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Romans 8:30
Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
Some have referred to the contents of Romans 8:29–30 as “the golden chain of salvation.” This is somewhat confusing in that these five actions of God do not constitute the entire ordo salutis, or order of salvation. These are, in essence, the high points, and Paul has zeroed in on them because they particularly point to God’s ultimate purpose of redeeming a people and making them like Christ. Yesterday we considered the first two links of the chain, foreknowledge and predestination, steps that occurred in eternity past. Now Paul focuses in on more recent divine actions and on the final step in the process.
First, every person whom God foreknows and predestines He also calls, according to Paul. The apostle has in view the “effectual call” of God to sinners. There is a general call, the invitation inherent in the gospel for anyone who hears to repent and turn to Christ (see Matt. 11:28). However, no one naturally responds to that call; it must be accompanied by the effectual call (John 6:44). This divine call, according to Dr. James M. Boice, is “internal, specific, and effectual.” Plus, this call “provides the ability or willingness to respond positively,” for it produces regeneration. By His effectual call, God revives and draws to Himself the sinners He has foreknown and predestined. Second, God justifies everyone so called. As we have seen, this is the judicial act by which God declares sinful people to be just on the basis of Christ’s sinless life and substitutionary death. The effectual call of God produces regeneration in a person, enabling him or her to exercise faith in Christ (faith that is itself God’s gift, Eph. 2:8–9). And it is by this faith that the person is justified. Third, all whom God justifies He also glorifies. As we have seen, this is the final step of the process of redemption, the point at which we finally are made like Christ. Interestingly, though he is writing to yet-unglorified saints, Paul uses the past tense. He does so because the end of the process is so very certain. Having foreknown us, predestined us, called us, and justified us, God certainly will glorify us when the time comes (Phil. 1:6).
These verses form a strong foundation for one of the most comforting doctrines of the Christian faith: the perseverance of the saints. Having been set on the road to glorification, Christians cannot lose their salvation, for the God who saves is the God who preserves.
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
While salvation depends on God’s effectual call, His Word shows that He works through the general call of the gospel. And He gives His people the privilege of extending that call, often using them as the instrument in the call of His elect. Thank Him for this honor and do all you can to expose your unsaved relatives and friends to the gospel.
For Further Study
- Matthew 20:16
- 1 Corinthians 6:11
- Galatians 2:16
- 2 Timothy 1:9
- 1 John 3:2–3