God's desire: Our conformity to his Son

For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. Romans 8:29-30

God is at work for us in the circumstances of life (v. 28) because God has “destined” to “share the likeness of his Son” As Jesus “learned obedience from what he suffered” (Heb 5:8), we too should expect our share of difficulties in the process of being conformed to his image. God has foreordained that believers be brought into “moral conformity to the likeness of his Son. He wants us to bear a family resemblance to him.

Not only is God’s desire for believers to be conformed to his likeness, he also called, justified, and glorified them. Scripture teaches that glorification awaits our future resurrection (1 John 3:2). Although glorification, as we understand it, is in the future, even now we enjoy a portion of the spiritual benefits of God’s redemptive work on our behalf.