Inseparable Redemption

“And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.” -Romans 8:30

Every part our redemption in Christ is to be understood as inseparable. Just as those whom God foreknew to be his adopted sons, he also predetermined them to be conformed to Christ, and he further called them to this destiny. It is helpful to remember also that this use of predestination does not refer to election but rather to the predetermined purpose of God that his adopted sons proceed to their destiny in the same manner as Christ proceeded to his. In other words, we are to bear the cross in this life as Christ did. We are to be humbled that we might be lifted up.

This is the mind of Christ Paul exhorts the Philippians to adopt:

“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but 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 work for his good pleasure.” -Philippians 2:5–13

Those whom God has called to this destiny have also been justified, meaning they have received a gratuitous imputation of his righteousness, to the end that they too will be lifted up from bearing the cross of death and be glorified in resurrection to Christ’s eternal kingdom.

All of this reminds us that while we are in this body on this earth suffering in our weakness and infirmities, all of it is part of God’s plan toward our destiny of being conformed to the image of his son, Jesus Christ, to the end that we will be eternally accepted in the beloved. 

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.” -Ephesians 1:3–6