Thoughts on the Epistle to the Romans (144) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

For whom, he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he predestined, these he also called; whom he called these he also justified; and whom he justified, these he also glorified.
Romans 8:29.30

Thoughts on the Epistle to the Romans (144)
God's eternal purpose with His children can never be called into question through the circumstances of their life. The description above begins with God's omniscience. He knows not only the course of world history beforehand, but He "foreknew" certain persons. As part of God's eternal counsel His foreknowledge is clearly greater than mere passive knowing (cf. Acts 2:23; 1 Peter 1:20).

The persons whom God foreknew He has predestined to "be like" His Son, the glorified Man in heaven eventually (cf. 1 John 3:2), although Christ, the firstborn, will naturally always have pre-eminence.

God's foreknowledge and pre-destination go back to eternity past. His effective calling and justification, when someone believes in Christ and His redeeming work, occur in our time.

The final point is still future. Believers are not yet glorified. However, as with the four other points, the past tense is used here: "these he also glorified". In these verses everything is recorded from God's purpose and point of view. The glorification of His children is an incontrovertible fact. What security does that afford the Christian in all the circumstances of his life!

(to be continued next Sunday)

Today's reading: Leviticus 10:1-20 · Psalm 56:1-7