“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 brothers” (vs29).
Jesus’ glory as the first born, or highest ranking among many brothers, is God‘s purpose in all things. Just like Jacob, He has the birthright, blessing, and inheritance - “Let people serve you, and nations bow down to you: be lord over your brethren, and let your mother’s sons bow down to you: cursed be every one that curses you, and blessed be he that blesses you” (Gen 27:29). His GRACE bestows this title of “brothers” upon God’s elect, so that we are joint-heirs with Him. We have done nothing, and yet He‘s given us what He‘s died to give - “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together” (Rom 8:17).
Thus, the sufferings of today aren’t greater than what we have in store - “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us“ (Rom 8:18). We shall see the Son in holy happiness, giving thanks to Him eternally for what He did, saving us from hell by His grace and blood. We suffer here because this world and our flesh is cursed with sin, but we shall praise God forever and enjoy the benefits of His love. We shall be glorified in new bodies that love God faultlessly in the new heaven and earth wherein dwells no pain or sorrow (2 Pet 3:13). But, here, by faith in Christ and the power of the Spirit, we overcome the miseries of today by the expectation of heaven’s joy to come - “For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man sees, why does he yet hope for? But, if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it” (Rom 8:24-25).
He’s given us the Spirit, not only to subdue the flesh by faith, but to subdue the flesh by His secret prayers for us- “Likewise, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (vs26). Thus, we always get what is best for us, and all things work together for our good. God didn’t send His Son to leave salvation to you. He plotted your salvation, gave you the Perfect Savior, and He gave you the Spirit to make sure that you make it in style, receiving the inheritance fully.
The glory of Christ is God’s plan, and He included you in this, saying the Savior isn’t complete, unless you’re presented safe and sound. His church is the “fullness of Him that fills all in all” (Eph 1:23). He is the Head, the Captain, and the King to whom we bow. He is the One responsible for deliverance. But, the King calls us brothers, and He opens the windows of heaven to pour out His love, grace, and to honor His name.
Receive this hope as you wait on Him, and you’ll endure until the end - “And not only [the personified creation], but ourselves also, which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even as we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, that is, the redemption of the body” (Rom 8:23).
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