GOD DID PREDESTINATE EACH ONE HE FOREKNEW

© 2020 by Tom Boynton (editing by Kathy Boynton)

“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 … justified … and … glorified.” (Romans 8:29-30)

In a previous article, we observed that God’s foreknowledge is actually His sovereign choice of relationship with those “foreknown.”  It’s the first element in an unbreakable chain which leads to eternal glory for God’s elect.

Here, we learn that all whom God foreknew “He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son.”  Having chosen an eternal loving relationship with them, God authoritatively establishes their irrevocable path to this eternal glorious destiny.  This path relies on nothing less than the sacrificial death, burial, and resurrection of God the Son Jesus Christ.  God leaves nothing to chance in His perfect plan.  It shall all be perfectly accomplished according to this unbreakable chain which includes foreknowledge, predestination, calling, justification, and glorification.

Notice:  Every person God foreknew, is guaranteed victorious passage through each of this chain’s remaining links.  All whom God “did foreknow He also did predestinate… .” There are no exceptions!  Any person not predestinated was also never known by God in this relational manner.  In fact, listen to what Jesus will say to the reprobate on judgment day.

“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew [ginosko] you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matthew 7:22-23)

Some try to argue that God’s foreknowledge [proginosko] isn’t a relational choice, but only a reference to His omniscience.  This, however, denies Jesus’ deity.  If Christ’s claim, “I never knew you,” means He never knew something about them, then He’s not omniscient.  This would mean He’s not God.  This, of course, would be blasphemy!

God’s predestination, guaranteed by His foreknowing choice, leads to His imperative calling of the elect.  As the Lord permits, we shall discuss His imperative calling in a subsequent article.

For now, notice that all whom God predestinates, were foreknown [proginosko] and shall be called.  All who reject Christ are answerable to Him.  Might not this article be part of His eternal plan to call you?

 

See God’s Unbreakable Chain of Election for other articles on this subject

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