Romans 8:28-30 (Part 1)

^{Romans 8:28-30:} 
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

There is so much depth in these verses and I won't be able to bring it all out, but I hope this is encouraging! I only have limited time, so there may be a number of parts to this.

To begin: "We". Christians. Those who are adopted as his children (Romans 8:14-17), who are co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17), who have the Holy Spirit in us. We who were sinners, who were stuck in our sin, who are no better then those who still are. Who don't seek God, who aren't good (Psalm 14:1-3, Ecclesiastes 7:20), who rebel against him actively by sinning - and we have all sinned (Romans 3:23, 6:23). We who deserve God's wrath, his eternal punishment, hell. We who murdered his son - or at least who are no better then those who did, who mocked and despised him by sinning, who still sin, who are weak and frail. Yet back to the start - we who are saved, though we were 'powerless' and 'ungodly' 'sinners' (Romans 5:6,8)! Forgiven! Freed from slavery to sin and death and united with Christ (Romans 6). Who are righteous in Christ, saved 100% in him, who have the promise of heaven eternally, who are God's children and who have the Holy Spirit in us. What an awesome God! What an awesome saviour! Jesus came tho earth as a man, though he was God. He gave up his glory (Philippians 2), and willingly came and died for us - who hated and mocked him. He suffered in our place, he faced God's wrath and took our sin if we are his people. Why? To save us, so that we can be forgiven, restored to a perfect relationship with God through him alone and so that we can live eternally with him. So we can be adopted as God's children and share in his inheritance. So God will be glorified. What an awesome saviour and God! First point of application/challenge: Are you a christian? Is this you? Do you belong to God's people? Are the promises in these verses, and the whole bible of God's blessing yours? Or are you still under his wrath, stuck in your sins, a slave to them and needing salvation? Are you a christian? Jesus is the only way! Repent an believe - Turn away from sin and be genuinely sorry for it and put your trust entirely in Jesus, not in yourself or anything else.

To be Continued... (We got through one word, thats pretty good!)

Soli Deo Gloria! 
Nat.