#unbreakable

Romans 8:29–30

“For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.”

A Chain Forged Before You Were Born

If you belong to Jesus, you’re not holding onto a fragile thread, hoping it doesn’t snap.
You’re wrapped in an unbreakable chain that was forged long before you ever breathed your first breath.

Foreknown. Predestined. Called. Justified. Glorified.

Not one of those depends on you.
They were done to you, for you, by Him.
Not one of those can be undone.

I’m not writing as a pastor looking to debate doctrine. I’m just a tired, hungry, spiritually thirsty guy looking for food and rest for my soul.

Foreknown and Predestined — God’s Love Didn’t Start with You

There’s a word here that usually makes people squirm, predestined.

But what if it’s not meant to scare us?
What if it’s not even mainly about argument and categories?
Not Calvin or Arminian?
What if it’s a love story?

“Those whom he foreknew he also predestined…”

A lot of folks explain “foreknowledge” like this: God looked down the tunnel of time, saw who would pick Him, and picked them first.
But that’s not what the Bible says.

Foreknowledge isn’t about God seeing facts.
It’s about God knowing you.
Relational. Personal.
God didn’t look ahead and figure you out. He looked ahead and loved you.

He set His affection on you before you even existed.

“Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world…” (Ephesians 1:4–5)

Charles Spurgeon said it perfectly:

“I believe the doctrine of election because I am quite sure that if God had not chosen me, I should never have chosen Him.”

This kind of love isn’t earned.
It’s not based on your potential.
It’s the Father walking into the orphanage, looking straight at the least impressive, and saying, “That one’s mine.”

You’re loved because He decided to love you. That’s it. That’s everything.

Called — The Voice That Woke You Up

“Those whom he predestined he also called…”

This isn’t just an invitation you were smart enough to accept.
This is Jesus standing at the mouth of your grave and shouting, “Come out!”

Like Lazarus: “Lazarus, come out.” (John 11:43)

Lazarus didn’t negotiate.
He didn’t weigh his options.
He was dead—and then, at the sound of Jesus’ voice, he was alive.

That’s the call.
Not a polite knock on the door of your heart.
Not a whisper you almost missed.
The call of God is the thunder that wakes the dead.

When did you first hear Him?
Not with your ears. With your soul.

That moment wasn’t random.
It was planned from before the world began. It was a part of the chain.

Justified — Declared Innocent, Completely

“Those whom he called he also justified…”

Justification isn’t something you grow into.
You don’t get more justified as you get more holy.

Justification is a verdict. A hammer falls in the courtroom of heaven.
Not guilty. Righteous. Accepted.

“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin…” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Your worst moments went onto Jesus’ record.
His perfect record was stamped onto yours.

And listen—God didn’t justify you because you cleaned up well.
He justified you because Jesus bled out for you.

You can’t add to that. You can’t subtract from it.
The gavel in heaven already fell. The decision was made.

You’re in.

Glorified — The Future Is Already Written

“Those whom he justified he also glorified…”

Past tense. Not “will glorify.” — Glorified.

In God’s eyes, your future is already so certain, it’s as good as done.

“He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion…” (Philippians 1:6)

You may feel like a mess right now, you might even be a mess right now!
You might wonder if you’ll ever get it together.

But if you’re in Christ, your story is already finished—and the last chapter has you standing glorified, shining like Him, finally and forever free.

The trial you’re in… the struggle, it’s real.
BUT, it’s not the end.

This Chain Cannot Break

Every link in this salvation chain—foreknown, predestined, called, justified, glorified—
is held together by His strength, not yours.

You didn’t make it.
You can’t break it.
You’re caught up in something bigger, older, tru-er and stronger than you’ll ever be.

You didn’t earn this.
You can’t mess it up.
You’re His.

Do Something:
— Rest. Sit still for five minutes today. Don’t do anything. Just sit in the truth that you’re fully and forever safe.
— Write it out. Grab a piece of paper. Write down the five links: Foreknown. Predestined. Called. Justified. Glorified. Circle the one you have the hardest time believing. Then find a verse to preach to your own heart.
— Pray some gratitude prayers. Not to impress God. Not to earn anything.
Just to say thank you for everything that’s already yours because of Jesus!

He’s got you. He’s had you all along.
And He’s not letting go.