56. Called, Justified, Glorified
Romans 8:30 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.
God did four things for us in this promise. Each verb is in the past tense, but actually each of these denotes an action that is completed and its effect is in the present.
- Predestinated: although it sounds past, even long, long past, it is really a present reality. We are in a state of predestination. It has been, and still is, predetermined who and what we are. The word is simply meant to reveal that God initiated the whole process of salvation, a glorious state in which we find ourselves now. Those who are baptized and believe in Jesus today are in such a state because God set His mind, will and purpose upon each one of them in eternity and worked it all out in historical time. From the foundation of the world God planned my eternal salvation, my destiny and my times.
- Called: sometime, even several times, during my lifetime God called me by the Gospel; that Gospel itself induces me to respond in faith to believe in Christ and be saved. After He has effectively called me, I call upon the name of the Lord and will be saved. The Call of the Gospel is powerful but not forced. It is like the call of Abraham, the call of Moses, the call of Isaiah, the call of Jeremiah, the call of Peter and the call of Paul. The love of God is so wonderful and compelling that one is made willing to follow even unto death.
- Justified: we have been justified by grace through faith on account of Christ. This is complete and finished and the effects of justification are presently enjoyed. We have been justified, we still are today, and we will always be forever.
- Glorified: it is expected that this word would be in the future tense: we will be glorified in the resurrection to eternal life. But No! We are glorified in the past (when Jesus died and rose) and we are glorified in the present. This is the surprise. We don’t look glorified and we don’t act glorified, but we are, because God says so; He promises. If we could see inside into our spirits we would see what God sees; and what God sees is glory. When we see with faith we say, “I am glorified! Thank you, Jesus!”
These four promises are not chronological, as one step following another, but they are simultaneous. We are predestined, called, justified and glorified in this space and time; this is true now and all the time forever.