PREDESTINATED BY GOD 

             "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified" (Romans 8:29, 30). In the most recent devotional based on 1 Peter 1:2, I addressed the phrase "Elect according to the foreknowledge of God". That verse and the ones now being studied are some of the foundational verses used by the Calvinist (Reformed Theology) to teach that only those who are chosen by God before the foundation of the world can be saved. They believe those who were thus chosen were predestined to one day believe on Jesus for salvation. Those who were not chosen will have no chance to be saved so they are predestined to spend eternity in Hell. What a horrible thought that is!

            The words 'foreknow' from Romans 8:29 and 'foreknowledge' from 1 Peter 1:2 are each translated from a form of the same Greek word that simply means 'to know beforehand' without specifying how long beforehand. I am confident that all who believe in God are well aware that His omniscience allows Him to know all things past, present, and future. Therefore, God knew who would be saved before the creation of the world. Nothing has surprised Him! However, I do not believe that is the foreknowledge that is being referred to in these verses. The Lord knew all about every person in His creation, but He knows each person intimately who receives Him as Lord and Savior. God's election and predestination only comes to those who have received Jesus through faith and repentance. Each one who is saved becomes a child of God and the Lord knows him very well! "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name" (John 1:12). The heavenly Father gets to know His new child just as the child gets to know his Father in that wonderful salvation experience!  Jesus also knows everyone He has saved and the relationship that began at salvation! "I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine" (John 10:14). Only those who God knows through the blood of Calvary's cross become His elect and are predestinated by Him! No lost person is predestinated to be saved! Every saved person has not only been received by God as one of His dear children, but an eternal predestination is given to each one! But, what are some of the things predestinated for each believer?

            The Scriptures encourage each believer to turn from his old way of life and put on the likeness of Jesus Christ as he lives here on earth. One of many verses is Romans 13:14, "But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof." However, we often find ourselves looking nothing like our Lord no matter how much we try! But, praise God we will one day be just like Him! Romans 8:29 states that it is predestinated that we will one day be conformed to the image of Jesus. This predestination will be fulfilled at the Rapture. "Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself" (Philippians 3:21). It is also predestined that each believer in Jesus will receive an inheritance in Heaven. "In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will" (Ephesians 1:11). The predestinations God has made for each of His children guarantees the security of each believer in Jesus. Was there anything predestinated before the foundation of the world? Absolutely!

            When God created the angels, no plan was made to redeem any of them should they become guilty of sin. However, when Adam and Eve were created, plans were made for their redemption should they be guilty of sin. The promise was given that deliverance would come through the seed of a woman (Genesis 3:15). In the plan of God, His Son would come to provide redemption for Adam's race. Jesus was predestined to be the Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world. As Peter preached to the Jews on Pentecost, "Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain" (Acts 2:23). Jesus was predestinated to become the Savior of mankind before the foundation of the world! "Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you" (1 Peter 1:20).

            Jesus was predestinated to come as the seed of a woman to save all who would accept Him. It happened just that way! "But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law" (Galatians 4:4,5a). God has predestinated those who have answered His call to salvation, been justified, and spiritually glorified.