29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
The “He” here is the Lord Jesus. He will, through the resurrection, be glorified along with all those who put their trust in Him. The resurrected Christ is the pattern of God’s purpose for time. It is God’s will that there will be a new people glorified in Christ’s image. In this realm Christians will share in the family prerogatives of the Son of God.
He 2:10, For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
The word “firstborn” brings out ideas such as supremacy and priority. The Son is preeminent among creation. He has eternal distinction among men. Jesus has primacy of rank when it comes to status with God. Christians will share His privilege of being sons in His kingdom.
We understand the word “firstborn” as meaning that Jesus was the first to rise from the dead permanently. Christians follow His resurrection in their ultimate glorification.
PRINCIPLE:
God’s plan for the universe centers on the glory of the Son of God, which Christians will share.
APPLICATION:
God’s purpose for time is that Christians will glorify God by conforming to the image of His Son. Everything about the universe centers on the glory of Jesus Christ. Christians will also share in His glory (Jn 17:22). God will conform us to His glory.
1 Jn 3:2, Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
God is also currently conforming us into the likeness of Christ:
Php 3:10, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,
