Theology for Everybody: Romans (Day 196)

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son … And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. —Romans 8:29–30

Who chooses our salvation? There are only three options.

The first option is Satan. Who wants the enemy of God deciding their salvation? The correct answer is no one. Paul writes: “Neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38–39).

Satan and his demons try to separate us from God’s love—that’s their mission. Satan hates God, and because God loves you, Satan hates you. Satan wants you to be like him, forever separated from the love of God. Satan can’t stand the fact that humans have an offer from God for a relationship. Satan and the demons rebelled against God, just as human beings did. But Jesus never came in the image or likeness of a demonic being and died for them.

He doesn’t give them the possibility for salvation. Instead, Jesus says that hell was made for Satan and his angels. They’re all going there. Satan wants us to join him forever, and he would never vote to send anyone to heaven.

The second option is us. Paul quotes the Old Testament: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one” (Romans 3:10–12).

You might think you’re a good person, but you are not. You don’t have a good heart. Scripture says none is righteous. People look for spirituality, miracles, the supernatural, and power, but they don’t look for God. They don’t choose God. They want the gifts but not the Giver. If we are the ones choosing, then we will always choose hell.

The third option is God. Paul writes: “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son…And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified” (Romans 8:29–30).

This passage explains the order of salvation. It begins with eternity past and goes into eternity future. It starts with “foreknew.” Before God created the heavens and the earth in Genesis 1:1, He foreknew He was going to send His Son, Jesus Christ, to seek, save, serve, and love you. God knows everything in totality. He knows the beginning, the end, and everything in between. God exists outside of time, and He is not shocked, because everything is foreknown by Him.

God not only foreknew us, but He also predestined us. God predetermined a destiny for you. Please receive this as encouragement and hope. So often, we look into the future and don’t know what to expect. And even when we think we know what to expect, things change. The good news is that God rules over all of history, including every detail of your life. I wake up every day excited to find out what God has for me. My life is not without meaning, value, or purpose. God has good plans for me, and He has good plans for you too.

How can you demonstrate your thanks to God for His incredible plan for your life?

This is an excerpt from Theology for Everybody: Romans, a 365-Day Devotional, click here to get your copy.

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