The plain truth in Romans 8:29 is that God, before the foundation of the world, singled out certain sinners and appointed them unto salvation (II Thessalonians 2:13). This is clear from the concluding words of the verse: “Predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son.” God id not predestinate those whom He foreknew were “conformed”, but on the contrary, those whom He “foreknew”” (i.e. loved and elected) He predestinated “to be conformed.” Their conformity to Christ is not the cause, but the effect of God’s foreknowledge and predestination.”
– Pink, Arthur W.; The Attributes of God; Kindle Edition; page 25