IF GOD BE FOR US

Romans 8:29-31 For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 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. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Predestination is the predetermination of destiny; destiny decreed beforehand; destiny foreordained. Although the word can be simply described, its application is difficult for many. The question that is generally raised is, did God predestinate certain individuals to be given eternal salvation, or did God predestinate the method by which individuals have access to eternal salvation? Today, one of these two views is found in many different religious groups. In the former supposition, God extends his grace to those He elects to save; a grace that cannot be resisted by the individual. Under this concept, God chooses the individual that he desires to be saved, thus, eliminating human choice. Under the other application, the individual has a free will to choose salvation by the method God has foreordained. In other words, God's plan of salvation is offered to all mankind. It is the responsibility of each man and women either accept or reject it.

Those predestined by God to enjoy the hope of eternal salvation, are those whom He foreknew. Of this, we are told from the first sentence of the lesson text. The question is, then, whom did He foreknow? We need look no further than the preceding verse 28, which reads (KJV), And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. Another rendering is from the ASV, which reads, And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, (even) to them that are called according to (His) purpose. The latter translation seems to be more understandable, however, both identify them as,whom God did foreknow, andare the same as them that love God. The apostle, James, confirmed this when he wrote that God had promised them that love Him tobe heirs of the kingdom (of heaven). God knew before the world began those that would have a hope of salvation. It would be those that love Him. However, God did not predestine specific individuals that would love Him. Love for God is optional. Each man and each woman determines whether or not they desire to, and will love God. God predetermined the character of the person to which salvation is available, but not the specific individual.

Those that love God will obey His will, that is, they will be conformed to the image of His Son (Jesus Christ) - they will strive to conduct their lives as righteously as possible, in the mirror image of the Son of God. Avoiding the lusts of the flesh, they will walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. To do so, they will put on the Lord Jesus Christ (His character of life), (See Rom 13:13-14). To all that love Him, and love Him enough to conduct their lives as close as possible to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ, they are considered to be those whom God called according to His purpose.

The apostle, Peter, tells us that God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Pet. 3:9b). In other words, God calls all mankind to live a life of obedience that will lead to eternal salvation. God's word was preached throughout the world. Paul says that those of Thessalonica were called by the gospel message of God. And, from the beginning of time, those in this city that loved the Lord, obeyed His will by accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior, and were baptized into His body, were promised salvation (See 2 Thess. 2:13-14). The promise was made to those that love the Lord. Only those that demonstrated this love, through their devoted obedience, will enjoy this promise of God.

Those that obey God's call, He justifies; those He justifies, He glorifies. Again, all are called by God's holy word. Only those that accept the call, under His New Testament guidelines, will be justified by having their sins blotted out. Only those that are reconciled to God by justification, through the sacrificial blood of His Son, Jesus Christ, will be glorified, that is, will be made heirs of God's promise, and joint-heirs with Christ, of eternal glory in heaven. From the beginning, all were predestined to eternal life in heaven that accomplished these three steps: heard and obeyed God's calling, were justified by baptism into the body of Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and were glorified with the inheritance of a heavenly home. God wants all to be saved. He is for us. And if God be for us, who can be against us? The answer is, only ourselves!