Creator, Father, King #291

Those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

WHEN YOU THINK OF golden chains, what immediately comes to mind? A hip-hop artist’s bling? A little girl’s necklace? Your grandmother’s jewelry collection?

God’s divinely orchestrated order of salvation is probably not the first thing that pops into your head. But in Romans 8:28-30, the apostle Paul describes God’s sovereign election and its beautiful outworking in every believer’s life. Theologians commonly refer to it as “The Golden Chain of Salvation.” Here’s what it says:

For those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified (ESV).

Today, we’re returning to the doctrine of election to discuss this glorious process.

What’s It Mean?

Unlike man-made chains, God’s “Golden Chain of Salvation” cannot be broken. He will lovingly and powerfully carry each of his chosen people through to the end, without fail. Who can thwart God’s plans? He’s God! This is what Paul was driving at with his rhetorical question in Romans 8:35, “Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love?” The answer is an emphatic, “No!”

Let’s take a closer look at the glories of this unbreakable “Golden Chain of Salvation”:

1. God predestines. This happened before Creation (see yesterday’s devotion).
2. God calls. He effectively draws to himself all whom he predestines (1 Thessalonians 2:12).
3. God justifies. He graciously forgives our sins and declares us righteous based on Christ’s character and sacrifice when we receive this gift through faith (Romans 3:24-25).
4. God sanctifies. Paul didn’t explicitly list this chronologically in Romans 8:28-30, but this refers to the lifelong spiritual maturation process of God conforming us to the image of his Son that all Christians experience (Romans 6:19-23).
5. God glorifies. One day, all believers will be fully sanctified and receive perfect, immortal resurrection bodies (1 Corinthians 15:35-58).

This “golden chain” can’t be found even in the most upscale jewelry store! It’s only found in Christ, through the sovereign elective will of God.

Now What?

Look again at Romans 8:28-30. Do you see how the salvation process is entirely God’s initiative from beginning to end?

Did You Know?

In Romans 8:31-39, Paul asks and answers seven questions to further display the eternal security of every believer’s salvation, thanks to God’s sovereign care.