According To His Purpose

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 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.
Romans 8:28-30

Notes

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28

For most of us, we can remember times of great joy and great sadness, even suffering. What Paul is trying to emphasize is that what we consider to be good or bad is part of the plan for our lives. Philosophically some have argued that to know true joy one has to know true pain. God does not bring about pain, but he provides the recovery, redemption and repair that leads to growth, strength and even gratitude for our hardships. And yet, when something goes wrong we immediately blame God.

We, as believers can take comfort in the promise given to us by a sovereign God who works things for our good. We may not understand or enjoy the experiences that come our way but we can be confident that those experiences provide a purpose in the present for our future good. The pain, the suffering, hope and joy are meant for our eternal good and to custom build us closer to the image of Christ. Our lives are not left to cruel chance or twisted fate, instead, our lives are being molded and shaped by a loving God who is wise and good.

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.
Romans 8:29

The most astonishing truth and revelation is that the phenomenal gift of grace leads ungodly sinners to be transformed into the image of Christ. Not becoming deities or even physically resembling Christ, but we morally become more like Him, free of our sinful nature and our bodies glorified.

This idea of foreknowledge goes beyond simply knowing of the births of all people, but that some are predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son and will take their place of honor beside Christ, who is not One among equals, but the One who holds the highest honor among His brothers and sisters.

And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
Romans 8:30

All are called by God in a general call toward a life of grace and mercy, but only a few will respond in the conversion-producing action of accepting His call. Those who do respond to His call are justified and given a standing of righteousness. Those who are justified are also glorified or will be. The assurance is so strong here, by God, that future glorification, being presented in a state of high honor in heaven, is described as though it has already happened.