^“For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son so that his Son would be the firstborn^[a] among many brothers and sisters.” Romans 8:29 NLT 

Footsteps #349. The word ‘for’ in v29 takes us back to Romans 8:28, in which we read that “God causes all things to work together for good to those that love God” (NASB). That text in turn we must interpret in the context of the topic of suffering that begins in verse 17 and in the additional context of the groaning for the end of sin and decay that characterise verses 19-25. 

Then in verses 26 and 27 Paul begins to offer words of encouragement, including the fact that the Holy Spirit makes our prayer life effectual and that God is actively working for the good of His children (verse 28). That pastoral love extends over into verses 29 and 30, in which God tells us that He has known all about us from the beginning. God is outside time. The movement of the earth gives us the week, the movement of the Sun gives us days and years – all created for us. God created time! To Him who is outside time, we are already there, seated in heavenly places (Eph1:3-6). God knows the end from the beginning (Isa.46:10) 

He not only foreknew each of us, but He predestined each to be saved. God “desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:4). Compare Matt. 11:28, John 3:16 and Rev. 22:17). 

The biblical pattern is clear: God offers salvation to all freely, but it is up to each individual to accept the offer. He forces no one. We all have a free will and God will not force our choices. Divine foreknowledge in no way excludes human liberty. Nowhere does Paul suggest that only certain people have been predestined to salvation.  

V29 is pastoral and practical. Paul continues to comfort those “suffering” and “groaning” in their present condition. He assures them that not only is the Spirit with them (vs26, 27), that not only is he actively working on their behalf in each of their troubles, but also that their ultimate salvation rests in His hands. They have nothing to fear in spite of what may have been foreboding circumstances. (Nero’s persecutions are looming.) 

The Lord not only selected them for salvation; He also wants them to be “conformed to the image of His Son”. He desires for each Christian to become more like Jesus. He seeks to re-create Christ’s image in each of His children. If we think of justification as the beginning of personal salvation, growth in holiness is its continuation in each Christian’s life.