(Rom 8:29)  “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”

The burden of the modern day Christian is to know for certain, without any doubt, that they are a child of God, with heaven as their eternal home after death. Today is the day of information supplied to almost to anyone, in any place on the face of the earth, within seconds. This is because of the advances in technology in the way one can access information through computers and the internet. However, let it be noted that the information gained from the Internet is primarily from the knowledge of man as he sees it or understands it. This information may be accurate, or it may be false, or even a mixture of both. Nonetheless, the only source of Pure Truth has been and is the Word of God.

In the Old Testament, God used the prophets to speak and write down God’s Words. The Apostle Peter wrote (2Pe 1:21) “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” That is, Holy men (or men chosen by God, and called by God, and commissioned by God, and sent out by God to speak the very Word of God); spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit of God and not by their own will. Also, it pleased God to have some of His chosen men from Moses to the Apostles to pen down His Words; and these writings have been preserved in a collection that is now called The Bible.

Therefore, the foundation of the believer’s security is found in the Bible; for it is Truth and no error is within; for the Bible is God’s Inspired, inerrant Word (2 Tim. 3:16). When the Word of God is searched in reference to the believer’s security, it will be discovered that Salvation began in the mind of God, even before God created man. Since this is the truth of the matter, then it absolutely precludes that not any part of the Salvation of God’s people is dependent upon the merits of the saved; but is totally founded upon the Plan and Purpose of God in Christ Jesus before time ever was. Scripture references such as (Rev. 13:8b; Eph. 1:4) without a doubt reveal that God had the Plan of Redemption of His people decreed before He created any man or any thing.

The text of this devotion is not a point of argument between the theologians of Calvinism and of the grace/works theologians; but (Rom. 8:29) is unequivocally a statement of affirmation of the Sovereign choice of God of “whom” (not what) He foreknew; meaning that He knew people in relationship. This is a choice of person prior to the person knowing of such choices made by God of them. This point is submitted not to be argumentative; but to establish in the believer’s heart, the truth that will bring true security to his understanding of his eternal future with God. This security is based upon the past decree of God’s Eternal purpose of Salvation in Christ of those chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4). This previous action by God, without any input by man, is the first pillar of the believer’s foundation of security of his present indwelling in God and God in him, and for the believer’s future presence with God for all eternity. The word that the KJV translates, “foreknow” (Greek word = προγινώσκω; Eng. proginōskō; prog-in-oce’-ko (From G4253 (Gk. Preposition, “pro” meaning before; and G1097 (Gk. Wd. Ginosko, meaning to know by experience))”; therefore to know beforehand, that is,  foreknow (ordain), know (before), to know by union. This means that God did know the “whom” of Rom. 8:29 in relationship. This verse does not say for what God knew or saw, even though God knows all and sees all; but of “whom,” speaking of individuals.

Then, those whom He (God) did foreknow before time ever was; were “predestinated” (Gk. Wd. προορίζω; Eng. proorizō; pro-or-id’-zo); From G4253 (pro- A primary preposition; pro, before, that is, in front of, prior (figuratively superior) to); (and G3724; ὁρίζω horizō hor-id’-zo From G3725; to mark out or bound (horizon), that is, (figuratively) to appoint, decree, specify: – declare, determine, limit, ordain). So to limit in advance, that is, (figuratively) predetermine: – determine before, ordain, predestinate.”

What is it that God predetermined? That is, God ordained the “whom” to be “conformed to the image of His Son.” Here is the perfect security of the believer; for God decreed it so. In God is no failure; therefore, when the Holy Spirit brings the “whom” of Rom. 8:29 to the knowledge that they are a son of God (Rom. 1:14-16); then they know that their Salvation started with God; is carried out by God; and is performed in their spirit by the regenerating process of the Holy Spirit of God – and they come to confess this fact before men (Rom. 10:9-13). God promised that these shall be saved (delivered from the power, penalty and punishment of sin in experience in this life and preserved in Christ on earth and in heaven forever and ever).

This is real and true and everlasting Security for the believer. The conditions to be met for the “whom” of (Rom. 8:29) were established by God and performed by God in Christ Jesus; this is true and lasting security for the believer. What is so sad in the religious world of today is, theologians, preachers, etc. have placed on man the conditions to be met for salvation; when in fact Jonah 2:9 says, “salvation is of the Lord”; and the Bible concurs from Genesis to Revelation that Salvation began with God before the foundation of the world; and it was God in the flesh, Jesus Christ that redeemed and reconciled His people on the cross in time (2 Cor. 5:21); and it is the Holy Spirit of God that is responsible for regeneration in the heart of a man (Eph. 1:4-11; 2:1-8; Rom. 3:24-24; 5:1-2; 5; 2 Tim. 1:7-10). The security of this is what John wrote, for (John 6:37) says, “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out” (What greater security can a person have than to know that God will carry out His Plan and Purpose? God said all the given are coming; no exceptions; none will be left out of the “whom” that Rom. 8:29 speaks of). How can this be if man’s coming to Christ is left up to man, since man is born into this world “dead in trespesses and sins” (Eph. 2:1)? Therefore, God must come to man, and give man spiritual life, before man can respond to God.

The Apostle Paul penned the greatest chapter, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, on the security of the believer in (Rom.8:1-39). Wherein is explained that all (without exception) – all of Salvation is founded upon the Plan and the Purpose and the Performance of God Himself, apart from any merits of the sinner. God is the Cause, and the sinner is the recipient (or receiver – passive; for Salvation is the gift of God, Eph. 2:8-9) of God’s love, mercy and grace.

Therefore, all boasting is in Christ, and not in the sinner (1 Cor. 4:7). When this truth becomes a reality in the spirit of a man; it will bring joy, peace, and a sure hope that God will perform what He started (Phil. 2:13); for the preservation of His people is dependent upon God and not on the sinner.

Remember this fact: (Jas. 2:14-26) true faith is manifested in the works of righteousness performed in the believer’s daily walk. You can have works without faith; but you cannot have true faith without works of faith. The Works of faith is proof; or is the manifestation that you have been given Faith (or Christ; for Christ is The Faith; Gal. 2:16, 20). It is Christ in you that preserves and keeps you forever; not in your power, but the power of Almighty God – this is Total Security for the Believer.