“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover, whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified” (Romans 8:28-30).
Certainty in spiritual matters is a wonderful, yet potentially elusive, commodity. Infallible proof of the certainty of God’s providence is not found in the fickle foibles of human feelings. It is not an elite privilege of a chosen few. Its proof and certainty are within the public domain.
After trumpeting four tremendous truths about God’s providence in verse 28 (see yesterday’s post), the apostle Paul unveils the impregnable foundation upon which a sure and steadfast faith in it rests (in verses 29-30).
We know with absolute certainty that Jehovah’s providence is able to work all things together for good to those who love Him, the called according to His purpose because of the scarlet thread of redemption He has inextricably woven into human history.
Since Jehovah is from everlasting to everlasting (Psalm 90:2), He knows the end of a matter from its beginning (Isaiah 46:10). His plan of saving humanity via His Son and the gospel of His grace was foreknown and then predestined; it was eternally purposed (Ephesians 3:11). In the fullness of time the Son of God was born of a woman, born under the Law (Galatians 4:4). The Christ then lived and died according to the Scriptures, was buried and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures and was finally exalted to God’s right hand where He reigns as King-Priest according to the Scriptures.
Because Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth, whoever calls on the name of the Lord in response to His call via the gospel shall be justified. Their state of justification remains as long as they walk according to the Spirit and not according to the flesh. Those who die in the Lord justified will be glorified, heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ.
Therefore, we KNOW God’s providence is a certain reality in our world.
