Romans: Predestination & Sanctification
Romans 8:28-30 is often used to support the doctrine of predestination, which is one of the fundamental characteristics of the Calvinist Christian view. Predestination is the belief that God does not just know all who will be saved, but ordains (decides) who will be saved. The people who will be saved are called the “elect”. For more on Calvinism, listen to this podcast episode by Phylicia Masonheimer. But first, let’s take apart these two verses for ourselves this week.
Read Romans 8:29-30 and journal through the following questions this week:
What do we as Christians “know,” according to Apostle Paul? (v. 28)
What does it mean that “all things work together for good to those who love God”? (v. 28) For a deeper study into this verse and why many people today misunderstand the meaning behind this promise, read or listen to John Piper’s commentary, “All Things for Good.”
What are the definitions of each of these words? Write them out.
Who is included in those God foreknew? (v. 28-29)
What is God’s purpose/will that we’re called to? (v. 28) See also 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 and 2 Timothy 1:9, 1 Corinthians 1:9, Galatians 5:15, and Hebrews 3:1
For those whom God foreknow, what did God predestine them for? (v. 29)
How can we be conformed to Christ’s likeness? See 1 John 3:2, Matthew 5:8 and John 1:12
“Predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son” is basically the process of sanctification. This is a process that God does with our cooperation, not something He just does to us. Read 2 Timothy 2:21, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, John 17:17-19, 1 Corinthians 6:11, Hebrews 10:14, Philippians 1:6, and Acts 26:18. Based on these passages, answer the following questions:
How is the process of sanctification completed?
Who is involved in the process of sanctification?
How long does the process of sanctification take?
How do you know if you are sanctified?
Why is the process of sanctification necessary?
If Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross perfected us (Hebrews 10:14), then why do we still need to be sanctified?
Reflect & Respond
What does this passage teach me about God?
How does this change the way I live?
Scripture to Memorize
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” -Romans 8:28
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yelena is the founder and editor in chief Tirzah. Yelena works as an attorney in tax and in her spare time, she is working on her first book for unmarried twenty-something women in extended waiting seasons and running Tirzah. She has a passion for pointing young women to Christ, and enjoys reading, writing, traveling, and spending time with her family. Yelena lives in Indiana with her husband, Daniel.