Romans 8:28-30

Passage

And we have known that for the ones who love God all things work together into good, for the ones who are according to a called purpose.  That those whom He selected beforehand He also foreordained to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that He is the firstborn in many brothers.  And those whom He foreordained He also called these ones.   Even those whom He called He also declared these ones righteous.  Even those whom He declared righteous He also glorified these ones.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Here we have an often quoted passage: “All things work together into good.”  However, we also often forget the stipulation: “for the ones who are according to a called purpose.”  When I am obedient to God, I can trust that all things will work together for good.  But when I act in my disobedience and sin, there is no guarantee that it will work out for good.  Sure, God can redeem my sin if He so chooses, but often there are consequences that need to be dealt with as well.  The only way to be sure that things will work out together for good is to reside within my obedience to God.

Why do you think Paul keeps pointing us back to obedience?  Why is obedience to Him so vastly important to the Christian life?

Second Thought:

Paul also reminds us of the overarching goal.  We are to be conformed to the image of His Son.  Again we hear a point that we’ve spoken of in the past few days.  We are not to become Christ, we are to become like Christ.  He is the firstborn, we are those who follow where He has gone.  We are inherently followers, hopefully going only where God’s grace has already gone before us.

What does it mean to you to be conformed to the image of Christ?  Where can people see you being like Christ?  Where might people struggle to see Christ in you?

Third Thought:

Paul then gives us a blessed chain of events.  Foreordained leads to calling, calling leads to being declared righteous, and being declared righteous leads to being glorified.  There are two really neat points to consider in this.  The first point is invitational.  It all begins with God’s action.  He foreordains our calling and equipping.  What God purposes to do shall not fail!  The second point is challenging.  In order to get to glory, you have to go through calling.  God does not foreordain us into putting a rubber stamp on us so we can sit on our hands.  Rather, God foreordains us so that we can be called to live out His purpose.  A response of committal is expected as we progress from calling to glory.

How do you respond to God’s calling?  If God is calling you, how can you step out knowing that you step out into His foreordaining?  Why can this be helpful to remember?

Passage for Tomorrow: Romans 8:31-32