Our Highest Good is His Glory! -(Romans 8:30)

He Called. He Justifies. He Glorified!

Salvation is an amazing thing and we don’t give God the credit He deserves!

Too often we touch His glory, and take His glory when we need to declare His greatness, mercy, and glory. Paul does this In Romans 8:29-30 with a high and true view of the greatness and sovereignty of God in His mercy towards helpless, sinners, enemies, ungodly!-{Read Romans 5:6,8.10}

“The disciples asked Jesus, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For human beings this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.”-{Matthew 9:25-26.} Note Jesus who is God said “with human beings this is” what? “Impossible!”… “But ” who? “GOD”... ” For God all things are possible!” Salvation is impossible apart from…GOD!

In Heaven, The redeemed don’t sing a song ABOUT THEMSELVES but to And about THE LORD JESUS CHRIST! “And they sang a new song, saying: “YOU are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because YOU were slain, and with YOUR blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. YOU have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”-{Revelation 5:9-10}

“And those HE predestined, HE also called; those HE called, HE also justified; those He justified, HE also glorified.”-(Romans 8:30)

The passage points to the free, Sovereign Activity of God in salvation from beginning to end and Paul exults in Him and shows the readers that indeed “God is working all things together for good to those who love God and are the called according to His purpose,”-{v28}…and that their ultimate and highest good beyond their suffering of which he refers to in Romans 8:18 is conforming us to the image of Christ -{v29} and eternity with God and the Glory pointing to and belonging to God for His undertaking of their full salvation which can be traced back before the foundation of the world. “…just as [in His love] He chose us in Christ [actually selected us for Himself as His own] before the foundation of the world, so that we would be holy [that is, consecrated, set apart for Him, purpose-driven] and blameless in His sight. In love  He predestined and lovingly planned for us to be adopted to Himself as [His own] children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the kind intention and good pleasure of His will—”-{Ephesians 1:4-5 Amplified Bible}

It was His choice to freely, graciously, mercifully Sovereignly undertake for them in saving, rescuing them from spiritual danger from…

  • The Penalty of Sin,… “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin in our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”-{2 Cor 5:21}
  • The Authority of satan -“For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”-{Colossians 1:13-14}
  • And the Wrath of God-“The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness”- {Romans 1:18} ” Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.And not only this, but we also celebrate in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.”-{Romans 5:9-11}

All and only through the perfect sacrifice of the LORD Jesus Christ-{Read 2 Cor 5:21}, GOD declaring them righteous,-{Read Romans 5:1} in right standing with God, forgiving them, adopting them into the family of God fully clothed in the righteousness of Christ. Accepted in the Beloved. And their ultimate good of being conformed to the image of Christ -{Romans 8:29} and being with Him and His glorifying them with conforming them to the image of Christ, adoption, with new bodies eternally equipped to stand in His presence, and the certainty of this! -{Read Romans 8:23-24; 29-30; 5:2}

And He points to several words to underline that in Romans 8:30. “Called.” He did that! “Justified.” He did that. “Glorified.” He did that!

  • There are FIVE Verbs in verses 29-30 “Foreknew… Predestined… Called… Justified… Glorified” is all in the PAST TENSE. It is a done deal! God has done this! From God’s perspective, the believer’s salvation is a done deal. He has planned, secured, and preserves it and this is part of the “Good” God wants them to know He has worked out for them… and you!

So, we look by faith to Him, rest in Him, delight, and declare Him for so great and secure salvation! Such is the believers assurance, based on God! THESE TRUTHS OF ROMANS 8:28-30 ARE FOR THE FAMILY OF GOD! Our Truth to Dispel the doubts and darkness and the temptation to such in times of difficulties, suffering {Romans 8:18} to CONSIDER GOD! To strengthen our faith and focus on who God is, what He has done, and the bright and assured Future we have coming to look forward to. For we have Someone to look forward to being with for eternity, because of what GOD Has done! Rejoice in Him!

And so Roman’s 8 is a chapter on the assurance of the follower of Christ’s eternal security based on… GOD! Who God is and What God has done, will do!

“And those HE predestined, HE also called; those HE called, HE also justified; those He justified, HE also glorified.”-(Romans 8:30)

He is the Author and Perfector of our faith! Consider Him. His Person and Work, and Celebrate HIM!

CALLED BY GOD.

The word “CALLED” is used in various ways in Scripture. Sometimes as a means to call someone by name, or a new name. But when used here in Romans 8:30 it speaks of His Sovereign call of God, freely, independently given to achieve His designated purpose. -{Read Isaiah 41:9;42:6; 43:7 45:4}. It cannot be thwarted, in any way by anyone! Therefore the hope to the recipients of Paul’s letter is that not even the suffering they experience {Romans 8:18} or whatever they experience… of heartache and suffering in this life can hinder God from accomplishing His purpose of working all things out for “good,” that which is beneficial, useful and that which is the ultimate “good?” – {Read Rom 8:31-39 and consider what cannot separate us from His love}.

  • “Image (1504) (eikon) properly, “mirror-like representation,” i.e. what is very close in resemblance (like a “high-definition” projection, as defined by the context). Eikon is an artistic representation, as one might see on a coin or statue (an image or a likeness, as in Mt 22.20). Eikon can also refer to a visible manifestation of an invisible and heavenly reality form (see Hebrews 10:1-note) As used here in Colossians eikon speaks of an embodiment or living manifestation of God.

Eikon exactly reflects its source (what it directly corresponds to) and so here Paul says Christ is the very image (eikon, “supreme expression”) of the Godhead (cp 2Cor 4:4).

TDNTA – (Eikon) “does not imply a weakening or a feeble copy of something. It implies the illumination of its inner core and essene.

“Constable – The concept of “image” involves three things: likeness (Christ is the exact likeness of God, a mirror image [cf. Heb. 1:3]), representation (Christ represents God to us), and manifestation (Christ makes God known to us [cf. John 1:18]). While God made man in the image of God (Gen. 1:27), Christ is the image of God (cf. John 1:18; 14:8–9; 2 Cor. 4:4). (Colossians 1 – Expository Notes)”-{preceptaustin commentaries}

“Look at the word there “conformed to the image.”  This is interesting.  Image is eikn, get the word icon from it which is… You know what an icon is?  It’s a statue, isn’t it?  It’s a replica.  And the word eikn is used in four other verses with a similar reference to Jesus Christ, 2 Corinthians 3:18, 2 Corinthians 4:4, Colossians 1:15 and Colossians 3:10, and it refers to a purposefully derived likeness, not an accidental one.  When you go about to produce an icon, to produce a replica of somebody else, it’s not accidental.  A statue is a replicate and that’s exactly what the word conveys.  We’re going to be in the image of Jesus Christ in that somehow God is going to shape us into a replica of Jesus Christ.  We will not be Jesus Christ, as a son is not his father, but we will bear the image of Jesus Christ as in some ways a son is a replica of his father.

When God made man He made him in His image and in His likeness, Genesis 1:26.  But that original image, imageo Deo as it’s often called, was defaced and marred by sin so that that original body had to be discarded in the grave.  But there is coming a time in eternal glory when the intention of God that man would be made in His own image will again be restored.  He became one of us, that we might become conformed to Him.”-{John Mac Arthur}

The follower of Christ is presently being conformed to the image of Christ as the Spirit of God produces the fruit of the Spirit in us more and more -{Read Galatians 5:22-24}, morally, spiritually, and physically… this is part of the “Good,”

But the ULTIMATE “GOOD” is when we depart this world to be with Him when He calls us Home… Consider…

  • “Beloved, we are [even here and] now children of God, and it is not yet made clear what we will be [after His coming]. We know that when He comes and is revealed, we will [as His children] be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is [in all His glory].”-{1 John 3:2 Amplified Bible}
  • In 1 Corinthians 15:42-45 Paul speaks of a Resurrected Body that we, the followers of Christ will receive. It will be An Imperishable Body- {v 42}; A Glorious Body- {v43}; A Powerful Body -{v43}; A Spiritual Body -{v44}.
  • “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will TRANSFORM the body of our lowly condition INTO CONFORMITY WITH HIS GLORIOUS BODY, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.”{Philippians 3:20-21}. This awaits us and we look forward to eternity with God, to worship, and adore Him who called us. Justified us. Glorified us!
  • “For those whom He foreknew [and loved and chose beforehand], He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son [and ultimately share in His complete sanctification], so that He would be the firstborn [the most beloved and honored] among many believers”-{Romans 8:29 Amplified Bible}.

The ultimate “good,” for the child of God is the promise that they will be Conformed to the image of Christ, adopted into the family of God, spend eternity with God, with Him to worship, and adore Him who called us. Justified us. Glorified us!

JUSTIFIED BY GOD.

God declaring someone Righteous! It is An Act of God. It is done and cannot be undone! No one can make themself right before God for our sin inhibits not only the desire but the ability. God can declare us righteous based on the perfect sinless life and substitutionary sacrifice of the LORD Jesus to satisfy the Law’s demand and God’s perfect standard.

So, on the cross. He treated Jesus as though He had lived your life, my life, and now “In Christ” He sees Jesus and  TREATS  you and me as though we lived His Righteous life!

“He made Him who knew no sin to be sin in our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”-{2 Corinthians 5:21}

Justification is an act of God! It is a one-time act. It is not a process like sanctification, where God by His Spirit works In us to change us to conform to the image of Christ.

JUSTIFICATION. Declared right by God based on His Son! ” Therefore having been justified by faith…we have PEACE WITH God… THROUGH our LORD Jesus Christ.”-{Romans 5:1}. Note “peace WITH God.” not the peace OF God “-{Philippians 4:6}. “Peace WITH God” is the declaration the war is over! God no longer sees you as His enemy-{Read Romans 5:10}. But now sees and treats you as His beloved child! How? God JUSTIFIED you, based on His choice and the work of His Son, our LORD Jesus Christ! Glory to God for such mercy, grace, love, and forgiveness! “For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, GOD DID: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us…”-{Romans 8:3-4}

GLORIFIED BY GOD.

God glorifies us! What an amazing Truth. We know we are to glorify God. But that God glorifies us is an amazing truth!

We are “Glorified” as we are conformed to the image of Christ as mentioned in Romans 8:29. And also to be fitted with new bodies for Heaven. Our full salvation and redemption are realized where there will be no more sin, sickness, or sorrow, but free from it all and equipped in new heavenly bodies to dwell with God forever in His presence!

“Of course, we are called to glorify God in everything we think and say and do. But the Bible also says that God will glorify us, his children. So, what in the world does that mean? It’s a question that comes into us from a listener named Nicholas.

“Pastor John, I am very grateful for your love for the Lord and your ministry. In John 5:44, Jesus challenges the Pharisees in where they seek their glory: ‘How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?’ It seems that Jesus is indirectly telling us to seek glory from God. How do we balance this with desiring to glorify him? What is the difference (and the link) between me glorifying God and God glorifying me?”

The difference between glorifying God and seeking glory from God is the difference between our making God look like what he really is and God making us into what we are definitely not; namely, beautiful and glorious in his image. We are created to glorify God, that is, by treasuring him and valuing him above all else to show him to be infinitely valuable above all else in our lives and in the world. But we are also created to be glorious or to be glorified, since we are not yet glorious — glorified not in the sense of being shown to be supremely valuable like God, but in the sense of being conformed to the image of Christ.

“There is no conflict in pursuing the glory of Christ and pursuing being glorified by Christ.”

The key passage is Romans 8:29–30, “Those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.” And glorified refers back to that conforming “to the image of his Son.” God does not intend for his Son to have an ugly bride.

Jonathan Edwards makes a very big deal out of the point of the universe being the creation and preparation of a bride for his Son. Ephesians 5:27 says, “ . . . so that he might present the church to Himself in splendor” — present the church. Christ died for the church “so that he might present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.”

Now, the way this fits together with our glorifying Christ is, first, that we are his workmanship. We don’t make ourselves beautiful. We aren’t intrinsically beautiful. We are intrinsically abhorrent in our rebellion against God. He makes us beautiful and, therefore, our beauty reflects his primary power and grace and beauty as the Creator of our beauty.

The second way our glorification relates to the glory of Christ is that his glory is the template from which our glory is designed, shaped, and brought about. Therefore, if anyone looks upon us and thinks we are glorious, it will be because they have already looked at Christ, found him to be glorious, and then looked at us and said, “Oh, you are like that. And I love that.” So, there is no conflict in pursuing the glory of Christ and pursuing being glorified by Christ, which means that we shouldn’t be shocked to read Romans 2:6  “

-{John Piper}

1.- Our Glorification by God involves our being  CONFORMED TO THE IMAGE OF CHRIST.

“For those whom He foreknew [and loved and chose beforehand], He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son [and ultimately share in His complete sanctification], so that He would be the firstborn [the most beloved and honored] among many believers.”-{Romans 8:29- Amplified Bible}

2. – Our Glorification by God involves our ADOPTION and NEW BODIES!

“And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as His adopted children, including the new bodies He has promised us. We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don’t need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.)…”{Romans 8:23-24 nlt }.

In 1 Corinthians 15:42-45 Paul speaks of a Resurrected Body that we, the followers of Christ will receive. It will be  An Imperishable Body- {v 42};  A Glorious Body- {v43}; A Powerful Body -{v43}; A Spiritual Body -{v44}.

“The word ‘Glory’ {Doxa} means, dignity, splendor, honor, excellence, perfection; and is used here as denoting the combination of all those things which shall rescue it from ignominy and disgrace,”-{Barnes}.

These present bodies are “SOWN” which speaks of burial! We put away dead bodies into the ground, we put them out of the way! The passage puts it this way, “SOWN in a Perishable body…sown in Weakness.. Sown in a Natural body… Sown in Dishonor.” These bodies are subject to sickness, weakness, and death! We put them away when they die as they decay, decompose, stink, and are lifeless but putrefaction quickly enters in, and no matter how well a mortician makes the corpse looks well, trying to “beautify” it and make it “presentable,” but it does not change the fact the body is dead! There is nothing honorable about death!  “BUT CHRIST…” Death and the grave is not the end for the follower of the LORD JESUS CHRIST, “BUT… CHRIST has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died.”-{1 Corinthians 15:20}. He will TRANSFORM our Bodies! “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our lowly condition into conformity with His glorious body, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.” – {Philippians 3:20-21}

Our highest good is Him being…Glorified- And this He is in our salvation. Conforming us to the image of Christ, and will be when He brings us home. His people. Called by Him. Justified by Him. Glorified by Him! Glory to God for so great a salvation!

3.- Our Glorification is CERTAIN;

“Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.“-{Romans 5:2 nlt}

4.- Our Future Glorification is God’s Promise of REWARD for the Righteous;

“He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers.”-{Romans 2:7}. These are believers who have trusted the LORD Jesus for salvation by the grace of God through repentant faith toward God and our LORD Jesus Christ.

Our future is Bright… our future is with God Himself, who has CALLED us, JUSTIFIED us, and GLORIFIED us. This He has done and we will see the full outworking of it when we see Him face to face- {I John 3:1-2}

To God be the Glory

Our future is Bright… our future is with God Himself, who has CALLED us, JUSTIFIED us, and GLORIFIED us. This He has done and we will see the full outworking of it when we see Him face to face- {I John 3:1-2}.

WHAT GOD HAS DONE CANNOT BE UNDONE!

To God be the Glory!

God bless

Aidan,