Romans 8:29-30 (KJV)

29. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Paul has stated in verse 28 that God works all things for good to them who are the called according to his purpose. He then proceeds to describe how God calls sinners to Himself.

1. Foreknown
   Some seek to explain this verse by saying "God looked down the corridor of time and saw who would believe in Him and those are the ones he called." This can't be right: The verse says "whom" he foreknew. God did not "foreknow" faith; He "foreknew" people. God has knowledge of all people before they are born, but not all are justified.
   1. Foreknowledge means "to love with an everlasting love."
      "I have loved thee with an everlasting love" (Jeremiah 31:3). God said to Israel, "You only have I known among all the nations" (Amos 3:2). Moses said, "And Adam knew his wife Even and she conceived" (Genesis 4:1). Jesus says in that day, "Depart from me, I never knew you" (Matthew 7:23). God has chosen to love us.
   2. God's everlasting love is independent of our merits.
      God's love is like an artesian spring and wells up inside of Himself and is not drawn out because of our loveable-ness. His love for us is the beginning of all.
2. Predestined
   Simply put, God, in His love for you, has decreed to turn your sinful life around. He could rightfully condemn you because of your sin, but He has another purpose. Your destiny is to become like His own Son. God has decreed this for His people.
3. Called
   1. This is the decree becoming an actual work within us
      The Spirit begins to draw me to a dependence upon God through Jesus Christ. He then regenerates my sinful heart, mind and will. He transforms my life. If you say, "I know Christ," but live like the devil you are lying (I John 2:4-6).
   2. This work of God is progressive here and finalized there!
      "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion" (Philippians 1:6).
      "I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness" (Psalm 17:15).
4. Justified
   We have studied justification throughout Romans. To be justified means we are seen by God, "just as if we never sinned, and just as if we fully obeyed." This truth is a necessary remedy to those beaten and bruised by life's sin and failures. He saves!
5. Glorified
   In Romans 8 Paul has been speaking of "eternal glory" (vs. 11, 17, 18, 23) and now he reminds us of the golden chain that leads us to glory. God loved us with love that rose within His own heart, He determined to conform us to the image of His Son, He sent His Spirit to call us to this life, He justified us through faith, and will glorify us. In our text, all the action verbs of God are PAST TENSE. Because salvation is a work of God, all of God's people shall be saved! The future is the past in God's eyes.