I see what you are saying. I do believe there is a big misunderstanding about salvation. We often times forget that salvation is a 3 part salvation (triune); justification, sanctification, and glorification.
Justification is the act of God declaring us just. God has saved us from the PENALTY of sin, which is hell. This is past tense and settled, DONE! This is the point where we obtain eternal life.
Sanctification is the act of God presently saving us from the POWER of sin. Transforming us into the image of Christ.
Glorification is the act of God, sometime in the future, whereby He will save us from the very presence of sin.
Notice the grammar of Romans 8:29-30. He is the one performing the actions, and those actions are, past tense, done. Those He foreknew (had an relationship with like a husband and wife) He predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son (sanctification). Those He predestined He called, and those He called, He justified, and those He justified He glorified. Each one is past tense, even glorification. Even though glorification is future to us, it has already been settled with God! How much more secure can our salvation be than that! God has already done it. Knowing that, it makes me want to serve Him more and show Him more gratitude for what He has already done. I can serve a God who cares so much about the salvation of my soul that He takes care of it. Do we really think that God is going to leave the salvation of souls up to us? He has taken care of it and it is done!