Today's Passage - Romans 8:29-30

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english 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. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified."   Paul mentioned here five great achievements the Spirit has fulfilled on us: Firstly, the Spirit foreknew us. The God we believe in already knew us, and all our needs. The Bible says that God already knew us while we were still in the wombs; that He already inscribed us on the palms of His hand; that He called us by our names, and he knows our voices. God rules over the universe. He foreknows all our needs.   Secondly, for us the Spirit also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son. God works on us with the ultimate goal of conforming us more to the image of his Son Jesus Christ. In fact it doesn't matter the most in God's eyes whether our circumstances are good or not on earth. What matters the most is that He will keep molding us until we are more conformed to Christ.   Thirdly, He also called us to be in His realm. When God calls us, He wants our response to be not out of reluctance but out of spontaneity. His calling also symbolizes some kind of belonging, just like a shepherd who would call his sheep and take them back into the sheepfold if he sees them lost. Do you know that you belong to God? Once you realize you belong to God, you will be strong enough to face the future.   Fourthly, the Spirit also justified us. God not only called us into His realm, but also justified us. Once you realize that God justified you, you will be able to resist any attack of the enemies in the name of the Lord, just like what verse 33 says: "Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies."   Fifthly, it is God's desire to glorify us. When we meet Him in the future, God is ready to share with us His glory by lifting us up to meet Him. Even if we might feel how unworthy we are, how glorious it is for us to share the glory with the Lord.                                  Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord, we thank you for giving us the best. You foreknew us, and for us you predestined to be conformed to the image of Christ. Thank you for calling us,  justifying us, and letting us share the glory in Christ. We thank you and we pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!