Romans 8:29-30 is called The Order of Salvation (Ordo Salutis), as well as the Golden Chain of Redemption (terms not specifically in Scripture). Textually, these two verses are Paul’s logical explanation of why ‘all things work together for those who are called according to His purpose’ (Rom 8:28). Let’s take a look:
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (v. 28)
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.” – (vv. 29-30)
Why does everything that happens to us work together for those who love God and are called according to His purpose? Because God determined in eternity past to accomplish certain things on behalf of those who would come to believe in, trust, and love His Son. We just need to read all three verses (vv. 28-30) and not just quote v. 28. The why is in the text – that little preposition ‘for’ is key.
For those He foreknew would become His children, that were ‘called according to His purpose’:
- He predestined.
- He called.
- He justified.
- He glorified.
Without getting into a debate about links in a chain (not the intent here), we know from the text, that God (He) accomplished four things. Note the past tense, it’s important.
Looking at the ‘fabulous four’ things that God did, can we apply a sense of human ‘our time’ ? While God accomplished certain things in eternity past, do any of the ‘fab four’ actually occur in ‘our time’ – during our temporal lifetimes?
We suggest that while God’s choosing (predestining) those who would become His people, for His glory, happened before our world was created (read Eph 1-2), and that our glorification will happen at the resurrection of believers, ‘calling’ and ‘justification’ occur in ‘our time’. We who who hear the gospel and believe in the Son ‘experience’ the call of God and are ‘justified’ before God, because of Christ’s righteousness, from the moment we believe and trust in Christ.
Food for thought………..
The Battle Cry 
Here’s an Ordo Salutis question that I can’t find addressed in theological literature. Does forgiveness precede repentance or does repentance precede forgiveness? The implications are huge, since we are told to forgive as we’ve been forgiven. Perhaps that’s why most theologians seem to have missed asking let alone answering this question.
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Excellent question, Bruce! Guess I need to take a shot at it!
It depends, I think on whether we are talking about repentance that ‘leads’ to belief and salvation, or other situations where wrong has been done.
We find at least specific instances of ‘repent’ being the ‘first word’ of a gospel message – John the Baptist, Jesus’ beginning in ministry and the answer of Peter and John to the crowd at Pentecost.
A heart is regenerated and able to ‘hear’ the gospel (Lydia) the message is heard, the sinner encounters his/her sin, repents, and is forgiven and born of the Spirit.
As humans who are wronged, we are also taught to forgive 70 x 7, indicating forgiving someonw who is not necessarily repentant for having wronged us.
You could also see a ‘somewhere in eternity past’ aspect to God’s forgiveness, if we believe that God sovereignly chose those whom would be among those ‘the Father would give to the Son’ and then draw them effectually to the foot of the Cross.
So I guess the answer depends on the perspective of the question.
Great question!
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