God’s salvific plan in summary. Part 9
“And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.” Romans 8:30.
Apostle Paul in the book of Romans, began with God’s wrath against the blatant ungodliness, ingratitude, and sins of people concluded later in chapter 3 that there is no difference between the law-keeping Jews and Gentiles- all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. The good news is the righteousness of God has been made known apart from the law and works. He also established God’s righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all people who would believe in Him. 3:24 says all are ‘justified’ freely by the grace through the redemption that is available in Christ Jesus. No distinction, both Jews and Gentiles both would be justified by and through faith in Jesus only because there is only one God over all (vs.30).
Then he cited an example of how Abraham was justified in chapter 4. He said in verse 2 that if Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about. However, he does not have anything to boast about. “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
Chapter 5 begins by saying, “since we have been justified through faith, we have now peace with God. It also says we have now gained access to God in his grace, and we stand in grace with Him. Besides, we can boast in the assurance of the hope of the glory of God (hope of the glorification which He promised by the benefit of justification.)
After discussing all these wonderful benefits and transaction happened in the life of a believer by justification and positional sanctification, the next section, from chapter 6 onwards, Paul talks about the effects of the progressive sanctification and its internal conflicts and struggles in believers. By citing his own struggles in the process of progressive sanctification, the great Apostle apparently acknowledges the truth that he is a saint and sinner at the same time, which is a true statement regarding all believers in Christ, as long as they live here on this planet earth. Chapter 7:14 says, “for we know that the Law is spiritual; but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin.” 7:17 says, “so now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which indwells in me.” He repeats 7:20 ©, “but sin which dwells in me.” A believer has dualism-he has flesh and the Holy Spirit and consequently the conflicts and struggles. With a tone of disappointment, he says in 7:24, “Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?”
Then he shouted with joyful exclamation and wrote, “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! And continues in 8:1 that, “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” He attests to the truth of positional sanctification that resulted from justification. “No condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Hear the truth after reading the experience of Apostle Paul, the greatest missionary, evangelist, and church planter the world has ever witnessed. If you struggle against sin as a believer in Christ, you must not assume you are a failure. You must not conclude you are displeased with God.
Listen: Believers in Christ are legally declared saints by the heavenly court. They are justified and placed positionally right with God because of their faith and trust in the only God-given savior of the world –Jesus Christ. However, it does not mean you do not have sin in yourselves while you live here. 1 John 1:10 says, “if we say that we have not sinned, we make Him (God) a liar, and His Word is not in us.” Therefore none of us can say we do not do or have sin inside us.
The book of Galatians 5:17 onwards describes the struggle in progressive sanctification. Because believers in Christ have the old flesh and the new Holy Spirit inside them, it tells the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh, for they are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.” It portrays such a war between flesh and Spirit that it says, “so that you may not do the things that you please.” Flesh set opposition to Holy Spirit’s desires. The Holy Spirit set opposition to flesh’s desires. Both are experiential in a true Christian’s life. I experience it. You experience it. The deeds of the flesh are listed in verse 19-21, and the fruit of the Spirit is listed in verse 22-24. This is the path of progressive sanctification. A person who once looked more like verses 19-21, with the help of the indwelling Holy Spirit and in obedience to Him, begins looking more like verse 22-24 is the result of progressive sanctification.
Believers who sincerely placed their faith and trust in the Lord Jesus and thereby justified/sanctified forever in the position must never be discouraged or disappointed when they face struggles/wars of progressive sanctification- advancing to maturity in Christ by character development. Why? Listen to our Bible passage in Romans 8:30 says, “Whom He (God) predestined, these He also called, and whom He called, these He also justified; and who He justified, these He also glorified.”
With no shadow of a doubt, God’s word assures Christ’s believers’ glory in heaven with Christ. “The one who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6). Did you notice, all these chains or mountain tops –predestined, called, justified, and glorified-are used in the completed past tense. They all are used in the aorist tense in the Greek language. The aorist tense simply states the fact that these actions had happened. It is already a done deal. God guaranteed and signed it.
Ephesians 2:4-7 says how God sees His already accomplished action. It says, God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive in Jesus Christ and (already) raised us up with Him and (already) seated us with Him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus, in order to show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us for those who are in Christ Jesus. In God’s eyes, your salvation is a completed work. Your glorification in heavenly places sitting with Christ is also a completed work. Do not doubt for a second what God had accomplished for you in and through Jesus Christ.
All glory, praise and worship to Him alone, who is the only God who is eternal, all-powerful, loving, gracious and merciful.
“Father in heaven, I understand I have sin inside me even though I am justified and declared righteous based on my faith and trust in Jesus Christ for salvation and eternal life. In my striving against sinful passions, Lord I need your help. I want become more like Jesus Christ which is your intention in my life. Help me Lord to submit to the Holy Spirit and walk by Him every day presenting myself approved to you. Thank you for the assurance of salvation you gives me in your Word. I thank you and worship you. In Christ’s name I pray. Amen.”
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