The Heart of the Gospel - Pt 19

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).

Our reading today brings us to the most often quoted passage in Romans. It may be the most important text of all in relation to the teaching of this part of the Gospel called unconditional election. Focus for a moment on the fact that all whom God calls he also justifies; however, this calling is not given to all people. The reason we know it’s not is that all those who are called are also justified. There is an infallible connection between called and justified. This calling is not the general call to repentance that preachers give or that God gives through the glory of nature. Everybody receives that call. This call (v. 30) is given only to those whom God predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son (v. 29). And, it is a call that leads necessarily to justification. Therefore, what this magnificent text teaches is that God really accomplishes the complete redemption of his people from start to finish. He foreknows (that is, elects) a people for himself before the foundation of the world, he predestines this people to be conformed to the image of his Son, he calls them to himself in faith, he justifies them through that faith alone, and he finally glorifies them. And nothing can separate them from the love of God in Christ forever and ever (v. 39). If you are a believer in Christ, you have been loved by God from all eternity. He set his favor on you before the creation of the world. He chose you when he considered you in your helpless condition. He chose you for himself unconditionally. We may not boast in our election. When we had done nothing to commend ourselves to God in any way, he set his favor on us freely. It was with us the way it was with the election of Israel: “It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the LORD set his love on you and chose you . . . but it is because the LORD loves you” (Deuteronomy 7:7-8). Read that carefully. He loves you because he loves you. He chose to do that in eternity. And because his love for you never had a beginning, it can have no end. It takes your breath away! It turns you more toward peace and joy than anything else. I hope you may be taken by this gracious, merciful deeper and deeper into the experience of this amazing sovereign grace!