Whip the Devil with the Golden Chain

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. (Romans 8:29–30)

Foreknew <=> Predestined <=> Called <=> Justified <=> Glorified.

These five words capture the drama of redemption. The salvation God gives is all-encompassing—we are cocooned into the grace of God from eternity past to eternity future. Each link is an act of God to bring us into his grace, keep us in his grace, and bring us into eternal life on the New Earth. Grace upon grace.

Grasping the Chain

Let’s think about these links that make up the Golden Chain and how we can use them in our spiritual lives.

Link 1: “Those whom he foreknew” is God’s eternal love

Foreknowing isn't about what God knew but whom God loved. God is the first person to love us. God loved us before the foundation of the worl…