the goal that we might be "copies" of His eternal Son.
God "predestined" us. He made Himself the Author of our destiny. To accomplish this He called us, chose us, elected us to be His children. He did this not by our choosing Him, but by His choosing us.
So the call-for-decision preachers are dead wrong; they are false teachers. We do not choose God, but He chose us from before the beginning of the world.
Oh, the wonder of God's Gospel! Note the past tense of all these verbs: predestined, called, justified, glorified! Fellow believers, the thing is done! It's all finished and accomplished. Sin is atoned for, death has been conquered.
"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1). The gift of eternal life is as sure and certain as is the fact that Jesus Christ lives and reigns to all eternity.
Be still, my soul; the Lord is on your side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to your God to order and provide;
In ev'ry change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul; your best, your heav'nly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
(Lutheran Service Book, 752:1)
