The Golden Chain (Romans 8:28-30) Week 48 The Golden Chain (Romans 8:28-30)

The Golden Chain Romans 8;28-30 (NIV) And we know that in all things God works for he good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be the conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined he also called; those he called, he also justified, those he justified, he also glorified.

Foreknew Romans 8;30 (NIV) “For those God foreknew he predestined…” ‘yada’ - ‘Set His heart on’ – A term of intimacy Arminian View – God ‘foreknew’ our actions. Calvinist View – God ‘foreknew the person’

GOD’S RELATIONSHIP WITH US Foreknew cont… God possesses perfect knowledge of all creatures and events. Paul clearly states that those whom He foreknew He predestined Since all men are not predestined, called, and justified, it follows that all men were not foreknown by God in the sense spoken of in verse 29. Foreknew – Set His Heart Upon GOD’S RELATIONSHIP WITH US

Foreknew cont… Amos 3:2 (ESV) Jeremiah 1:5 (ESV) You only have I known of all the families of the earth. Jeremiah 1:5 (ESV) “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecreated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

Predestined Romans 8;29 (NIV) “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be the conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” ‘Predestine’ – to decide or ordain ahead of time what destiny you will have. God first ‘foreknows’ us (places his love on us) and then He ‘predestines’ us (selects us to be a part of the church - the bride of Christ)

Predestined Ephesians 1:4 Romans 8;29 (NIV) Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love. Romans 8;29 (NIV) “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be the conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.”

Called Romans 8:30 (NLT) “And those He predestined, He also called;” Because all the ‘Called’ are justified and glorified this entire passage is focusing on the ‘Elect’ of God. Matthew 22:13-14 – “…for many are called and few are chosen.” Clearly referencing the ‘general call’ of salvation as we spread the gospel. The true Elect will answer and it is those Paul is referring to in Romans 8:30

Justified Romans 8:30 (NLT) “those he called, he also justified;” Justified – Declared right before God Romans 3:23-24 – “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is Christ Jesus;” Romans 4:4-5 4 Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. 5 But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness,

Justified cont… Justification through belief. Romans 4:4-5 4 Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. 5 But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness… Three types of justification: Positional – We ARE justified Progressive – We are BEING justified (Sanctification) Perfective – When we are ultimately justified through our glorification

Justified cont… Murderer & the Judge Undeniably guilty and the punishment is execution Penalty paid by Judge’s son Record entirely expunged Adopted by the Judge – called his son Called to live with him in his house Given the judge’s inheritance Through the miracle of justification and regeneration we are given new hearts which gives us a desire to obey and follow God!

Glorified Romans 8:30 (NLT) “those he justified, he also glorified.” Romans 8:17 - 17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. Used in Rom 8:30 the past tense…why? Paul is emphasizing the certainty of the salvation of those who are foreknown, predestined, called and justified. It’s as if it has already been done!

The Promise of the Golden Chain Ephesians 1:3-14