Romans Chapter 8 Vs. 30

 

Future Glory

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. Rom 8:30

whom he did... God has foreordained, determined, and predestined that all people be called to salvation, but that only the ones who accept become genuine called ones to be justified and glorified. None are glorified, but those who, according to His purpose, meet the terms of the gospel. Who they will be is left up to the individual (John 3:16; 1Tim. 2:4; 2Pet. 3:9; Rev. 22:17; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 3:19). All things depend upon meeting the conditions of the gospel (Rom. 8:1-13, 8:28).

In 2Tim. 1:9 we read:

2Tim. 1:9 “Who hath saved us, and called [us] with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,”

whom he called... The calling (of 8:28), is pre-temporal; it occurred before the creation of the world (Eph. 1:4). The calling here is temporal and refers to the effectual communication of the gospel, resulting in salvation.

he also justified... indicates being declared righteous. It signifies the believer’s judicial standing before God. There is no just cause in man to warrant justification. This unmerited favor is bestowed through the redemption paid by Jesus Christ on the cross. The redeemed sinner is released on the basis of the ransom’s having been paid.

he also glorified... Glorification is God’s doing. While God’s foreknowledge and predestination take place in eternity, and while God’s calling and justification are realized in history, God’s glorifying is yet future. It is as certain, however, as the previous works. Hence glorified is in the past tense. From God’s point of view it is already accomplished.

The plan was set at the foundation of the world. Man could not be saved by his own deeds, he must have a Savior. That Savior we must have is Jesus Christ our Lord. We do know that God’s call for many of His ministers was a call before they were even born, like John the Baptist.

John the Baptist’s entire life (even before birth), was planned of God. Read the account of John the Baptist’s birth (in Luke chapter 1). This does not mean that John had no Choice. He could have refused, but he didn’t. God knew he would carry out God’s purpose in his life. Obedience to God’s will in our life will bring peace in our life too.

Most people today take their call to serve God far too lightly. It is serious business to answer God’s call and serve God. We must first be able to say “not my will be done, but thine O Lord” and then say, “Here am I Lord, send me”.

The entire group that is brought into relationship with God in His eternal plan by divine foreknowledge and choice is predestined (proōrisen, “predetermined”; cf. Eph. 1:5, 1:11). God determined beforehand the believers’ destiny, namely, conformity to the image of Jesus Christ. By all saints being made like Christ (ultimate and complete sanctification), Christ will be exalted as the Firstborn among many brothers. The resurrected and glorified Lord Jesus Christ will become the Head of a new race of humanity purified from all contact with sin and prepared to live eternally in His presence (cf. 1Cor. 15:42-49). As the “Firstborn” He is in the highest position among others (cf. Col. 1:18).

Between the start and finish of God’s plan are three steps: being called (cf. Rom. 1:6; 8:28), being justified (cf. Rom. 3:24, 3:28; 4:2; 5:1, 5:9), and being glorified (cf. Rom. 8:17; Col. 1:27; 3:4), and in the process not a single person is lost. God completes His plan without slippage. “Glorified” is in the past tense because this final step is so certain that in God’s eyes it is as good as done. To be glorified is another way of saying that God’s children will be “conformed” to His Son; and that is God’s ultimate “purpose.” No longer will they “fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23).