Romans 8:29

For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren: "For" -connects with verse 28. Here is the ground of assurance for the statement made in the previous verse, that 'all things work together for good to those that love God'.

"Whom he foreknew, he also foreordained" -this isn't predestination in the sense of 'specific' individuals were predestined, rather God chose beforehand the place or realm of salvation ('in Christ'- Ephesians 1:4 'in Him') and what such people that chose to enter into this union would be called ('sons'- Ephesians 1:5); what type of service God wanted them to perform (Ephesians 2:10); and what type of 'character' they would have, i.e. 'conformed to the image of his Son' (Colossians 3:10)

God did know ahead of time where salvation would be placed, what it's terms of admission would be, what the saved would be called, what the saved would be involved in, and what type of character the saved would demonstrate. But as to specifically who would end up saved, that was left up to free-will choice. When one becomes. Christian he or she becomes part of. 'foreknown' relationship. Therefore, in this new relationship that. have chosen,. know that everything that happens can work for my good, because what God wants from me, is conformity to the image of His Son Jesus (Ephesians 4:23; Ephesians 4:32; Ephesians 5:1); therefore everything that happens in my life has been allowed to happen (by God) and that can be used for spiritual good. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

"to be conformed" -with an inner and essential conformity (Vincent p. 96); 'Moulded into the image of his Son' (Knox). Inward and not merely superficial conformity (Robertson p. 377).

"image of his Son" -1504. eikon i-kone'; from 1503;. likeness, i.e. (literally) statue, profile, or (figuratively) representation, resemblance: -image.

The "class" of people predestined, were those that would choose to want to "look like God's Son", and not the world (Romans 12:2). God has no place in His glorious plan for people that don't want to pattern their lives after Jesus Christ! (1 Corinthians 11:1) Right here, predestination of the Calvinistic brand is shown to be false. For according to that teaching, God predestined people for salvation, regardless of how they would live or the choices they would make.

"that he might be the firstborn" -Christ is the firstborn (Colossians 1:15). The word 'firstborn' stresses eminence rather than 'first in time'. (Colossians 1:18)

"among many brethren" -i.e. us, Christians (Hebrews 2:11). This phrase places Christ, among mankind. Without surrendering His essence (Godhood/Divine Nature), Christ took his place among the 'creatures' (1 Peter 2:5 ff), he shared with us the experience of living as. man (Hebrews 4:15), even to the point of sharing the experience of death. (1 Peter 2:8) "He took upon himself our limitations and fought the battle against sin with the weapons we had at our disposal (Matthew 4:1) and conquered sin. He has shown himself to be worthy to be our Lord. In his 'weakness' or his strength he has shown us he is worthy. He is no spectator. Christ is firmly identified with us' (McGuiggan p. 262)

Such. person, DESERVES TO BE IMITATED! Anyone that would ask the question, 'Why do. need to follow Jesus?' Is in desperate need of teaching about Jesus!