Sunday, July 7, 2024  

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Today's Scripture
Romans 8:26–30

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

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 within a large family. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified. (NRSV)

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Reflection

This passage deals with predestination. As someone who came to the Presbyterian Church in middle age, the concept of predestination seemed to be an anathema to free will. If I thought about predestination at all, I thought of it as that “Presbyterian thing.” In the two decades that I have been part of this fellowship, I have periodically wrestled to make sense of what Paul had to say.

This is what it has come to mean to me as the result of concentrating on Paul’s words as recorded in our text. God is serious about free will, so much so that God is prepared to be disappointed, saddened, and even angered by our behavior at times. We are God’s creation and God knows us intimately. Therefore, God does know what is going on in our lives before we do. The promises that Paul talks about for those he refers to as those God foreknew are available to all of creation who choose — exercising free will — to accept God’s gifts including justification and glory.

My brother and I had a blessed upbringing by parents who channeled their understanding of God’s love in our lives. I am reasonably sure that we never really surprised them. We are two very different people in fundamental ways, and our parents understood, loved, and supported us where each of us was in our own lives at any one time. They did not create us; however, they did mold us and fully knew their work.

When my brother and I had the sense to call on our parents at times of stress or share with them during periods of celebration, their love and support lessened the stress on the one hand and magnified the celebration on the other.

I have the same relationship with God. God’s door is open to justification and glory. It is up to me to walk through it. I don’t even have to walk through it on my own. If asked, God will leadeth me.

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Prayer
Dear Lord, please lead me in your ways. Amen.

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Written by Blake Anderson, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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