Called - Justified - Glorified

Romans 8:30

 

Them he also called”

 

Matthew Henry wrote, “All that God did from eternity predestinate to grace and glory he does, in the fulness of time, effectually call.” “Them he also called” that the purpose of God, according to election, might stand, at the appointed time of love and grace, God’s elect are called to that to which we were chosen and predestinated.

 

Sinners come to Christ when God the Holy Spirit calls them to Christ and graciously makes them willing to come. He convinces the heart. He bows the will. He enlightens the mind. He inclines the soul. He makes chosen, redeemed sinners willing in the day of his power (Psa. 65:4; 110:3).

 

The word “called” here was a legal term in the Roman world. It means summoned, as when a person is called to appear in court. The call of God the Holy Spirit is not an invitation. It is a divine summons, issued upon the legal grounds of blood atonement. All who are thus called to Christ come to Christ, and come most gladly!

 

The only way to make our election sure is to make sure our calling (2 Pet. 1:10). If you come to Christ it is because God the Father chose you in eternity, Christ redeemed you at Calvary, and the Holy Spirit has effectually called you. Your faith in the Son of God is the fruit and evidence of all God’s saving operations of grace toward you and in you.

 

“Whom he called those he also justified.”

 

All that are called by the Spirit of God are justified, absolved from all guilt, and accepted as righteous in and through the Lord Jesus Christ. We are right in court. No sin we have ever been guilty of, no sin we are guilty of, and no sin that we shall yet be guilty of shall come against us to condemn us. The book is crossed, the bond cancelled, the judgment vacated, the debt is paid, the indictment is reversed; and we are no longer dealt with as criminals, but owned and loved as friends and favorites. Blessed is the man whose iniquity is thus forgiven. None are thus justified but those that were foreknown and predestinated, and are effectually called. And all who are predestined and called and justified stand before the holy Lord God in Christ as righteous people, justified in him, completely, fully, immutably justified.

 

“Whom he justified those he also glorified.”

 

            I cannot say much about this yet, because I do not yet know much about it. I hope to know more soon. However, Of this much I am certain - Glorification is exactly the opposite of condemnation! God removed the guilt of sin from us in justification He broke the reigning power of sin in us in effectual calling. Soon, he shall deliver us from the presence, influence, and being of sin, and from all the evil consequences of it in perfect, complete glorification.

Don Fortner