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In Christ, Mark
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The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.
“For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.”
Romans 8:29-30
This ends today’s reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.
What is it to be predestined?
Well, it’s simply being selected ahead of something, hand-picked for a certain opportunity.
Need an example?
Go back to the Bible, particularly in the Old Testament after God gave the Israelites what they wanted, kings to rule over them. As the kings went into power, they married and had children. If they were the firstborn male, then they were in line to ascend to the throne at the time of their father’s death. In other words, the king’s son was predestined to reign one day as soon as they were born. This is just one example of predestination in the scriptures but it’s all we really need to address Paul’s words in verses 29 and 30 of Romans 8, two verses that seem to breed a lot of confusion in the church but I think it’s because people make the concept too hard. Look at Paul’s words again here and then allow me to give a simple explanation for the message being conveyed.
“For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.” Romans 8:29-30
Here we find the scriptures telling us that God foreknows and destines people to be “conformed to the image of His Son”. Just as all are born into sin and therefore fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), all have also been predestined to find victory over sin and judgment through the salvation God offers in Jesus. In other words, God predetermines that everyone will have an opportunity to be saved. Out of His deep love and mercy, He calls for His people to accept His offer of eternal life by believing in His Son who has already paid the price for the sins they have committed.
But here’s the thing. Not everyone accepts God’s destiny for them.
It’s been true ever since Jesus came to this earth, the Messiah promised by the words of the prophets who brought a new covenant between God and His people. God proposed a way for everyone to have a chance to be pardoned from sin and live with Him forever.
Unfortunately, countless millions of people have rejected that offer. They willingly chose to decline the destiny God predetermined for them. They rebuffed their heavenly Father’s proposition of salvation and the justification it would bring through the sin-cleansing blood of Jesus, the sacrificed Lamb of God who died to provide atonement for any sinner who would believe in Him as Savior. And in turning away from the destiny God offered, they chose to exchange glory for damnation.
Perhaps there is no sadder story I could tell about people today, that although God predestined them for everlasting life, His people chose His judgment instead. They passed up Heaven for Hell.
Friends, I don’t know where you stand today but if you have not accepted God’s offer of salvation, I would change that right now. Please don’t pass on the greatest opportunity of this lifetime, an opportunity that God wants you to realize, the opportunity of eternal life through Jesus that He predestined you for.
Amen.
In Christ,
Mark
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