The Great Eight - Pt 24

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. (Romans 28-30 ESV).

This wonderful verse contains a promise. Paul simply declares that all things work together for good. Further he provides two descriptions of the beneficiaries of the promise. This promise is delivered to those who love God and those who are called according to his purpose. In describing the beneficiaries of the promise, Paul also gives us a little summary preview of the deep foundation of the promise which he will unpack a bit in the next two verses. We must look at these more deeply than a mere cursory glance. So, let’s begin. When Paul says that the beneficiaries are those who are “called according to God’s purpose,” he points ahead to his next two sentences. The first is an unfolding of “God’s purpose”: Those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brethren (v. 29). The next sentences unfolds the implications of the “calling”: And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified (v. 30). It’s going to take us a few days in the format of Morning Devotionals to fully explore the depth of these verses. Today we’ll just look at the beneficiaries of the promise. We must answer who may be certain that all the pain in their life is really the wise and good therapy of a sovereign God to bring about their good. Paul gives two answers. He defines the beneficiaries of this promise first by what they do toward God, and second by what God did toward them. All things work together for good, in the first place, “to them that love God.” The beneficiaries of this promise are people who love God. Then, in the second place, Paul describes the beneficiaries of this promise as “those who are called according to his purpose.” The closest clue about the meaning of “called” is where Paul says, “And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified.” What we learn from this verse is that God justifies everyone that he calls. He acquits them. He pardons them. They are treated as righteous. They are his children. “Those whom he called he justified.” The simple answer then becomes “God’s children.” If you are a child of God, a believer in Christ, then you are the beneficiary of this promise. This is not a work of your own doing; it is a work completely and solely of God (cf. Ephesians 2:8-10). So, child of God, walk in this promise!