Foreknew vs Freewill

Because whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, for Him to be the firstborn among many brothers. But whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; but whom He justified, He also glorified.
– Romans 8:28-30

Destiny and free will—one seems to cancel out the other. If God predestined us from the beginning, do we really have a choice? But if we have total free will, are we truly under His plan?

Let’s break it down.

Foreknew means to know beforehand. Jeremiah 1:5 echoes this: “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.”

Predestined means to ordain or determine before. God, existing outside of time, already knows who will respond to His call.

Called is an invitation. It’s up to us to answer. As Jesus said in Matthew 22:14: “Many are called, but few are chosen.” Many hear the call, but few are set apart for a greater purpose.

God knows every decision we’ll ever make. He sees who will hear His voice and come to Him.

So today, if you hear His summon—respond with: “Here I am, Lord.”