Useful Bible Studies > Romans Commentary > chapter 8
God’s plan for his people was not something that he developed quickly, as a reaction to changing circumstances. In his wisdom, he decided upon it long in advance - in fact, before he even created the world (1 Corinthians 2:7; Ephesians 1:4). So, even before people first chose not to obey God, God had already decided upon the remedy.
For many ages in the world’s history, people did not know God’s plan (Colossians 1:25-27). However, God began to show his plan to the prophets (holy men) who wrote the Bible (1 Peter 1:10-12). Today, that plan is clear to God’s people (1 Corinthians 2:6-10), although even they cannot understand it fully yet (1 Corinthians 13:12; 1 John 3:2).
God’s people know that God will carry out all his promises. So, they know that he has the most wonderful plans for the future (Revelation 21:1-5). His plan is that his people will live always with him, with the full rights of sons in his family (8:18-23).
In that family, Christ has the first and most important place (Mark 1:7-11). He has always been the Son of God (John 1:1-4; John 1:14). God’s wonderful plan is that, in God’s family, Christ will have many brothers (Hebrews 2:11-13). They are the people from every nation who have placed their trust in him. Formerly, they were not members of God’s family (1 Peter 2:9-10). In fact, by their evil deeds, they had made themselves God’s enemies. However, God forgave them because of Christ’s death for them, when they received Christ into their lives (Romans 5:6-10; John 1:12). He has accepted them as his people; and when Christ establishes his rule over all things, God will adopt them fully into his family (8:23).
Next part: How God prepares people to receive great honour (Romans 8:30)
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© 2022, Keith Simons.