Romans 8:29-30 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
God’s purpose for us is to be remade into the likeness of Jesus Christ who is the second Adam, the representation in this fallen world of the perfect human. This representation is not in a physical way in what Jesus looked like but in a spiritual and relational way. “Firstborn” can be interpreted as priority and representation. Jesus set the pattern for us in obedience to the cross and provides the promise through resurrection. There is no indication in this verse that only certain people are predestined. Rather, this is God’s purpose for all people. Following God’s purpose for us in Christ will lead us to the call of salvation and the experience of justification. The end result will be eternal life with God. The unstated link in all this is faith. The invitation is to all people but only those with faith become part of the called.
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