A key aspect of God’s care: No Chance or Likelihood (Part Four)

Paul teaches, “And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified” (Romans 8:30). This verse counters the idea of random happenings, assuring believers that God has a plan and is in control. The care of our lives aren’t left to chance, but are guided by a good, caring, sovereign God who works for the benefit of His children. Notice the tense of the word “glorified” is past, not present or future. Why is that? We know that our glorification is future. The word “glorified” in Romans 8:30 is in the past tense to emphasize the absolute certainty and completeness of God's salvation plan, even though future glorification is still a hope! Paul is showing that what God starts (calling, justifying) He will finish (glorifying), making it a settled reality from God's eternal perspective, not just a future event. The use of the past tense signifies that God's work is finished, even if it hasn't fully manifested in our experience yet.

Dr. Robert L. Taylor, Th.D., spiritually gifted Bible teacher & expositor