Questions Answered
Conceptual Questions
- Question: “All things work together for good.” Wright emphasizes that this doesn’t mean all things are inherently good, but that God orchestrates them for good. How does this understanding shift your perspective on suffering and hardship? Provide examples from your own experience or from the experiences of others.
- Detailed Answer: Wright’s interpretation highlights God’s sovereign control over even the most difficult circumstances. It’s not a naive optimism that denies the reality of pain, but a profound trust in God’s ability to redeem and repurpose suffering. This shifts our perspective from viewing hardship as meaningless or random to seeing it as potentially part of God’s larger, redemptive plan. For example, a person who experiences job loss might find a new career path that aligns more closely with their calling. A difficult relationship might lead to personal growth and a deeper understanding of God’s grace. The key is recognizing that God is not the author of evil, but he is the redeemer of it. He takes the bad and works it for good.
- Question: “Foreknew” as relational, not merely intellectual. Wright interprets “foreknew” as a covenantal, loving act. How does this relational understanding of God’s foreknowledge differ from a purely intellectual one, and how does it affect our understanding of predestination?
- Detailed Answer: A purely intellectual understanding of foreknowledge suggests God simply possesses prior information about future events. Wright, however, emphasizes that “foreknew” (prognōsis) implies a prior loving relationship, a setting of affection. It’s more akin to “foreloved.” This relational understanding transforms predestination from a cold, deterministic concept to a loving, purposeful act. God doesn’t just choose people based on what he knows they’ll do; he chooses them based on his loving intent. It highlights God’s initiative and love in salvation. Predestination is then understood as God’s loving plan to conform those he loves to the image of his son.
- Question: The “golden chain” of salvation. Wright highlights the interconnectedness of foreknowledge, predestination, calling, justification, and glorification. How does understanding this sequence of God’s actions contribute to a sense of security and assurance in your faith?
- Detailed Answer: The “golden chain” illustrates the unbreakable sequence of God’s saving work. Each link is connected, demonstrating the certainty of God’s plan. If God foreknew and predestined, he will also call, justify, and glorify. This provides a sense of security because it emphasizes God’s faithfulness and the irreversibility of his actions. It’s not based on our fluctuating feelings or performance, but on God’s unwavering character. It assures us that God’s plan, once set in motion, will reach its intended conclusion.
- Question: “Conformed to the image of his Son.” Wright emphasizes this as the ultimate goal of God’s saving work. What does it mean to be conformed to the image of Christ, and how does this process unfold in the life of a believer?
- Detailed Answer: To be conformed to the image of Christ means to become more like him in character, attitude, and behavior. It’s a progressive transformation that involves both inward and outward change. It’s not just about moral improvement, but about reflecting Christ’s love, humility, and obedience. This process unfolds through the work of the Holy Spirit, through our engagement with Scripture, through prayer, and through our participation in the body of Christ. It involves both sanctification and glorification, both present change, and future perfection.
- Question: Glorification as a guaranteed future reality. Wright explains that glorification is presented as a past reality because it’s so certain. How does this understanding of glorification impact your hope for the future and your present experience of faith?
- Detailed Answer: Seeing glorification as a guaranteed future reality, spoken of as though it has already happened, provides a powerful hope that anchors us in the present. It assures us that our ultimate destiny is secure in Christ. This hope transforms our present experience of faith by giving us perspective in the midst of trials and suffering. It allows us to live with confidence, knowing that our present struggles are temporary and that a glorious future awaits us. This hope also fuels our desire to live a life that honors God, knowing that we will one day fully reflect his glory.
Developing Intimacy With Jesus
- Question: God’s loving foreknowledge. How does the idea that God “foreknew” you in a relational, loving way affect your sense of belonging and intimacy with Him? How can you cultivate a deeper awareness of this loving connection in your daily life?
- Detailed Answer: Knowing that God’s foreknowledge is relational creates a profound sense of belonging and intimacy. It means we are not just a number in God’s plan, but a beloved individual whom he has set his affection upon. Cultivating this awareness involves spending time in prayer, reflecting on God’s love, and meditating on Scripture. We can also practice gratitude, thanking God for his love and presence in our lives.
- Question: Being conformed to Christ’s image. How does meditating on the goal of being conformed to Christ’s image shape your desires and priorities? What practical steps can you take to grow in Christlikeness?
- Detailed Answer: Meditating on this goal shifts our focus from worldly desires to spiritual priorities. It prompts us to ask, “How can I reflect Christ’s character in my thoughts, words, and actions?” Practical steps include studying Christ’s life, praying for the Holy Spirit’s guidance, practicing humility and forgiveness, and serving others.
- Question: God’s effectual calling. Reflect on your own calling to faith. How has God’s powerful call drawn you closer to Him? How can you respond more fully to this call in your daily life?
- Detailed Answer: Reflecting on our calling helps us appreciate God’s initiative in our salvation. It reminds us that we didn’t find God; he found us. We can respond more fully by surrendering to his will, obeying his commands, and living a life that reflects his love and grace. This involves actively participating in the body of Christ, seeking to grow in our faith, and serving others.
- Question: The security of God’s plan. How does the assurance of God’s “golden chain” of salvation (foreknowledge, predestination, calling, justification, glorification) impact your prayer life and your ability to trust God in difficult circumstances?
- Detailed Answer: This assurance fosters a prayer life marked by confidence and trust. We can approach God with boldness, knowing that he is faithful to his promises. It strengthens our ability to trust God in difficult circumstances because we know that he is working all things together for our good. It reminds us that God is in control, even when things seem chaotic.
- Question: Glorification as a present hope. How does the certainty of your future glorification in Christ affect your present relationship with Him? How can you live more fully in the light of this hope, allowing it to deepen your intimacy with Jesus?
- Detailed Answer: The certainty of glorification transforms our present relationship with Christ by infusing it with hope and anticipation. It motivates us to live a life that honors him, knowing that we will one day fully share in his glory. We can live more fully in this hope by setting our minds on things above, cultivating a heavenly perspective, and seeking to reflect Christ’s glory in our daily lives. This involves living lives of holiness, and service.
When Time Allows Reflect on the Posts in Library and Musings
Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Into The Heart of Romans, Home
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post