Romans 8:29-30, God’s Power to Save!
Romans 8:29-30 (KJV) 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
God’s power to save extolled! Before the believer is born God chooses him for eternal glory. It is a mind-boggling truth for the finite mind to grasp. Let us do so in faith.
God first predetermine the believer for eternal salvation. The believer in the fullness of time is conceived in his mother’s womb and receives physical birth. In the course of his earthly life, God will intervene to call him to salvation. This call is irresistible. It is an effectual call that will result in him hearing the gospel and responding with contrition of heart. He receives spiritual birth. This salvation is termed “justified”. It means being righteous before God through the merits of Jesus Christ. The believer continues to experience this good standing before God through his lifetime and for all eternity. When he dies, his soul is transported to glory in heaven. This blessedness of the believer finds its fullness at the rapture of the church when the believer receives a glorified body. The glorified body is incorruptible, glorious and everlasting.
The believer has yet to see the glory of God’s salvation in his life. The Apostle Paul is showing us the infinite preciousness accorded to every believer from beginning to end. He is special and unique in God’s sight. And there is a unique purpose for his existence upon earth.
Dear brethren, There is an eternal destiny to fulfill called “God’s will for our lives”. The prophet Jeremiah understands and testifies in Jeremiah 1:4-5 … the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. The psalmist David understands and testifies in Psalm 139:13-17 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. 14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. 15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. 17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
Truly, it is a life worth living when the believer understands God’s infinite love accorded to his care from beginning to end. How can he possibly be discouraged after comprehending what God has done and is still doing and will do for him? Indeed, this doctrine of God’s eternal salvation plan for our lives must cause us to worship and praise Him for all that we have and will receive from His good hand! And cause us to examine our lives for salvation’s fruit. Amen.