Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Anyone who is familiar with this Bible will not be shocked or surprised to read here that God determines things beforehand. This text is not a new revelation. Throughout the scriptures we find God revealed as the One Who determines, rules and brings to pass all things.

Anyone who is, in the least, familiar with man, will shout with joy and praise unto God that He has decided to make some sinners like His Son. The word predestinate involves determining, but also decision beforehand. I like this word decision in the definition because it puts perspective upon this matter for pathetic man, who makes so much of his own decisions.

Man has salvation being determined by man’s decision, pure and simple. According to the gospel of free-will, man deifying, false religion, a sinner’s eternal destiny is determined by the decision of each individual sinner. The scriptures simply teach the opposite. Namely, that a sinner’s eternal destiny is determined by the decision of God. You see, before you ever did anything, or decided anything, or were even formed in your mother’s belly, God decided whether or not He would save you, whether or not He would conform you to the image of His Son, whether you would be a vessel unto honor, or a vessel unto dishonor (Rom 9:21).

If He decided not to conform you to the image of His Son, then He did the right thing. If God decided to punish you forever in Hell because of your sin against Him, justice is done. If God decided to save you, to redeem you by the precious blood of His son, to clothe you in the spotless righteousness of the sinner’s Representative, the Lord Jesus Christ, then you will praise Him forever, for His great mercy.

Either way, justice is done, because the just punishment for those who are predestinated, was poured out upon Christ Jesus, their Substitute. Isaiah 53:5 . . . he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.