THE DETERMINED OBJECTIVE OF SALVATION "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose . . ." -- Tomorrow:
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 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. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us." (Romans 8:28-34, NKJV)
CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE, #2
The Spirit is now making a critical distinction. It is quite true that "whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Rom 10:13). From one perspective, God does save men because they call upon His name, or cry out to receive what is promised in the Gospel of Christ. Our text, however, goes deeper into our salvation – to its foundations rather than the means through which it is experienced. In it, the Spirit is dealing with foundational matters. He does not want our faith to rest in the fact that we called upon the name of the Lord. Rather, it must rest on the fact that God called us according to an "eternal purpose."
Our identity with God is NOT in order to the fulfillment of our purposes. Rather, it is that His "eternal purpose" might be fulfilled (Eph 3:11). Further, this is a purpose God has "purposed in Himself." This is clearly stated in Scripture. "Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which HE HATH PURPOSED IN HIMSELF" (Eph 1:9). The NIV reads, "which He purposed in Christ." This accords with Ephesians 3:11: "According to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord." Again it is written, "Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but ACCORDING TO HIS OWN PURPOSE and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began" (2 Tim 1:9). This objective will be expounded in the next two verses with a most unusual power.
The point being made is simply this: for everyone who has been effectively called into the execution of God's eternal purpose, God is working everything together for their ultimate good. Their path is being Divinely orchestrated so as to conclude in their good, and God's glory. The ultimate objective to be realized is "good." It is our business to take hold of this by faith.
DIVINE DETERMINATION REVEALED
"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" (Rom 8:29). Here we confront one of the most controversial verses in all of Scripture. However, we must not allow ourselves to approach it as though it was, in fact, controversial. Rather, it is to be seen as a Divine expression that will sustain faith and bring confidence to our hearts. As for myself, I will approach this verse as a precise and inspired statement of reality. Its meaning will not hinge upon word definitions, but on Apostolic doctrine. Its purpose is to confirm to our hearts what God's intention is, and to persuade us He is fully able to accomplish it in us.
DIVINE FOREKNOWLEDGE
"For whom He foreknew . . . " Nearly all versions, both older and contemporary, use the word "foreknew" or "did foreknow." Some freer translations read, "those of whom he had knowledge before" (BBE), "God knew his people in advance" (NLT), and "He decided beforehand who were the ones" (NJB). I give these translations to confirm this is a very weighty expression.
The word "foreknow" emphasizes Divine choice, not mere foresight or prescience. If it is true that all things are "of Him, and through Him, and to Him" (Rom 11:36), He is certainly not duly honored by saying He merely sees what is going to happen in the future. The teaching of the passage will confirm this. It is also supported by the meaning of the word itself – "foreknow." One of the primary meanings of the word used here, which meaning lexicographers apply to this text, is "select in advance, choose, or appoint before hand" (BarclayNewman). Doctrinally, when it comes to what is done, God's foreknowledge applies to what HE does. "Known to God from eternity are all HIS works" (Acts 15:18). This even applies to the birth and positioning of men. "From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live" (Acts 17:26, NIV).
It should be clear to us that God did not conceive of an eternal purpose in view of what man would do. Such a notion is self contradictory. How can an "eternal purpose" be founded upon what takes place in time? Those whom God "Foreknew" are those upon whom His favor rested, even before the foundation of the world. These are the individuals toward whom He was inclined. In our consideration of this facet of the Divine character, care must be taken to allow the Scriptures to form our concepts, and not theological positions developed by men.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for being the One who determines. It is apparent that men have not done well in this area.