The Great Eight - Pt 29

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 8:28-30 ESV).

Before we get to the final verses of this chapter we need to understand this “call” a bit more. It is the foundation of this great declaration of victory Paul declares as he closes the chapter. So, let me put it in a picture. The apostle writes to the Corinthians: but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles (1 Corinthians 1:23 ESV). Many regard Christ’s death as foolishness; typically they reveal this belief by declaring it akin to a “fairytale.” However, those who are called see in him the power and the wisdom of God. Something has happened to them. They’ve been called. Picture it this way: before you were called by God, you were in real sense asleep in your life. And in your life you saw Jesus. Only in your routine he looked foolish. He wasn’t attractive. You wondered why others made such a big deal out of him. In your understanding your stuff was more exciting. Then the Holy Spirit came into your life and called, in a voice, just loud enough to shake you out of your “sleep.” You opened your eyes. And there before you stood the real Jesus Christ. And his glory was unmistakable. And you knew that all your thoughts about his being foolish and unreal and unattractive were mere fantasies and empty images of sleeping mind. Christ crucified was now for you what it really is. You came to know the power and wisdom of God. That is what it means to be called. So, if at any depth you believe that Jesus is real and his death was on your behalf, you have been called. That simply cannot happen any other way. This calling then precipitates all the rest of God’s work in your life. You have been “justified,” which is the legal declaration of you being acquitted of any and all offenses in your life. There is no debt to pay; there is no sentence to serve. You have been set free from you condemnation and cleared of all charges against you, now and forever! And, then, you have also been “glorified.” This is both a present position as well as a future position. Today, I can rest in the knowledge that my prominence is rooted in His work, not mine. And, remember, this is all a work of God. I can’t lose what I didn’t win in the first place. I didn’t do anything to get it; I can’t do anything to lose it. This takes us to the celebration of the cross. No wonder it is so hard to understand. However, it is true. God gives us life when he chooses us – life today and life forever!