We are Justified and Glorified

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Scripture: Romans 8:28-30 (ESV)

28 And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For 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. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Devotion:

            The passage we consider today is familiar to many Bible-reading Christians. We take it as a beautiful promise that God has given His people. And so, it is. However, it is deeper and more meaningful than we even suspect when giving it the glance that we give familiar Bible passages. I propose that this tiny passage stuck away in a far corner of an obscure letter in the Bible may be a radical proclamation of the freedom we inherit when we begin our faith journey.

            First, we must overcome the common objections to seeing this text as good news. The most strenuous objections come from people who observe life as it happens to us, the good, the bad, and the ugly, and say it does not look to me like all things are working together for the good in our lives. The bills stack up, the relationships break up, and the car blows an engine. All these things are a routine part of life. How can you Christians say that all things work together for good?

            Is that what God, through Paul, is saying here? If it is, I am afraid Christians might have built themselves a castle in the sand at low tide, only to be rudely awakened at high tide when their castle has disappeared beneath the waves of time. I do not believe God intended this promise to apply to finding the perfect parking spot in a crowded shopping mall. God does not work like a cosmic vending machine—prayers in—positive results out. It is not that God does not care about the details of our lives; it is just that he is more interested in seeing that we are faithful to Him in matters of faith, hope, and love.

            Studying the passage, one immediately notices that this promise is only for some. You must love God and be called according to His purpose. As New Testament Scholar N. T. Wright translates this verse, “God is working all things for good with and through those who love Him, who are called according to his purpose.” Who are those called according to His purpose, you might ask?

            The answer is explained in the following verses. Paul uses words that are strange to our ears, like foreknew, predestined, conformed, etc. Paul is putting before us that we contribute nothing to our salvation. God’s saving act on the cross and the empty tomb 2,000 years ago was the end of our sin-soaked lives. God seals every person who sees and responds to Jesus with the Holy Spirit. In God’s extraordinary providence, he knows who will respond to him. So as not to interfere with our free will, he ultimately leaves the choice up to us.

Prayer:

            Lord, move this promise deep into our hearts. You justified us by Jesus’ saving acts; you will glorify us in your good timing. All we need do is be soaked in your saving love, and you will do the rest. Forgive us for trying to earn your favor; we already have it. Our lives are in your loving hands, working all things out for good. Glorify yourself in us so that we may glorify you in the world. Amen.

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