Introduction
Romans 8:30 is a verse that can be understood in a variety of ways. On the one hand, the world highlights God’s connection to humanity. On the other hand, the interpretation can align with the idea that God’s plan concerning people was to inspire them to take the path of following him. However, on the other hand, the verse may relate to God’s plan to make people resemble the Messiah hence, be predestined to be like Jesus. Multiple meanings can be attributed to this particular verse. In this paper, Romans 8:30 will be highlighted in relation to the message of predestination of men rather than a path that God has carved out for humans to follow.
Background
In order for the verse to be understood, it is important to provide context to the meaning of the words. It is stated that “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters” (New International Version, 2011, Romans 8:29). This is the verse that is followed by Romans 8:30, stating, “And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified” (New International Version, 2011).
Considering the two verses in the context in which they are read together, the meaning of the word “predestined” becomes clearer. Namely, it is implied that predestination correlates with God’s desire to make humans resemble Jesus. This was the plan that, without interfering with free will, influences people’s behavior and generates the potential to turn to faith. The quality of being predestined implies that humans were initially designed to be similar to Jesus, and God’s plan was followed through even before Jesus was on earth.
Arguments Against Predestined Path
As mentioned prior, the message of the verse can be interpreted in two main versions. On the other hand, predestination is linked to humans being predestined to resemble Jesus, while on the other hand, the notion is to be understood in correlation with the path of religion. However, it is essential to highlight the importance of a free will, which would contradict the idea of a predestined plan. Free will is the term that highlights people’s ability to act independently and the fact that life is not based on faith but rather on individual decisions that each human has the power to make.
Free will is one of the main explanations for human behavior throughout the Bible. For example, it is stated, “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love (New International Version, 2011, Galatians 5:13).
From this verse, it is clear that God gave people the ability to choose how to spend their lives. Thus, the idea that people were predestined to follow Jesus’s teachings would contradict the very notion of free will. Needless to say, God implies that the path is offered, and there is a calling for following this direction through religion and devotion to teachings. However, to state that the plan is designed to be followed on an intrinsic level aligns with the idea that people do not have a choice but are rather prone to turning to prayer.
The Predestination of Resemblance with Jesus
As mentioned prior, predestination is related to the human destiny to resemble God. The verse portraying God’s desire concerning the creation of humankind mentions the following “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness” (New International Version, 2011, Genesis 1:26). The verse highlights that humans intrinsically have the potential to turn to Christ and go positive deeds as they are created in the image of God. Predestination to resemble God or Jesus, who is God in a human form, does not contradict the previously highlighted term of free will. Instead, people are predestined to have the skills and opportunities to be God-like in how they choose to live their life.
At the same time, choosing to do so or selecting another path is a decision that God does not directly impact, and each individual has the power to shape their life. Moreover, the verse mentions the terms being called and justified, which is another explanation of predestination. Being called relates to God’s message and accepting it by fulfilling his purpose. Thus, God makes human beings capable of certain things, sends the message of the importance of being said things, and glorifies or blesses individuals who follow said path.
Conclusion
Predestination relates to the phenomenon of being created to resemble Jesus. This implies that human beings have the capabilities to fulfill God’s purpose, yet the choice to do so depends on the decision of each individual. God has designed humans to have these capabilities, calls them to fulfill his purpose through faith, and blesses those who do. However, the path is not predestined, but rather, the choice to follow said plan or not is. As a result, the verses highlight that God created favorable conditions while human is to decide whether to use them or not.
Reference
New International Version. (2011). Biblica Inc.