Predestined To Greatness

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. Romans 8:29

There's an incredible amount of confusion surrounding this verse. Just a thought: if Satan deems a verse important enough to cast this much doubt and controversy on a particular verse, it might be something special. And I believe it is. Two words are at the center of the debate--"foreknow" and "predestinate". The funny thing is we try to get too deep sometimes and miss the whole point. What does it mean to foreknow something or someone? Well, it means to know in advance. Who did God know in advance? Everyone! God knew each and every person who's ever been born on this earth before they were a proverbial twinkle in their father's eye. EVERY single one of us! So, then, this verse tells us that God predestinated every person ever born to be conformed to the image of Christ.

What about "predestinate"? The word used here means to purpose or ordain in advance. God ordained all mankind to be made like Christ--His plan is for ALL of us to be regenerated. Here's the catch: He also gave us the ability to choose to reject that. God did not choose in advance certain people who could be saved and others who cannot! He loved all. He died for all. He calls all. As a matter of fact, He's already forgiven all! But hell will be full of loved, called, forgiven people. People who God WILLED to be saved. People who's pre-intended destiny in God's mind was to be made like Him. They, for all intents and purposes, abdicated their royal destiny.

This is the amazing point all this makes, though: God knew who you were before you were ever born. He knew everything about you. And He determined then that you were worth giving His Son for; worthy of being conformed to the image of Christ; worthy to be made a son/daughter, a brother/sister, an equal heir to all He had. You were born to this incredible, wonderful, amazing destiny. I trust that you've accepted the adoption. But are you fully living up to your destiny?