CALLED, JUSTIFIED AND GLORIFIED
(week 18/16)
OLUBI JOHNSON
Romans 8:30 KJV: Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
Here the scripture tells us that those that God predestinated He called, He justified and also glorified.
On the surface this scripture seems to imply that God did not call everybody: that He predestinated some and did not others; but this is NOT TRUE because God is no respecter of persons:
Acts 10:34 KJV: Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: (35) But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
God predestinates EVENTS AND PURPOSES with conditions NOT INDIVIDUALS; however individuals that fulfill the conditions now become predestinated to experience those events and purposes.
So in fact God calls ALL by shining the light of his truth in their hearts through their consciences but only those who have been exercising their hearts in honesty in the light of God’s revelation of Himself through creation and innate moral law through their consciences respond to the call and ultimately get born-again and then are justified.
Psalms 145:9 KJV: The Lord is good to ALL, and His tender mercies are over all His works [the entirety of things created].
This shows God’s mercies are released upon ALL men!
John 1:9 NKJV: That was the true Light which gives light to EVERY man coming into the world.
This shows that when we are born physically God’s light: the knowledge of Him and his work in creation is revealed to EVERY man’s heart: their conscience.
Romans 2:14-15 NIV: (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. (15) They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.)
Romans 1:18-21 KJV: For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, (19) because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. (20) For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, (21) because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
This shows that IF a man responds to God’s truth in his heart dishonestly the light in his heart will become darkness.
John 3:19-21 KJV: And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. (20) For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. (21) But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”
This shows that men CHOOSE as an act of their will either to respond to light or to deny it.
2Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of Adonai move here and there throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those who are wholehearted toward him. You acted foolishly in this regard; for from now on, you will have war.”
For those who CONSISTENTLY OR WHOLEHEARTEDLY respond positively to light WITH THEIR WILL even if not with their actions because they do not have the spiritual power to do so:
Romans 7:18 NKJV: For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find;
God shows Himself strong on their behalf and starts working on them and in their circumstances to protect them and ULTIMATELY (and this make take many years) get them born-again!
Getting them born-again then gets them justified or made righteous (in right standing with God) by the blood of Jesus and His sufferings on their behalf:
Romans 3:23-26 NIV: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (24) and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. (25) God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— (26) he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
In our article next week we will see how we will be glorified.
