Romans 8:29-30, “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. 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.”
One morning last week I stopped at a local gas station to fuel up. The pump failed to give me a receipt so I walked in and asked the attendant for one. While in the store I over heard two gentlemen talking about the truth and facts, One of them said, “My believing or unbelieving will not make it true or not true.” The other said, “Yes sir, our believing and unbelieving will not change the facts.” Both of them left the store before I could try to enter into the discussion, but my mind quickly raced to Romans 8:29-30.
The Apostle Paul was a man who, by the revelation of the Lord, understood the truth. He had opposed the truth at one time in his life, but at the time he penned the Epistle to the Romans he was willing to die for it (Galatians 1:13, 23). In our study verses, the Apostle Paul declares the truth about Eternal Salvation. These are the facts:
- The Sovereign God of the universe “did foreknow”; or before the world began, loved His people with an everlasting love in a covenant of grace. Some have interpreted the word “foreknow” to mean that God simply knew about everyone on earth. I do agree that He knows about everyone, but this word cannot be defined in such a manner. In Genesis 4:1 we read that “Adam knew his wife;…” In Amos 3:2 we read the Lord’s words to Israel, “You only have I known of all the families of the earth:…” In both of these examples there is no argument that the knowledge of existence was present, but the word is stronger than that definition. In Genesis 4:1 Adam became intimate with his wife. In Amos 3:2, the Lord is declaring He loved Israel in a way other nations didn’t experience. In Romans 8:29 when we read the Lord “did foreknow” it is making reference to something much stronger than a mere knowledge of existence. It’s referring to God’s covenant love that He had and has for His people.
- Those He “did foreknow”, He “did predestinate.” The word means that God before hand determined the people He “did foreknow” would be with Him in glory in the image of His dear Son (Ephesians 1:5, 11).
- Those He did “predestinate” them He also “called.” The word “called” in this verse is telling us about the time in the elect child of God’s life when the Lord regenerates them to life in Him. Paul would say in Ephesians 2:1, “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sin;…” In John 3:3 when the Lord says “born again” He is teaching the same as “called” in Romans 8:29.
- Those He “called” them He “justified.” The Lord paid the debt owed for sin when He died on the Cross. He removed the record of sin in heaven with His atoning blood. Hebrews 8:12 says that “their sins and iniquities I will remember no more.”
- Those he “justified, them He also “glorified,” Praise God, one great and glorious day the entire family of God without the loss of one will be with God in heaven glorified together and glorified forever.
This is the truth and these are the facts. Whether we believe it or not it doesn’t change the truth or the facts. But by believing the truth and the facts I find it makes a big difference in my life while living here in this world. Believing the truth and resting in God gives me peace and joy. Believing the truth motivates me to serve Him more. Serving Him more gives me more assurance that I’m found in the number that He did foreknow, predestinate, call, justify and will one day glorify. And that makes the burdens of this life much easier to bear because the best for all of His people is yet to come. Amen!