Useful Bible Studies > Romans Commentary > chapter 8
When a king wishes to give someone a great honour, that does not happen simply by chance. There is a proper process that the king and his officials will follow.
Firstly, it is necessary for the king to choose the person who will receive the honour. Then he invites that person to accept the honour. Finally, before he gives the actual honour, it is necessary to prepare the person to receive it.
In the Bible’s history books, we can find examples of this process. So, in Esther chapter 6, Haman could not receive the honour because the king had not chosen him to receive it. In 2 Samuel 19:31-37, King David invited Barzillai to receive an honour, but Barzillai refused it.
God has chosen to give the most wonderful honour to people who were formerly his enemies (2 Corinthians 4:17; Romans 5:6-10; 1 Peter 2:9-10). They could not do anything to give themselves a right relationship with God so he has done everything for them (Psalm 40:1-3; Psalm 62:1-8).
He chose them (Ephesians 1:11); and he invited them (Isaiah 55:1-7; Matthew 11:28-30; Luke 14:15-24). By the death of Christ, he forgave their evil deeds, and he continues to work powerfully in their lives (Romans 5:18-19; Philippians 1:6). His purpose is to make them like Christ in their character and attitudes, their desires and hopes (Romans 8:29; Philippians 2:5; 1 John 3:2). Only then will they be ready to receive the honour that God will adopt them fully as his children (8:23). That will happen at the end of the present age. It will bring about the beginning of the new, perfect age, when God will live with his people (Revelation 21:1-7). At that time, God will make right everything that is wrong in our present world. That new age will never end.
Next part: If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)
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© 2022, Keith Simons.