The word and doctrine of "predestination" is considered a
forbidden territory in our day, especially by religious men and women. But where
they fear to tread the Apostle Paul loved to walk. Not only without fear or
shame but with love and gratitude does he speak of this blessed truth. "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." Rom.8:29 This truth is
to be believed and taught first of all because it is in God's Word. It is not a
doctrine invented by some dark age theologian but is the plain truth of
scripture. It involves not only acts and events but also individuals. "For whom
he did predestinate.." It should be the concern of every person to learn of
predestination because it is something God did! "For whom he (God) did
predestinate.." Instead of saying "God wouldn't do that" it should be noted that
predestination involves something God has already done! "For whom he did
predestinate.." Predestination flows out of the love of God. The word "foreknow"
means more than to have prior knowledge of, it means to "fore-love."
Furthermore, predestination is joined together with Christ who is salvation.
"For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image
of his Son." There is no salvation without Christ and no Christ without
predestination! Then all the essential doctrines that make up God's salvation
such as calling, justification and glorification proceed from divine
predestination. "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." Rom. 8:30 As a matter of fact, all spiritual blessings in Christ
including our adoption as children of God are the results of God's
predestination. "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus
Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will." Eph. 1:5 Even
the eternal inheritance of which heaven itself is a part is by God's
predestination in Christ. "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." Eph. 1:11 Salvation in Christ must be by
predestination for He must get all glory!