Romans 8:28-30
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. 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 within a large family. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.
Predestination is probably one of the harder concepts in the Reformed faith to tackle. In our current culture we don’t want our lives to somehow be determined for us, but rather we want our choices. The problem is that if we are left with our own devices our choices will not measure up to God’s law and expectation for our lives. One might then wonder if God is vindictive, or somehow against us. This is hardly the case, rather, what does Scripture say: “For if He is for us, who can be against us?” Rather, what if our destiny was to death and decay, but when God adopts us, calls us, and sets us free we are then predestined to a new path.
The reality is: life is hard. On our own our lives will be overwhelming, discouraging, and at times down right depressing. God, though, in His great kindness, thought it right and good to send His Son to offer a way through this hard life. God sees us, He calls us, He then desires us to live into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. To do so is to pick up your cross – the hard things you might face in this life – and walk with Jesus as he will carry you. In Christ – even though life a hard – there is a new plan for your life – a plan for your good. Even in the hard times, may we be reassured that God is for us and not against us. How do we know that? Through the image of His Son, Christ Jesus, who died for you.
