Romans 8: Part 9

Life in the Spirit: Life in Holy Spirit

Part 9 Romans 8 vs. 29, 30

For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

He-God

Foreknow-knew you before you existed; prior knowledge of

Predestinate-Destined or determined beforehand

Conformed-to be similar in form or type; agree; to be in agreement or harmony

Image of-to look very much like, “Someone’s image is the idea that other people have of that person”. (https://dictionary.cambridge.org); She’s the spitting image of her father.

God has foreknowledge of people before they even exist. Jeremiah records that God knew and consecrated him before he was born (Jeremiah 1:5). David wrote that God had written all of David’s days in a book, ordaining them before they began (Psalm 139:16). God does indeed predestine certain people (that is, He “determines beforehand,” “ordains,” “decides ahead of time” who will be saved). In Ephesians 1 Paul explains that God the Father chose believers to be in Christ before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4) and predestined believers to adoption as sons of God (Ephesians 1:5).  (www.gotquestions.com)

H.S. “Glory glory glory glory glory glory glory glory. The glory of the Lord”.

As I am working on vs. 29, Holy Spirit started saying Glory. Glory. Glory. Glory. Glory…..The Glory of the Lord. I am crying/weeping under the Presence of God.

Lord show me your glory

Show us Your glory

The glory of the Lord shall be revealed

Pour out your glory

Then came glory

And His glory filled the place

For your glory

Now I’m being led to look for Scott family in Hammond Louisiana (family on my father’s side). (I believe this is dealing with ancestry/inheritance).

I have found that the thing about living our life being led by Holy Spirit is, you may not always be able to connect the dots or see where He is taking you. The point is to learn to listen, follow, obey and trust Holy Spirit. Yes, it may cause you to look off, unstable, unlearned, in error. Just as man looks on the outward appearance but God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). The same way our focus is on pleasing God not people. Life in the Spirit may involve sacrifices. The sacrifices will thrust you into deeper dependence on Holy Spirit.

Sometimes during these moments it’s a call to prayer. Other times it’s a call to just sit with Holy Spirit and enjoy your time together. He will let you know what time it is. We can depend on God.

‘Being led to look for……family’… (family on my father’s side):

• My Father’s family could be that this word is for the family of God–Matthew 12:46 While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. 47 Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.” 48 He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

Romans 8:29 For those whom He foreknew [and loved and chose beforehand], He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son [and ultimately share in His complete sanctification], so that He would be the firstborn [the most beloved and honored] among many believers. AMP

28 We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love him. They are the people he called, because that was his plan. 29 God knew them before he made the world, and he chose them to be like his Son so that Jesus would be the firstborn of many brothers and sisters. 30 God planned for them to be like his Son; and those he planned to be like his Son, he also called; and those he called, he also made right with him; and those he made right, he also glorified. NCV

This Bible engagement with Holy Spirit is a work in motion; unfolding before our eyes.

Reference Scriptures for Romans 8:29:

Ephesians 1:5-He predestined and lovingly planned for us to be adopted to Himself as [His own] children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the kind intention and good pleasure of His will—

Colossians 1:18-He is also the head [the life-source and leader] of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will occupy the first place [He will stand supreme and be preeminent] in everything.

2 Timothy 2:19-Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God [which He has laid] stands [sure and unshaken despite attacks], bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord stand apart from wickedness and withdraw from wrongdoing.”

Hebrews 1:6-And when He again brings the firstborn [highest-ranking Son] into the world, He says, “And all the angels of God are to worship Him.”

1 Peter 1:2-according to the foreknowledge of God the Father by the sanctifying work of the Spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ and to be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace [that special sense of spiritual well-being] be yours in increasing abundance [as you walk closely with God]. (This is so rich)

Notes from Life Application Study Bible

• God’s ultimate goal for us is to make us like Christ (1 John 3:2)
• As we become more and more like him, we discover our true selves, the persons we were created to be
• How can we be conformed to his image?
• By reading and heeding his Word, by studying his life on earth through the Gospels, by spending time in prayer, by being filled with his Spirit, and by doing his work in the world

(Retrieved from biblestudytools.com3/15/2024) that he might be the firstborn among many brethren;

the persons among whom Christ is the firstborn are described by their relation, “brethren”; to one another, being related to the same Father, regenerated by the same grace, taken into the same family, and heirs of the same glory; and to Christ, which relation, as brethren to him, is not merely founded on his incarnation, but in their adoption; and which is evidenced by their regeneration, and doing the will of his Father; an which relation he owns, and is not ashamed of:

they are also described by their number, “many”; for though they are but few, when compared with the world; yet they are many, a large number, considered by themselves; and among these, Christ is the “firstborn”; he is the firstborn of God, the begotten of the Father, he is the first begotten, and as such he is the only begotten; he is the firstborn of Mary, she had none before him, and he is the only one that ever was born in the manner he was; he is the first begotten from the dead, his resurrection is called a begetting, and he was the first in time that rose from the dead by his own power, and to an immortal life, and the first in causality and dignity.

Christ is the firstborn with respect to all creatures in general; he was begotten of the Father before all creatures were; he is the first cause of them all, the governor, basis, and support of them: and he is the firstborn with respect to the saints; who are of the same nature with him, are made partakers of the divine nature, are sons in the same family, though not in the same class of sonship: moreover, this character may regard not so much birth as privilege which belongs to Christ as Mediator; who, as the firstborn had, has the blessing, the government, the priesthood, and the inheritance; all which is owing to, and is one end of divine predestination. (biblestudytools.com)

PLEASE! Please, please, please read 1 Corinthians Chapter 2. Please and thank you.

7 but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the wisdom once hidden [from man, but now revealed to us by God, that wisdom] which God predestined before the ages to our glory [to lift us into the glory of His presence]. 8 None of the rulers of this age recognized and understood this wisdom; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; (1 Cor. 2:7-8 AMP)

Okay, I have to do this, I cannot resist. This word has me so excited I can’t contain myself. Now I can swim in the deep end of the pool but this! Ooooh Jesus! This is like I done ran from the indoor pool to the Belle Isle Beach in the Detroit River, dived in and swimming in the deep right before you get to the orange bouies. My God My God My God.

First Corinthians Chapter 2: KJV—The Spirit gives wisdom

And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. 6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.

Paul’s Reliance upon the Spirit- 2 Corinthians chapter 2 AMP

2 And when I came to you, brothers and sisters, proclaiming to you the [a]testimony of God [concerning salvation through Christ], I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom [no lofty words of eloquence or of philosophy as a Greek orator might do]; 2 for I made the decision to [b]know nothing [that is, to forego philosophical or theological discussions regarding inconsequential things and opinions while] among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified [and the meaning of His redemptive, substitutionary death and His resurrection]. 3 I came to you in [a state of] weakness and fear and great trembling. 4 And my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom [using clever rhetoric], but [they were delivered] in demonstration of the [Holy] Spirit [operating through me] and of [His] power [stirring the minds of the listeners and persuading them], 5 so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom and rhetoric of men, but on the power of God.

6 Yet we do speak wisdom among those spiritually mature [believers who have teachable hearts and a greater understanding]; but [it is a higher] wisdom not [the wisdom] of this present age nor of the rulers and leaders of this age, who are passing away; 7 but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the wisdom once hidden [from man, but now revealed to us by God, that wisdom] which God predestined before the ages to our glory [to lift us into the glory of His presence]. 8 None of the rulers of this age recognized and understood this wisdom; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; 9 but just as it is written [in Scripture],

“Things which the eye has not seen and the ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him [who hold Him in affectionate reverence, who obey Him, and who gratefully recognize the benefits that He has bestowed].”

10 For God has unveiled them and revealed them to us through the [Holy] Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things [diligently], even [sounding and measuring] the [profound] depths of God [the divine counsels and things far beyond human understanding].

11 For what person knows the thoughts and motives of a man except the man’s spirit within him? So also no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the [Holy] Spirit who is from God, so that we may know and understand the [wonderful] things freely given to us by God. 13 We also speak of these things, not in words taught or supplied by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining and interpreting spiritual thoughts with spiritual words [for those being guided by the Holy Spirit].

14 But the natural [unbelieving] man does not accept the things [the teachings and revelations] of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness [absurd and illogical] to him; and he is incapable of understanding them, because they are spiritually discerned and appreciated, [and he is unqualified to judge spiritual matters]. 15 But the spiritual man [the spiritually mature Christian] judges all things [questions, examines and applies what the Holy Spirit reveals], yet is himself judged by no one [the unbeliever cannot judge and understand the believer’s spiritual nature]. 16 For who has known the mind and purposes of the Lord, so as to instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ [to be guided by His thoughts and purposes].

Hallelujah

Hallelujah

Hallelujah

Bless the mighty name of Jesus—Hallelujah

Glory glory glory glory glory

Glory Hallelujah!

30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Somebody needs to hear this: You Are-Called, Justified, Glorified and Holy Spirit said add-Qualified!

And those whom He predestined, He also called; and those whom He called, He also justified [declared free of the guilt of sin]; and those whom He justified, He also glorified [raising them to a heavenly dignity]. AMP

Those who God decided in advance would be conformed to his Son, he also called. Those whom he called, he also made righteous. Those whom he made righteous, he also glorified. CEB

And having chosen us, he called us to come to him; and when we came, he declared us “not guilty,” filled us with Christ’s goodness, gave us right standing with himself, and promised us his glory. TLB

God planned for them to be like his Son; and those he planned to be like his Son, he also called; and those he called, he also made right with him; and those he made right, he also glorified. NCV

And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. NIV

God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity he restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him. After God made that decision of what his children should be like, he followed it up by calling people by name. After he called them by name, he set them on a solid basis with himself. And then, after getting them established, he stayed with them to the end, gloriously completing what he had begun. (The MSG 29-30)

Notes from Life Application Study Bible Romans 8:30

• Some believe these verses mean that before the beginning of the world, God chose certain people to receive his gift of salvation.
• They point to verses like Ephesians 1:11 which says we are “predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.
• Others believe that God foreknew those who would respond to him, and upon those he set his mark (predestined).
• What is clear is that God’s purpose for man was not an afterthought; it was settled before the foundation of the world.
• Mankind is to serve and honor God.
• If you have believed in him, you can rejoice in the fact that God has always known you.
• His love is eternal. His wisdom and power are supreme.
• He will guide and protect you until you one day stand in his presence.