Everyone loves Romans 8:31
Rom 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Yet many gloss over or try to rationalize the clear meaning of Romans 8:29-30.
Rom 8:29, 30 "For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified."
This is the gospel simply stated.
An Absolutely Sovereign God, Creator and Ruler of the universe, has chosen from the overflow of His Absolute Love to create. In His creation He has determined to demonstrate to all His Absolute Love that by preconception and free choice, He has determined for some to become lovely in His sight, by planning a way for them to become conformed to the His image. His image is reflected in The Eternal Son. Upon this unconditional and absolute choice He brings His plan to completion by a process of calling to belief, justifying by applying the propitiation of His Son's sacrifice of shed blood and broken body and glorifying in the completed work of resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ, Yeshua Messiah, Isa Al Masih; bringing the called to glorification.
This is what leads to Romans 8:31.
Some may argue that this act is for all and unconditional means "God loves everyone".
Doesn't it say so in the next verses?
Rom 8:32, 33 "He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies."
Paul is very clear who are the "us all" in verse 32 it is "God's Elect".
Would we also presume that "graciously give us all things" is a literal "all the things we selfishly and sinfully want'?
No God's Unconditional Absolute Love is a reflection of His choice and that He chooses without respect of persons. His choice is free and unconditional graciously given apart from our worthiness. The worth belongs to Jesus and our becoming like Him through the transforming power of calling, justification and glorification.
All of God. All of grace.
Rom 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Yet many gloss over or try to rationalize the clear meaning of Romans 8:29-30.
Rom 8:29, 30 "For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified."
This is the gospel simply stated.
An Absolutely Sovereign God, Creator and Ruler of the universe, has chosen from the overflow of His Absolute Love to create. In His creation He has determined to demonstrate to all His Absolute Love that by preconception and free choice, He has determined for some to become lovely in His sight, by planning a way for them to become conformed to the His image. His image is reflected in The Eternal Son. Upon this unconditional and absolute choice He brings His plan to completion by a process of calling to belief, justifying by applying the propitiation of His Son's sacrifice of shed blood and broken body and glorifying in the completed work of resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ, Yeshua Messiah, Isa Al Masih; bringing the called to glorification.
This is what leads to Romans 8:31.
Some may argue that this act is for all and unconditional means "God loves everyone".
Doesn't it say so in the next verses?
Rom 8:32, 33 "He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies."
Paul is very clear who are the "us all" in verse 32 it is "God's Elect".
Would we also presume that "graciously give us all things" is a literal "all the things we selfishly and sinfully want'?
No God's Unconditional Absolute Love is a reflection of His choice and that He chooses without respect of persons. His choice is free and unconditional graciously given apart from our worthiness. The worth belongs to Jesus and our becoming like Him through the transforming power of calling, justification and glorification.
All of God. All of grace.
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