Predestined to Victory

Today we are going to look a passage of scripture that’s meaning is hotly debated. We are going to answer the question does this passage of scripture teach that some are chosen for salvation and others skipped over.

Now if you have been raised in church, you probably have seen, heard, or even been part of debating this hot-button issue of Calvin's vs. Arminius view of Romans. Calvin is on the side that God has predestined some to salvation and others are passed over.

Modern day proponents of this view would have been the late John Macarthur and John Piper.

Arminius would be on the side that Salvation is offered to all and is left to the individual to decide, the total free will of man.

While I lean toward a more Arminian view of scripture, I would like to suggest to you this morning that this passage teaches neither of these views and that this debate often obscures the meaning of the passage.

So then lets get the he passage this morning,

Like most of Romans we must first back up a few verses to give us context.

So we we will begin partly in last weeks text. Now remember with me the context of these next few verses are suffering with Christ.

Romans 8:26–28 CSB

26 In the same way the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

So before we move forward we must ask the question if all things work together for good of those who love God, then what is good?

What is this goodness that will be given to us if we love God. well the passage tells us beginning in verse 29:

Romans 8:29–39 CSB

29 For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified. 31 What, then, are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He did not even spare his own Son but gave him up for us all. How will he not also with him grant us everything? 33 Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies. 34 Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the one who died, but even more, has been raised; he also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us. 35 Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: Because of you we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered. 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

So then what “good” is given to us?

I. We will be conformed to His image vs. 29-30

Now this is where if we are not careful we will get derailed into a subject matter that this passage is not meant to convey. The debate. This of course all hinges on the word “foreknew”.

In some circles there is a whole doctrine built on this one word. Not only does this break the rule of exegesis and homiletics it can be incredibly dangerous.

So let’s look at this word together “foreknew”. When I explain it, you will be like wow this makes perfect sense.

To foreknow something is to know something beforehand. Notice that this word is associated with knowing what? Knowing people. Those he foreknew. Now here is where the the word “know” gives us so much clarity. Look at the words of Jesus in

Matthew 7:21–23 CSB

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, drive out demons in your name, and do many miracles in your name?’ 23 Then I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you lawbreakers!’

Who does Jesus know?

Only those who have been saved.

He says, I do not know those who have not been born again.

(of course this is not saying he doesn’t recognize the existence of other people or that he is unaware of them. This is knowing in the relational sense). The Holy spirit inhabits every believer so therefore he knows them.

So now our understanding of this word comes into view.

Paul is talking about believers of the past (Those he foreknew or knew before) not believers of the future. He is using the believers of the past as an example of God’s faithful call and work.

We know this because almost immediately Paul refers to the past experience of believers by quoting Psalm 44:22

Psalm 44:22 CSB

22 Because of you we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered.

So in other words Paul is referring back to the example of those who have faced suffering in the past to give the hope of victory to those in the future.

This is a Hebrews 12:1 moment

Hebrews is 11 is the hall of heroes. Those who through suffering God used for his Glory and are now being rewarded by Christ. Those who completed their calling and have passed on.

Hebrews 12:1 CSB

1 Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us,

So Paul is not pointing to a salvation that is predetermined but rather to a purpose that is given to all those who are in Christ.

IF this passage is teaching a predetermined view of salvation meaning that God chooses whom would be saved, then you would have to contend with making sense of many other passages.

John 12:32 CSB

32 As for me, if I am lifted up from the earth I will draw all people to myself.”

We see Jesus universal call to salvation to all people everywhere proven by his resurrection. This is a simple if- then statement. If I am resurrected, then I will draw all people to myself.

One rule in scripture interpretation is that we must interpret the less clear passages by those that are certain In other words, if our interpretation directly conflicts with a clear passage of scripture than our interpretation is wrong.

So those he fore knew or knew in the days past are then predestined to be like him. Salvation is what predetermines our calling.

It is the destiny of every believer to be conformed to the image of Christ Incompletely on this side of death but conformed completely on the other side eternity.

This is the hope of all those who have “Set” their hearts on Christ.

Romans 8:29–30 CSB

29 For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified.

This should give us hope. In those days where we do not feel like we are making in much progress in our Christian life. Those days where we see ourselves fail time and time again. In our salvation we are predetermined to become like Christ. Keep pressing on.

So even though we suffer and we can’t always see the good in it. God is working his will. Look at the promises he gives.

II. The promises to those who are suffering (all believers).

#1 The enemy cannot stand in the way of God’s eternal purpose in our life.

Romans 8:31 CSB

31 What, then, are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us?

Look at the confidence that we are to have. If we believe that there is no God like our God than what do we have to fear? The power of hell trembles at his voice. There is nothing the enemy can do to us that God cannot redeem.

#2 God will give us everything necessary for us completer our mission.

Romans 8:32 CSB

32 He did not even spare his own Son but gave him up for us all. How will he not also with him grant us everything?

We don’t have to fear that we cannot complete what God has predestined us to do. God who did not spare even his own Son will not withhold from us the good things neccesary for us to live out our calling.

See ultimately disobedience to the mission is really disbelief in our God.

#3 We can live free from the fear of condemnation.

Romans 8:33–34 CSB

33 Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies. 34 Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the one who died, but even more, has been raised; he also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us.

The very one that took our sin, Jesus Christ, is the same one that eternally intercedes on our behalf. His nail scared hands are permanent as a constant show of his forgiveness and purchase of us.

#4 We can rest in the inseparable love of God.

Romans 8:35–36 CSB

35 Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: Because of you we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered.

While in more religions hardship is a sign that God is angry with you. In Christ we can rest assure that trials are not God pulling back his love but how he shapes us in his love. His love is with us in the trial as much as in times of peace.

As we have seen in that past several days as it is in many places in the rest of the world, the trials that Paul mentions here are a very real posibility for those who choose the path of following Christ. But none of these things can separate us from the concrete love of Christ and none of these things are a sign of the absence of God’s love for us. The enemy will come in and try to make you believe in testing that God’s love has abandoned you.

for this reason we are given this promise. So that we can determine in our hearts to press on because.....

#5 We are predestined to Victory.

Romans 8:37–39 CSB

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

What would you do in life if you could not fail?

I am sure for some it would be to tryout for your favorite college of professional sports team. Others it would be to start a business or non-profit.

Or maybe there is some Christian work or cause that you want to launch but you have been to afraid to attempt. I am not saying that everything we do will feel like a great success in our own eyes or in the eyes of others but if you do it unto the Lord, you are successful.

In Christ we have this guarantee that if we see the things of God and pursue them, you will not fail in this endeavor. The activity may change, but the promise of brining glory to God will not. In this you wil be victorious.

So then how is your lifestyle right now showing that you believe in this promise?