What is our purpose? That is an age-old question. Asked and thought by every person who ever lived. Our reason for existence is not to please ourselves, though that is it the way the heart of the flesh leads, the goal of our life is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Westminster Shorter Catechism. We are being conformed to the image of Christ for a purpose.
Confident Faith in God’s Sovereign Salvation
In Romans 8:29-30, Paul gives us the foundation on which Romans 8:28 stands. We know, we are confident that God causes all things to work together for good for those who love Him. Who are those who love Him? Those whom God, foreknew, predestined, called, justified, and glorified, according to Romans 8:29-30.
I see two things happening in Romans 8:29-30 among the hundreds that we could mention. What are they? Our purpose and the faith to understand it.
Faith is our response to Romans 8:28-30. Faith is not blind; faith sees. It does not see with physical eyes but with spiritual eyes. 2 Corinthians 5:5, Hebrews 11:1. The light we must see to be saved is the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Corinthians 4:4.
Romans 8:29 gives a beautiful glimpse into the sovereign saving work of God in which He works through the Holy Spirit, giving us the light of the gospel with eyes to see and believe in His son Jesus Christ who is the image of God.
God Gives the Faith Needed
God gives the faith needed to see and understand our need for salvation and the purpose of it. The process of progressive sanctification worked in us through the power of the Holy Spirit causes us to become conformed to the image of Christ. Romans 8:29. But there is something higher to see or let me put it this way, a person to be seen, loved, savored, and honored above all. I mean not just honored above all people but everything. That is the person Jesus Christ.
We Are Being Conformed to the Image of Christ
John Piper helped me see more clearly what is meant in Romans 8:29 when it says, ” we are predestined to be conformed into the image of Christ so that Christ would be the firstborn among many brethren.”
We must have his character and likeness to know him and see him and love him and admire him and make much of him. By adding the words, “that He would be the firstborn among many brethren,” Paul makes plain that Christ is ever and always supreme above us, and that we must be holy in order to be with him and enjoy him forever.
Without faith, without conformity, we would not see Christ in all of His glory. We would not be counted co-heirs with Him. Romans 8:17.
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