"Called... Glorified."

I feel a genuine sense of peace and gratitude for having received what I ask for the last few days.  May I be present.  May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts bear witness to the presence of the Holy Spirit among us.  As it was in the beginning is now and every shall be.


Romans 8:28-30
28 We know that all things work together for good^* for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. ²⁹For 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.^{* 30}And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.


1) "all things work together for good;" "...conformed to the image of his Son;" "...firstborn within a large family;" "...predestined;" "...called;" "...justified;" "...glorified;"  "those who love God;"


2) Paul really leans into the "chosen" theology here.  Here is where "free will" and "predestination" start to but heads.  Who is "predestined" and who "isn't?"  Here, I can only imagine Paul is being pastoral, not theological.  Haven't we been looking at our own sufferings, the need for the Spirit to intercede with sighs too deep for words because we are simply incapable in our selves to do what is right?  Here, we are reminded that God is already working in us what is right, if we will let God be God in us.  All we have to do is step out of the way.  What does it mean to be one of "those who love God?"  To try to do what is right and true, God's will for us.  If we try to do God's will, God's will be done.  The problems come when God's will proves to be other than our will.  But that's on us again.  I love the last chain of verbs: predestined, called, justified, glorified.


3) To let God be God in us.


"Holy One, assure us that indeed all things work together for good for those who love God, of all traditions, or even absence of tradition.  To genuinely seek justice, love kindness and walk humbly is loving you, predestined, called, justified, and glorified."


Breathprayer: "Called... glorified."