Romans 8:28-30 (v29)...

We had made mention that from vv28-39 that there is six reasons of why we can rejoice while this present order still exists.

We saw that God is working all things together for our good in v28.

Everything is currently working for the benefit of God’s people.

We saw that we love God because He called us into salvation. He called us because He purposed to do so.

This is an immense consolation to believers as they endure sufferings in this world while waiting to go and be with Jesus in heaven.

The second reason to rejoice is the certainty of vv29-30. That God will certainly bring us to glory.

Listen once again: 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.” ()

Everyone ‘whom he foreknew’ he has ‘predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son’.

Is everyone going to be conformed to Christ’s image? No.

So that means that not everybody has been foreknown.

Paul is using the word ‘knew’ in its Hebrew sense, not in the sense that we use it today.

It means ‘to know and love intimately, as in a marriage relationship’.

The word “foreknew” is NOT speaking about some unspecified thing here (such as foreseen faith) that is known. He’s speaking about persons, real people.

Knowing a person is a common biblical expression for loving that person.

God says of Israel: 5 "I knew you in the wilderness, in the land of drought.” ()

2 "I have known only you out of all the clans of the earth...” ()

There are particular people whom God has intimately loved beforehand, and

every one of them is going to be conformed to the image of his Son so that He might be the firstborn among them,

the Elder Brother of that great family of the children of God.

Every person whom God so predestined He called by the gospel, justified and glorified.

It is all in the past tense, because it is so certain that it has as good as happened.

Not one of those on whom God has set His love will fail to arrive in heaven (see ).

However many are our present sufferings, and however intense,

we can rejoice that we are certain to arrive at our heavenly destination.

v29 let’s us know what Paul has in mind regarding the “good” towards which God makes all things work is now made clear.

In this world where believers groan inwardly as they await their adoption

they may experience suffering and persecution, but God

in His sovereign power makes even these things serve the end of their conformity to Christ.

This is what God has ‘predestined’ for those whom He ‘foreknew’, each and every individual believer.

Paul uses the verb ‘to predestine’ when speaking of matters that God has predetermined.

"For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son...” ()

In Ephesians he says that God predestined believers to be adopted as His children

5 "He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,” ()

We’ve also been predestined to live for His praise and glory: 11 "In him we have also received an inheritance, because we were predestined according to the plan of the one who works out everything in agreement with the purpose of his will, 12 "so that we who had already put our hope in Christ might bring praise to his glory.” ()

Here in 8:29 Paul points out the RENEWAL that God predestined believers ‘to be conformed to the image of his Son’.

For us to be conformed to the image of Christ, it’s going to involve transformation.

This can involve moral transformation, which takes place in the present:

18 "We all, with unveiled faces, are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit.” ()

9 "Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old self with its practices 10 "and have put on the new self. You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your Creator.” ()

This transformation happening at the present also includes

1. conformity to Christ and His sufferings as we travel through to that better country.

By God’s grace He let’s us taste a bit of the world that’s to come to sweeten our journey.

He also allows our feet to touch upon the evil of this world to hasten our journey and here we are made like Christ, who was a man of sorrows ().

This is expected of us. "...‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you....” ()

There were none poorer than Christ there were none more hated than Christ and all of which was patiently endured:

21 "For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” ()

Even if our sufferings go on to death, we’re being made like Christ: 2 "keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” ()

So we draw comfort from the truth that afflictions don’t come by the will of man nor by the mere permission of God but by the special decree of God to make me just like Jesus.

2. This RENEWAL is also a transformation in righteousness and holiness.

9 "Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old self with its practices 10 "and have put on the new self. You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your Creator.” ()

God has appointed His chosen ones to be like His own Son in holiness;

this the scripture bears witness everywhere: , ‘Let the same mind be in you that was in Jesus;’ and

, ‘Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly;’

, ‘I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done;’

, ‘Forgiving one another, as Christ forgave you;’ and

in many other places.

It’s also going to be an eschatological change as well.

49 "And just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we will also bear the image of the man of heaven.” () OR

20 "... the Lord Jesus Christ. 21 "He will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of his glorious body, by the power that enables him to subject everything to himself.” ()

In doing good responsible bible study on this, taking all that Paul teaches on the subject.

We may say, then, that God has predestined believers to be conformed to the image of his Son, both through

moral transformation in the present and finally

both through moral transformation in the present and finally by resurrection on the last day.

by resurrection on the last day.

Kruse, C. G. (2012). Paul’s Letter to the Romans. (D. A. Carson, Ed.) (p. 356). Cambridge, U.K.; Nottingham, England; Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Apollos.

In the present context, where those who are predestined, called, and justified are also to be glorified,

Paul has in mind the final eschatological conforming of believers to the image of Christ through resurrection (cf. ; ; ).

This is the RENEWAL that’s going to take place.

Then we have the REASON for the Renewal. 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.” ()

reason

so that he would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” ()

The reason or the purpose in conforming believers to the image of Christ is now revealed!

The word firstborn is to be understood as the firstborn child in a family.

Which in the culture of Scripture it denotes preeminent status.

Jesus was the first to experience resurrection from the dead to die no more.

Kruse, C. G. (2012). Paul’s Letter to the Romans. (D. A. Carson, Ed.) (p. 356). Cambridge, U.K.; Nottingham, England; Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Apollos.

18 "He is also the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything.” ()

It just makes sense, that if the duty as well as the destiny of believers is to be conformed to the image of God’s Son, then He must indeed be pre-eminent.

Kruse, C. G. (2012). Paul’s Letter to the Romans. (D. A. Carson, Ed.) (pp. 356–357). Cambridge, U.K.; Nottingham, England; Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Apollos.

The concept of Christ being the firstborn among many brothers and sisters here in 8:29

The concept of Christ being the firstborn among many brothers and sisters here in 8:29

refers to His preeminence among His ‘many brothers and sisters’,

those who bear the family likeness through transformation and will share His glory.

In a wonderful parallel passage we hear the writer of Hebrews say these glorious words:

10 "For in bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was entirely appropriate that God—for whom and through whom all things exist—should make the source of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 "For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, 12 "saying: I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters; I will sing hymns to you in the congregation.” ()

So the renewal is that God loves us and predestined that we ultimately would be conformed to the image of Christ.

Think of our (what’s called) primitive glory. 26 "Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness. ...” ()

This was our perfection, which made us beautiful in the sight of God.

This was the grace of God towards us.

Nothing in all of creation has this type of favor and grace bestowed upon them. He made us humans as the masterpiece of His Creation, the crowning jewel (if you will).

And when sin entered the world, this image was lost and distorted. and to have it restored is the true glory of a man.

To share in the divine nature (Peter says) is to escape the corruption that is in the world because of evil desire. ().

Wickedness makes a person depraved and vile but holiness puts honor and glory back upon a creature.

That creature begins to live according to the very purpose for which he was created.

To come as near to God (by His grace) in wisdom, purity, and holiness).

But when this glory was lost in the garden, there have been and are none fit to restore it but Jesus Christ, the Son of God incarnate.

Now the glory of the Father was again visible in Him, in our nature.

Paul says of Christ in that He is the image of the invisible God.

says, "The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact expression of his nature....” ()

So it’s through Christ that the image of God is restored upon us. It’s through Christ that favor with God is restored.

To be conformed to the image of Christ is to have God appearing in your nature.

See, we have to be made into the image of the invisible God, we have to be the exact expression of His nature.

We have to be changed by God to be made like God.

This is the glory of Christ and the beauty of His work upon our souls.

We are also sealed by the Spirit too right? The sealing of the Spirit is none but conformity to Christ.

13 "In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed.” () and

"And don’t grieve God’s Holy Spirit. You were sealed by him for the day of redemption.” ()

22 "He has also put his seal on us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a down payment.” ()

What is this sealing but the image of Christ impressed upon our souls by His Spirit.

The ring has an image engraved on it, which is dipped into the hot wax and is pressed onto a letter leaving the exact image that was engraved upon the ring.

The Holy Spirit leaves or imprints the image of God upon our souls in the new birth.

Thus they are sealed with God’s mark, they are His peculiar treasure,

chosen out from others to be His people to

serve Him,

please Him,

glorify Him, and

enjoy Him.

So if a person is going to examine himself where does he look to? He looks to Christ!

"Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith. Examine yourselves. Or do you yourselves not recognize that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless you fail the test.” ()

Is Jesus in you objectively? As He is laid hold of and embraced by faith and love.

That He’s in your heart and mind and you have thoughts of Christ daily!

Is Christ in you effectively? As a principle of a new and heavenly life by His Spirit.

It’s no longer I who live but that Christ lives in me!

Is Christ in you by way of conformity? Paul speaks of laboring with the church in Galatia “until Christ is formed in them”. (Gal. 4:19).

Whether His nature and graces be there, whether you do resemble Him in this life, and that that’s what you seek after in this life.

So we’re heading to glory. That has direct results for our lives now today.

We are accordingly to live as members of the family, and that means being made like our elder Brother Jesus.

We are utterly distinguished from the rest of humanity. We will be in glory and we will be in this life as well.

So do you bear likeness to Christ? He’s your pattern.

Christ spent whole nights in prayer! Christ prayed secretly, a lot!

Do you just put off God in prayer?

Jesus makes statements like this: “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work”. ().

That’s the heart of His younger siblings as well.

Christ was humble and meek. He wasn’t proud or arrogant.

Christ went about serving others and doing good!

Christ was holy and heavenly, many professing believers are vain, and worldly!

Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

Darkness is as much like light as they are Christ-like!

For many, instead of showing forth the beauties and virtues of the Redeemer, they are of their father the devil and his desires they will do!

I’m just going to exhort you to Christ-likeness as we close.

Remember dear believer that the foundation for Christ-likeness or conformity to Christ is laid out for us in the new birth.

As the Son of God was conceived by the Holy Spirit! So to we are born of the Spirit!

It’s the Spirit that gives us life to God and makes us new creations, we owe our birth to Him, that was the way that we became His children.

12 "But to all who did receive him, he gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in his name, 13 "who were born, not of natural descent, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God.” ()

Our Lord, after being formed in the virgin’s womb by the Holy Spirit, devoted Himself to God!

in it speaks of God preparing a body for Christ and then it says,

“...— I have come to do your will, O God.” ()

The Scriptures say that “Christ is God’s”, so He came into this world as God’s.

This must be us, after we’re born again! "...Instead, they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us by God’s will.” ()

Devote yourself to God by serving Him here through the church!

As Christ had His eyes upon the will of the Father as He was being led by the Spirit, so to with us.

As we keep our eyes upon the Father’s will, the Spirit who guided and comforted Christ will guide and comfort us as well!

As with Christ the Spirit of God will lead us into and out of conflict! "For all those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons.” ()

14 "For all those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons.” ()

24 "The one who keeps his commands remains in him, and he in him. And the way we know that he remains in us is from the Spirit he has given us.” ()

I hope that you desire to Christ-like towards God and to man.

Jesus said in , “I do not seek My own glory”

Jesus said in that, “I always do what pleases Him.”.

He said 38 "For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me.” ()

Christ was subject to His natural parents.

Christ spent much time in prayer alone with His Father.

He was subject to rulers, paying His taxes.

38 "how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how he went about doing good...” ()

He was humble and served others!

We are to keep our eyes upon Jesus who said, “...I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.”” ()

To be unlike Christ is a big deal and cause for concern. 12 "Watch out, brothers and sisters, so that there won’t be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13 "But encourage each other daily, while it is still called today, so that none of you is hardened by sin’s deception. 14 "For we have become participants in Christ if we hold firmly until the end the reality that we had at the start.” ()

To lose evidence of salvation, is to lose assurance of salvation.

See yourself under a spiritual engagement to be more like Christ every day.

Because glory is where the believer is bound and he will begin to live like it here on earth!