For those whom God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son, so that He might be the firstborn among many brethren, according to Romans 8:29.
“For the ones that God knew.” This does not only imply that God was aware of them, for God has known everything about everyone since the beginning of time. It is obvious that a smaller set of persons are the subject of this “foreknew.” Given that it is evident that not everyone accepts Christ as their Savior and is thereby being changed to resemble Him.
Salvation is the gift of God
For some, the word “foreknew” implies that God “knew that they would have faith.” The verse does not, however, state this. Furthermore, the word “foreknew” does not appear to have this meaning in the other instance in the book of Romans. “God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew,” according to Romans 11:2. The term “know” has a sense more akin to “favored” or “chosen,” as is frequently the case in the Bible. This is a crucial observation. Since God would “choose” people if He knew they would have faith, so we must also strive for our salvation in addition to God.
The Bible is clear that only God deserves praise for saving us, saying that we are saved by grace through faith. In order to prevent anyone from taking credit for it, this is a gift from God rather than the product of your labor (Ephesians 2:8–9). (The idea that God selects individuals based on his perception of human nature is first illogical. That would mean “accepting” them rather than “choosing” them, as they would have chosen God instead of God choosing them.
Make His children more like Jesus
The phrase “He also predestined” refers to God’s appointment of individuals to become Christians. Romans 8:29–30 presents us with a powerful chain of four interconnected promises:
- God ordained the conversion of everyone He chose, favored, or foresaw.He called everyone to faith who He had predetermined (verse 30). Similar to how Jesus called Lazarus from the tomb, this call is not merely an invitation but rather an authoritative summons from death to life. The following sentence, “those whom He called, He also justified,” demonstrates this. Therefore, everyone who is summoned by God in this way is pardoned for their sins.”He glorified those whom He justified.” Paul is referring in the past tense about the glory we shall receive when Jesus returns, just like the Old Testament prophets did, since it is a promise from God that will undoubtedly come to pass.
When combined, these four promises show God’s purpose from the time before the world was formed to the time of the new heavens and new earth. It is confident that His chosen ones will be saved. God has promised to ensure every step along the path.
The glorious future of God’s children
They are going to “become more and more like His Son.” They [sinners and those harmed by the consequences of sin] will no longer be the same because God will change them. And when people surrender to God and obey the Holy Spirit, He will use the power of the Holy Spirit to heal them, transform their thoughts and hearts, as well as their deeds and emotions, and gradually mold them into the likeness of His son Jesus Christ. They will discover more and more that their wants coincide with God’s desires. They will turn away from what God turns their backs on.
Finally, Jesus will “be the firstborn among many brothers,” according to verse 29. We are adopted as children of God. As the eldest son of God, Jesus becomes our brother, and we are His siblings. Our goal is to resemble Him. We ought to be prepared to suffer, just as Jesus was. We ought to obey the Father in the same way that Jesus did. And we’ll resemble Him. Jesus was exalted, and so shall we be. That is the magnificent destiny that awaits every child of God!
