Believers were predestined to be saved, even before the foundations of this world were set.
God is Sovereign
God has absolute sovereignty. He is free to do as He sees fit. To predestined one to a life with Him is an absolute FREE gift of his Grace--even though we don't deserve it--He gives us the gift of salvation. It is all God's doing and has nothing to do with us.
In him (Jesus Christ) we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,
The elect--at some point in their lives choose to receive this gift of Grace and through it, choose to live their lives before the Lord, doing as he commands, often stumbling, often repenting of their sin and starting anew.
A Mystery Accepted By Faith
This is a concept is hard to fathom without spiritual eyes and ears and is even harder to explain. I don't pretend to be able to adequately give this word the justice it deserves. It is a mystery that I accept, by Faith. God predestines those to be saved from their sin in a mysterious kind of way. I don't know why some are predestined and some are not. But, it is clear there is a choosing process which God undertook.
Free Will to Choose
But, mankind has a free will and we can see that, even though we are so predestined for heaven, it doesn't mean that all will receive the same rewards.
Some way, somehow, we gain entry into the kingdom of God. I for one, do not believe that this is something that is reversible. God has made up His mind about us.
Those so predestined by this grace can-- their own choosing-- abuse this gift of grace and sin willfully. I also believe that one who is so chosen has it in his or her heart, to turn from their sin and turn back to God. Only God knows His chosen ones. It's not for us to judge. I do believe it is possible to discern true followers of Christ from nominal Christians.
Sin is a word we don't hear very often these days. It is out of fashion. However, I know from my own life, sin is real.
Are you a predestined one?
Do you try to do your best to follow Christ, obey his commands? Do you acknowledge your sin? do you Confess it ( either to an accountability partner or Directly to God) admitting out loud you sins? Do you receive the cleansing of you sin, by the power of the shed blood of Jesus? Do you forgive yourself? Do you forgive others, readily?
We all sin. Jesus said: "there is no one perfect, no not one." Because you think you are predestined and that you can live like Hell on monday is dangerous to your eternal health.Because we think we are a part of the elect, doesn't mean we are without sin.
"If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us. (1John 1:10)
This is why it is necessary to start each day with a clean slate.
1 John 1: 9 says: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
When we do so, we lift the burden of guilt and condemnation for our minds. We are forgiven and we begin anew with joy and a new resolve.
"In the case of the believer who has the witness in himself, this doctrine (predestination) at once deepens his humility and elevates his confidence to the full assurance of hope" ( Charles Hodge, Theologian)
Somehow, God will work all things together for the good of those who love Him--and he knew all of this before the foundation of the world.
0 comments:
Post a Comment