Romans 8:28 – Called according to His purpose

… for … those … who are called according to the purpose.

In his letters Paul presents himself several times as “called” (Rom.1:1; 1Cor.1:1). Accurate, because it shows exactly how it all started for him. He was on his way to Damascus to persecute the sect of the Nazarenes, but was called from heaven at noon, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” That calling voice changed everything in his life.

But Paul also likes to call his fellow believers “called”. Not everyone who has heard the Gospel is called. Definitely not. In 1 Corinthians 1:23 Paul writes that Christ heralded is a snare to Jews and stupidity to the nations, but to those who are called (regardless of Jew or Greek), Christ is the power and wisdom of God (:24). So “those who are called” are people who have understood the call of the preached Word. Those who are addressed in the heart and therefore believe.

“those who are called” are a select, privileged group. They don’t owe it to themselves that they belong. It is according to God’s purpose. In Ephesians 1:11 Paul writes that we are designated beforehand (predestination), according to God’s purpose. After all, GOD works “in all according to the counsel of his will”. Because in God’s plan no one is excluded!

Delen: