But there's more to the text. Many of us stop at verse 28. But verses 29-30 explain why God fulfills verse 28, and how he does so in our lives today. He works "according to his purpose" (v.28b). What is this purpose? (v. 29)

"Those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers" (v. 29). God wants us to be like Jesus. He wants us to be "conformed" (to be formed with or molded) into his "likeness," his appearance and character.

We cannot actually "be" Christ in this fallen world. We are not sinless and perfect, divine in every way. But we can act like Jesus. We can think like him. We can represent him. We can be "Christians," "little Christs."

This is God's purpose for us all: "we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit" (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Our heavenly Father wants us to look like Jesus in the way we live, the words we speak, the decisions we make, the witness we give to the unbelieving world which surrounds us. This is our Father's highest purpose and hope for the human race. This is his purpose for every one of us today (v. 30).

He "predestined" this for us, planning this purpose for us before time began. Thus he "called" us to himself as his Spirit convicted us of our sins and led us to faith in Christ. He "justified" us by cleansing us from our sins. One day he will "glorify" us in heaven. So that we will be like Jesus forever.

Why should we want this purpose for ourselves? Being like Jesus is not an ambition the world rewards or even recognizes. This is no path to career advancement or social status.

Why cooperate with God in this way?

Because this is the best purpose your life could know. If someone sacrificed his son for you, you'd believe that he loved you and had your best interest at heart, wouldn't you? Your Father did just that. Now, "how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" (v. 32).

Nothing can separate you from God's love for you (vs. 35-39). If he says this is your life's best purpose, it's because it's true.

Imagine being like Jesus in every dimension of your life:

Imagine living above bitterness and anger when you are hurt: "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34).

Imagine living in victory over sin and temptation: "we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin" (Hebrews 4:15).

Imagine walking in your Father's perfect will for every day: "Not my will but yours be done" (Luke 22:42).

Imagine being used by God to heal the sick, comfort the hurting, and bless the world: "Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people" (Matthew 4:23).

Imagine being Christ to your world--that's your Father's purpose for your life.

And know that he is working through all things in your life right now to accomplish precisely this purpose.

He is redeeming suffering to help you learn to trust him more. He is redeeming slander and gossip to help you learn to forgive and bless. He is redeeming loneliness to help you depend on his presence. He is redeeming despair and hopelessness to help you find your hope in him. He is redeeming guilt to help you find his forgiveness. He is redeeming fear to help you find his peace. He is redeeming grief to help you find his comfort.

He is using hard places to make holy people.