Those He Called He Also Justified and Glorified—Romans 8:30
"And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified" (Romans 8:30)
In many states, when you adopt a child a new birth certificate is issued. The adoptive parents are listed as the birth parents and the original birth certificate is sealed only to be opened again by court order. This is done so the adoption child can obtains every right that a naturally born child would possess. What an amazing thing adoption is. The good news for today, is the same is true for us as born again believers. God has adopted us into his family and we have received every right and privilege as His child.
In Romans 8, Paul has written extensively that we are God's children, testified by the Holy Spirit living within us ( Romans 8:16 ). In yesterday's passage, Paul wrote to us that God foreknew us and predestined us to be conformed to the likeness of his son ( Romans 8:29 ). Today, Paul is reminding us what that entails. As adoptive children, we have received every right and privilege that His own son has. Jesus has been glorified and seated at the right hand of the father in heaven and everything was place under his feet ( Ephesians 1:20-22 ).In the same manner, as God's children, we too share in this amazing position of authority. "And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus" ( Ephesians 2:6-7 ). Not only did he determine and appoint us before hand but he called, justified and glorified us in the process.
This is an amazing truth, but not understanding who you are in Christ Jesus and what is yours by your right as his child, will keep you from experiences this. The first thing that you must understand is that through Christ Jesus you are justified before God. Justification means that it is just as if you had never sinned. Through faith in his blood you are acquitted, made righteous and put into right standing with him. Understanding this will give you confidence before God, knowing that you face no condemnation from him ( Romans 8:1 ).
Next, it is important to understand that God has glorified you. He has raised you up to a heavily dignity and you currently exist in this condition and state of being. You have received every right and privilege as his heir and you are seated far above every principality in existence ( Ephesians 1:21, Ephesians 2:6 ). Paul prayed for the Ephesians so that they would understand this truth because he knew it would empower them to fulfill God's will for their life. The same is true for us. God desires for us is to fulfill the purpose to which we have been called. Grasping this position of authority will propel you into fulfilling it because you will understand that every resource is available to you as God's heir.
Today, I pray that you spiritual eyes may be opened to understand this powerful word. I praise God that we have been foreordained, called and chosen to be God's children. I am thankful that we have already received every privilege of that association with him. Today, may you understand this truth and may it change your heart, amen.