Romans 8:28-30 - Predestination and Foreknowledge

Romans 8:28-30
²⁸ And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. ²⁹ For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; ³⁰ and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

Message: Predestination and Foreknowledge

Time: This book was probably written between 56 and 57 B.C. Paul was in Greece, probably Corinth when he wrote. It was sent to Gentile believers, but also believers with a strong Jewish element. 

What the Lord is Saying:

Another distinction
I noticed something about these verses that I had not noticed before and that is Paul is writing to the church and stating that "all things work together....to those who are called." All things work together for those that are called. So, he is not saying that all things work together for everyone, but only for those that are called. And he predestined those to conform to the image of His Son. Could it be that God chooses people and conforms their lives to His Son and plans their future, but allows those who are not his to live more freely? He doesn't therefore plan sin in the lives of those that are not called.  People are always asking, "why does God allow bad things to happen to good people?" First of all, no one is good so the question is stated incorrectly. So, why then does God allow bad things to happen? This is more simple because we can see throughout history how bad things have helped us. Why does God allow atrocious things to happen? He wants all to be saved but he saves only a few based upon his foreknowledge so he allows many to not be saved and their lives are lived according to their own devices. He sets apart his called ones.

According to TableTalk
This idea of predestination or God predetermining who will be saved branches off into two choices. One is whether God knows in advance what man will choose, thus having foreknowledge of future events and second, is whether God predetermines in advance who will be his children. In the first view or prescient view the ultimate deciding factor is man; in the latter view, the deciding factor is God. Verse 29 is stating, "those whom He foreknew" or those whom he had set apart for His kingdom before the foundation of the world. "Our Lord's choice of men and women for salvation is based on His decision to set His love upon them, not His knowledge of what they will do."

Promise: God works all for good - FOR THOSE he calls.