Conformed to the Image of His Son

Romans 8:29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

The Doctrine of Predestination or Devine Election, has been so twisted and made so confusing when it was intended to be something that would leave us with great peace.

Notice the order given in these verses. 1st is GOD'S foreknowledge HE already knows what is going to happen, HE knows your end.2nd is predestination because GOD already knows HE can predestine.
Like watching a rerun, you already know the end.

From a heavenly prospective this is simple. From and earthly prospective this raises all kinds of questions.

Predestination is something GOD does, it’s HIS part. It is not something that should allow us to rest and think my life “IN” Jesus is a done deal. Neither you nor I know our finish.

Every time the Bible speaks on the subject it shows GOD predestined, so that some work might be done in the life of the one predestined.

Here is Romans that work is one of being Conformed to the image of His Son. That is no easy task but if we will submit to it, by denying self, picking up our cross daily and following JESUS it will happen.

In Ephesians. When Paul speaks on predestination It also says, Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them

In 1 Peter. It says, 1 Peter 1:22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,

Understand predestination is something GOD can do from heaven, not something we can claim and then ignore the rest of what the bible says.

Enough on predestination our part in this verse was to Conformed to the image of His Son. This is what GOD sent the His Son into our lives to do.
Conformed means having the same form as another, similar, being like JESUS.

Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Prove by learning to do, correcting when wrong, pressing for HIS will.

Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

Work out by allowing GOD’S will to become yours.

Titus 2:14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

Part of the work of the Holy Spirit in our life, is to get us busy being like JESUS.

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Rest in God

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Another wonderful truth to those who will live by faith. I can rest in GOD not only accomplishing HIS will but in GOD causing things to work out for the good no matter how bad a particular thing may seem.

ONLY GOD CAN MAKE THIS PROMISE.

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Purpose of Prayer

Romans 8:27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

As I pray in the Spirit, I have a wonderful peace if I will continue in faith believing the Spirit is praying perfectly because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

That folks is the purpose of prayer, to accomplish GOD'S will. Don't believe those false teachers who claim you need to just have faith and GOD will do it.

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The Spirit Himself Makes Intercession

Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

This groaning is one of the ways a person prays in the Spirit.

In Jude 15:20 we are told to pray in the Spirit. Scripturally speaking this would also refer to praying in tongues. As mentioned in Acts.2, 1 Cor.12-14

Paul uses this verse as an illustration to living in hope or faith, whatever you want to call it.Just like we wait and hope for JESUS to come and redeem us.

That faith is the same as when we groan in the Spirit because we don't know what to pray.So in vs.22 all of creation is groaning, vs.23 we as Christains's are groaning and here the Spirit groans within us.

Groan's = to sigh, murmur, pray inaudibly:--with grief,

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Patiently Cheerfully Enduring

Romans 8:25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

We eagerly await GOD'S perfect timing by persevering = patiently cheerfully enduring.

Prior to the house closing isn’t their an anxiousness or hopeful excitement????
THAT’S HOW Born Aagain Christain’s living by faith SHOULD LIVE IN THIS LIFE.

If we’re not excited about GOD, then our faith doesn’t appear to be that important to us… …

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We Were Saved In This Hope

Romans 8:24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?

If you where going to buy a house you hope the deal goes through. ( loan is approved, contract signed, escrow closes...) Once you own the house you don't hope for it any more, hope is over because your in.

We are saved by faith or hope in JESUS to redeem these bodies.

Now, if we see that this is done we are no longer living in hope because seeing it would mean it's already done, and why would someone hope in what they already see as having happened.

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Come Quickly LORD JESUS

Romans 8:23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.

We too long to be with JESUS, and see things restored in proper balance. Which will not happen until the redemption of our body.This is what the terms "children of GOD and sons of GOD means in vs.'s 19 & 21.

This is the feeling we have when you say, "Come quickly LORD JESUS" or "take me home LORD".

When you long for the wrong that takes place in this life to end.
When you long for the hurts and the pains to be over.... ... ...When your anxious about JESUS return.

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Balance of Nature is Off

Romans 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.

The entire balance of nature is thrown off and longs to be restored.

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Creation Itself Will Also Be Delivered

Romans 8:21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

It's not just people who will be set free and benefit when GOD restores things but all plants an animals. The entire planet is tilted because of sin but someday GOD will restore it back to it’s proper balance.

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Creation Was Subjected to Futility

Romans 8:20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope;

Prior to sin things where complete, there was a balance to nature, but now because of sin the entire environment is thrown off kilter.

It is not just me who's waiting, but all creation, because creation is incomplete. Creation was subjected to futility = man is now made incomplete. GOD deliberately left parts out. The main part being the need to have union with GOD or to understand our origin and destiny.

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Even Creation Has This Prospective

Romans 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.

While I’m waiting there should be some great expectations!! AS I PUT MY FAITH AND TRUST IN GOD.

Even creation has this prospective. Because the sufferings of this life are not worthy to be compared with the glory that awaits, I eagerly await being with JESUS.


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Life "IN" Christ

Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us

Paul is explaining about life “in” Christ JESUS. Writing about how wonderful it can be to live in the Spirit by faith rather then in the flesh by sight.

Someday I will be with HIM and nothing in this life will compare with the glory that awaits us when we are there.

As we learn to live in the Spirit our focus & priorities change from ourselves and this life, to GOD and eternity.

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