BUT IT IS "NOT" A FREE PASS TO ETERNAL LIFE
“God
chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world.”
(Ephesians 1:4 KJV)
*
God CHOSE you to be his very
own. This is the point the relationship with God actually begins. "…You
did not choose me but I chose you….” (John 15:16 ASV).
As said prior, predestination
says God is the “only” one who determines what will or will not happen in “all
things” pertaining to life “... [God, the Holy Spirit] ...chose ...[you] ... in advance, and
he makes everything work out according to his plan...” (Ephesians 1:11 NLT).
The relationship of love starts the moment God chooses you in
the predestined status. It is important for you to know that God choose you; you didn’t choose Him. "…You
did not choose… (God, the Holy Spirit]...” (John 15:16 ASV). "… I chose you….” (John 15:16 ASV). “... [God, the Holy Spirit] ...chose ...[you] ...” (Ephesians 1:11 NLT). "… I have chosen
you….” (John 15:16 KJV).
He chose you with the intention of bestowing
upon you everlasting love, multiple blessings, miraculous mercy, unlimited
favor, amazing grace, and supernatural privileges. "…You did not choose me but I chose you….” (John 15:16 ASV). “…he
FIRST loved us…” (1
John 4:19 ASV). “… [God, the Holy Spirit]…HATH blessed us with ALL spiritual blessings…”
(Ephesians 1:3 KJV). “…WE GIVE you (God, the Holy Spirit) only what
you first gave us! …” (1 Chronicles 29:14 NLT).
He
gave you “…The GIFT of God is eternal life through Jesus
Christ ….” (Romans 6:23 KJV). “…that was [God’s]… plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his GRACE through Christ Jesus…” (2
Timothy 1:9 NLT). “… BY GRACE have ye been saved THROUGH FAITH; and that NOT OF YOURSELVES, IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD; not of works, that no man should glory…”
(Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV).
God choose you. “…in [him] whom also we were made a heritage, having been foreordained according to the
purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his
will...” (Ephesians 1:11).
It is God’s sovereign right to predestine
all things according to His plan; including choosing you to be his very own. “... [God, the Holy
Spirit] ...chose ...[you] ...” (Ephesians
1:11 NLT). "… I chosen you….” (John 15:16 KJV).
“…that was [God’s]… plan
from before the beginning of time—to
show us his GRACE
through Christ Jesus…” (2 Timothy 1:9 NLT).
God is the creator and owner of all things
and people. It is God’s world. “…The earth
is the Lord's, and
the fulness thereof; the
world, and they that dwell therein…”
(Psalm 24:1 KJV). “…for the world is mine,
and the fulness thereof…(Psalm 50:12 KJV). “…Thine, O Lord is the greatness, and the
power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth
is thine…” (1 Chronicles 29:11 KJV).
We cannot reduce everything God does into
a small box of human theoretical knowledge or established human doctrines in
order to satisfy our need to humanly understand or rationalize all of God’s
thoughts and sovereign ways. “…my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than
your thoughts…” (Isaiah 55:8-9 ASV).
Sometimes we just have to trust God and “… lean not upon [our]… own understanding…”
(Proverbs 3:5 KJV). The bible says “…in
all thy getting, get understanding…” However, that kind of understanding
comes by faith (Proverbs 4:7 KJV).
God’s people live by faith or dependence
upon revelation knowledge provided by the indwelling Holy Spirit. God’s people
humbly receive God’s truths “by” faith. “By faith (by
dependence upon the revelation knowledge provided by the indwelling Holy
Spirit) we understand that
the worlds have been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen hath not
been made out of things which appear” (Hebrew 11:3 ASV).
“O the depth of the riches both
of the wisdom and the (revelation) knowledge of God! how unsearchable (past
human knowledge and understanding alone) are his judgments, and his ways past
tracing out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who
hath been his counsellor?” (Romans 11:33-34 ASV).
Again, God has said, “… my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways…..as the heavens
are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than you ways and my thoughts
than your thoughts…” (Isaiah 55:8-9 ASV).
“…GOD IS SPIRIT…”
(John 4:24 KJV). “…THE WORDS [he sent through Jesus] … they
ARE SPIRIT…”
(John 6:63 KJV). “…Thy WORD is [also] truth…” (JOHN 17:17 KJV). “… The Spirit of truth …will guide you into all the truth. …”
(John 16:13 NIV).
“…let the Holy Spirit [HIS
WORDS OF TRUTH] ...guide your lives.
…”
(Galatians 5 NLT). “…the
[HOLY] … Spirit of God dwell in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV). Therefore, “… the Lord your God [THE
INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT]…directs you in the way you should go.”
(Isaiah 48:17). “…So I say, let the [indwelling] Holy Spirit guide your lives. … …” (Galatians 5 NLT).
God promises: “…“I will guide you along the best
pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.…”
(Psalms 32:8 KJV). “…MY WORD … that goeth forth out of my mouth: it SHALL NOT return
unto me void, but it SHALL ACCOMPLISH that which I please, and it SHALL PROSPER in the thing whereto I sent
it…” (Isaiah 55:11 KJV).
“… BY FAITH
(BY DEPENDING UPON THE INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT) we UNDERSTAND
(become AWARE of) …that what we now see (All the workings of the POWER of the
Holy Spirit) did not come from anything that can be seen…” (Hebrews
11 NLT). .“…The
person WITHOUT the [INDWELLING HOLY] Spirit DOES NOT
accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them (or cannot understand
them with human understanding alone) because they are discerned
only through the [indwelling HOLY] Spirit. …” (2
Corinthians 2:12-15 KJV).
God’s standards are lofty, heavenly, and Holy.
God’s ways and thoughts cannot be demoted just to satisfy or justify some selfish
intellectual, human need to understand all “….the [depths] of the riches…of [God’s]….wisdom and … knowledge….”
(Roman 11:33-34). It is not possible and
many of God’s “…ways [are] past tracing
out…”
God’s Word affirms that you were predestined
by God to be one of his chosen or elect people….just like Israel in the Old
Testament. "… I have chosen
you….” (John 15:16 KJV). “But you are a chosen
people,
a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may
declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful
light” (1 Peter 2:9 NIV).
God said about Israel, “For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God: the Lord thy God
hath chosen
thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the
face of the earth” (Deuteronomy
7:6).
The biggest dilemma for this topic (God
choosing or electing YOU) may rest on three views of predestination. First, predestination
(includes salvation’s all-inclusive invitation “to every one that believeth” (Romans 10:4 KJV) = God’s will).
Second, predestination (includes
select election “…he chose us (the elect) in him before the foundation of the world…”
(Ephesians 1:4-5 ASV) = based on God’s will too).
Third,
predestination (includes foreknowledge of “everyone” who would believe by faith
through grace “… whom he did foreknow, he
also did predestine…” (Romans 8:28-30 KJV). “… BY
GRACE have ye been saved THROUGH FAITH;
and that NOT OF YOURSELVES, IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD; not of works, that no man should glory…” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV). = (based on God’s will).
Does God invite all people to salvation or
is there a few elect people, chosen for salvation, based merely on his “foreknowledge?”
Here’s a quick review “IS”: A). Predestination based on everyone
who believes or calls on the name of the Lord and God foreknew who it would be
(Romans 10:4, 13). B).
Predestination based on a few select people God elects for salvation with a foreknowledge
of those he elected. C).
Predestination based on God’s foreknowledge of everyone, who comes into the
world, who would believe or call on the name of the Lord, by faith through
grace.
Whether your view is one of the three or a
combination of them all or something altogether different, God’s view is the
only one that matters. So, remember, God, the
Holy Spirit, doesn’t play favoritism and he does NOT want “anyone” to
perish. God, “….[is]
…not willing that any should perish,
but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9 KJV). “… AS MANY
as received him, to them GAVE HE POWER TO BECOME THE SONS OF GOD, even to them that believe on his name…”
(John 1:12 KJV). “…WHOSOEVER
shall call upon the name
of the Lord shall be saved...”
(Romans 10:13 KJV). “…YE ARE “ALL” CHILDREN
OF GOD BY FAITH “IN” (or dependence upon) CHRIST JESUS. …There
is NEITHER Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither
male nor female: for YE ARE ALL ONE IN CHRIST JESUS…” (Galatians
3:26-28 KJV). “…God SHOWS NO FAVORITISM. In every
nation HE
ACCEPTS those who fear him and do what is right. This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel—that there
is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all…”
(Acts 10:34-36 NLT). “…Then Peter opened
his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no RESPECTER OF PERSONS: But in every nation he that feareth him,
and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. The word which God sent unto
the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)…”
(Acts 10:34-36 KJV).
He offers “the world” “…The GIFT of
God is eternal life through Jesus Christ ….”
(Romans 6:23 KJV). “…that was [God’s]… plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his GRACE through Christ Jesus…” (2
Timothy 1:9 NLT).
WHY? God loves you and
the rest of the world. “…God SO LOVED the
world, that he GAVE his only…son….” (John 3:16). “…Herein is love, not that we
loved God,
but that HE
LOVED US...” (1 John 4:10 KJV). “We love,
because HE FIRST
LOVED US…” (1 John 4:19 ASV). Therefore, God
“…SPARED
NOT his own Son, but delivered him up FOR US ALL…” (Romans 8:32 KJV). “…God SHOWED HIS
GREAT LOVE FOR US by sending Christ to die for us while we were still
sinners…” (Romans 5:7-9 NLT). “…God is LOVE…” (1
John 4:4-8 KJV). “…There is no greater
love than to lay down one’s life…” (John 15:13 NLT). He
has “….loved [you]...with an everlasting love….” (Jeremiah 31:3 KJV).
God did choose you. . “…HE CHOSE US in Him before the foundation of the
world…” (Ephesians 1:4 NLT). "…You
did not choose me but I chose you, and appointed
you…” (John 15:16 ASV). “…ye are a chosen generation…”
(1 Peter 2:9 KJV). “…You
are the LORD God, Who chose Abram …and made a covenant with
him…” (Nehemiah 9:7-8 NASB). “For thou art an holy people
unto the Lord thy God: the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto
himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth...”
(Deuteronomy
7:6). “But you are a chosen people…” (1
Peter 2:9 NIV). “…The God of our fathers hath
chosen thee…”
(Acts 22:14 KJV).
God choose you to adopt
you into his family. “…God
sent forth his Son…to redeem [us]….that
we might receive the adoption of sons…” (Galatians 4:4-5
KJV). “…This is what he wanted to do, and it gave
him great pleasure…” (Ephesians 1 NLT). “Having predestinated us unto the
adoption of children
by Jesus Christ to himself, according
to the GOOD PLEASURE of his will…”
(Ephesians 1:5 KJV). “…For ye have not
received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, ‘Abba, Father…’”
(Romans 8:15 KJV). “…For we know that the
whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now…..waiting
for the adoption,
to wit, the redemption of our body…”
(Romans 8:22-23 KJV).
God choose you to pour
out his glorious grace (unmerited favors) upon by purchasing your freedom and
forgiving ALL your sins. . “…He is “SO” RICH in
kindness and GRACE that he purchased our freedom with the
blood of his Son and forgave our sins…”
(Ephesians 1:7 NLT). “…God, in
his grace, freely makes us
right in his sight.
He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from
the penalty for our sins…” (Romans
3:21-26 NLT). “…Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin
(that separates me from God)?
Thank God! The
answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans
7:14-25 NLT). “….The exceeding RICHES of his GRACE in his kindness toward us
through Christ Jesus…”
(Ephesians 2:7 KJV). . “…The life of the flesh is in the blood …it is the blood that maketh an atonement for
the soul…” (Leviticus 17:11 KJV). Jesus said, “This
is my blood of the covenant…” (Matthew
26:28 KJV). “…This cup is the new covenant in my blood …which
is poured out for you…”
(Luke 22:20 ASV). “…For Christ also died
for sins ONCE for all, the
just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God,
having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit…” (1
Peter 3:18 NASB). “This is my blood of the covenant, which
is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins”
(Matthew 26:28 KJV). “…Bless the Lord, O MY SOUL …Who forgiveth “all” thine
iniquities…” (Psalms
103 KJV). “….We have …the forgiveness of sins, according to the RICHES of his
grace…” (Ephesians 1:7 KJV). “…the Son of man HATH POWER on earth to
forgive sins…” (Matthew 9:6 KJV). “…If we
confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness…”
(1 John 1:9 KJV). “Create in me a clean heart, O God…”
(Psalms 51:10-19 KJV). ). “…I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more…"
(Hebrews 8:12 NIV). His “…love
covereth a multitude of sins…” (Proverbs 10:12, 1 Peter 4:8
ASV).
God choose you to reveal his mysterious
will in Jesus Christ. “…And
this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the
authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth…” (Ephesians 1:9
NLT). “…Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his GOOD PLEASURE which he hath purposed in himself…”
(Ephesians 1:9 KJV). “…it is GIVEN unto you to
know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven…”
(Matthew 13:11-12 NASB). “….resulting in a true knowledge of God's MYSTERY, that is, Christ
Himself…” (Colossians 2:2 NASB). “…The MYSTERY that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now
disclosed to the Lord's people…” (Colossians 1:26 NIV). “….the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to
the revelation of THE MYSTERY which has been kept secret for long
ages past…” (Romans 16:25 NASB). “…by revelation there was made known to me THE MYSTERY… when you read you can understand my
insight into THE
MYSTERY of Christ… to bring to light what is the administration of THE MYSTERY
which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things…” (Ephesians
3:3-4, 9 NASB). “….attaining to all the
wealth ….resulting in a true knowledge of God's MYSTERY, that is, Christ
Himself…” (Colossians 2:2 NASB). “…praying …that God will open up to us a door
for the word, so that we may speak forth THE MYSTERY of Christ…” (Colossians 4:3 NASB).
“…God willed to make known what is the
riches of the glory of THIS MYSTERY …which is CHRIST IN YOU, the hope of
glory…” (Colossians 1:27 NASB).
God
choose to give you an inheritance FROM him through Jesus Christ. “…In whom also we have obtained an inheritance,
being predestined according
to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his OWN
will…”
(Ephesians 1:11 KJV). “…the
Father… who hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of
the saints of light…” (Colossians 1:12 KJV). “…they
which are called might receive the promise of
eternal inheritance…” (Hebrews 9:15 KJV). “…that ye may know….what the
riches of the glory of his inheritance “IN” the saints…”
(Ephesians 1:18 KJV). “…God willed to
make known what is the riches of the glory …which is CHRIST IN YOU, the hope of glory…” (Colossians 1:27 NASB).
“…Like a will that takes effect
when someone dies, the new covenant was put into action at Jesus’ death. His
death marked the transition from the old plan to the new one, canceling the old
obligations and accompanying sins, and summoning
the heirs to receive the eternal inheritance that was promised them. He brought together God and his people
in this new way…” (Hebrews 9:16-17 MSG).
An inheritance usually
refers to property and goods that heirs receive AFTER a person dies.
God chooses to give you
untold spiritual blessings, which are his gifts and favors that heirs
(believers) receive as a result of Christ’s death on the cross. “…Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance…”
(Colossians 3:24 KJV). “…To open their
eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto
God, that they may receive ….[an]…inheritance
among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me…”
(Acts 26:18 KJV).
The inheritance is all
spiritual blessings promised to believers. “… I commend you to God, ….and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified…”
(Acts 20:32 KJV).
God chooses to claim
you as his OWN people. “…. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of
redemption…” (Ephesians 4:30 NLT). “…for
I the Lord …have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine. …” (Leviticus
20:26 KJV). “…Because YOU BELONG to him…
“ (Romans 8:1 NLT). “…Now those who BELONG TO Christ Jesus…” (Galatians 5:24 NASB).
And finally, God chooses to give you his indwelling Holy Spirit, which is proof
of spiritual life. “…God has given [you] HIS Spirit as PROOF
that [you]… live (are alive) in him
and he [dwells]…in [you]…” (1
John 4:13 NLT). “…God
has sent forth the Spirit of His Son (The WORD) “INTO” OUR HEARTS…”
(Galatians 4:6 NASB). “ …The Spirit of God dwelleth in you…”
(1 Corinthians 3:16 KJV). “…Your body is the temple of the
Holy Ghost which is in you…” (1 Corinthians 6:19 KJV). “…God hath said, I will dwell in them…” (2
Corinthians 6:16 KJV). “…the Spirit of God dwell[s]… in
you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV).
“…Jesus Christ is in you…”
(2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV).
It appears that God, the Holy Spirit chooses people before
the foundation of the world, foreknows the elect, predestines the saved, YET wills
or desires that “everyone” be saved, RIGHT?!
“…he chose us in him before the
foundation of the world…” (Ephesians 1:4-5 ASV). “… whom he did foreknow, he also did predestine …” (Romans 8:28-30
KJV). “to every one (or EVERYONE) that
believeth...” (Romans 10:4 KJV).
“... This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants
everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth...” (1 Timothy 2:3-4 NLT) “ ...'For this is good
and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will
have all men to be saved, and to come unto the
knowledge of the truth.' ...” (1 Timothy 2:3-4 KJV).
In Timothy 2:3-4, it says it is God's will that ALL mankind be
saved. It seems as if God, “….[is] …not
willing that any should perish, but that all should come to
repentance” (2 Peter 3:9 KJV). “… AS MANY as received him, to them GAVE HE POWER TO
BECOME THE SONS OF GOD, even
to them that believe on his name…” (John 1:12 KJV). “…WHOSOEVER
shall call upon the name
of the Lord shall be saved...”
(Romans 10:13 KJV). “…YE ARE “ALL”
CHILDREN OF GOD BY FAITH “IN” (or dependence upon) CHRIST JESUS. …There
is NEITHER Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither
male nor female: for YE ARE ALL ONE IN CHRIST JESUS…” (Galatians
3:26-28 KJV). “…God SHOWS NO FAVORITISM. In
every nation HE
ACCEPTS those who fear him and do what is right. This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel—that there
is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all…”
(Acts 10:34-36 NLT). “…Then Peter opened
his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no RESPECTER OF PERSONS: But in every nation he that feareth him,
and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. The word which God sent unto
the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)…”
(Acts 10:34-36 KJV).
Will everyone be saved? No. Will “ONLY” the elect be saved? No. Who
will be SAVED? God may choose you, and he may elect you, or predestine you to
be saved, but will he FORCE his sovereign will upon you or does he give you the
right, will, or human choice to accept that calling, election, or predestined
position? If the chosen, elected, or predestined does not choose the
path of salvation; God, the Holy Spirit,
will not FORCE them. “... If we sin
willfully AFTER... we have received the knowledge of THE TRUTH (been chosen,
elected, or predestined), there remaineth NO more sacrifice for sins...”
(Hebrews 10:26 KJV). .“…
it is impossible to bring back to repentance
those who
were once enlightened (chosen, elected, predestined). …”
(Hebrews 6:4-8 NLT).
God, the
Holy Spirit will remain faithfully responsible for sustaining his promises,
in regard, to the covenant relationship.
The chosen, elected, or predestined is NEVER forced to STAY or ABIDE and
can CHOOSE, at any time, to follow the desires of their OWN hearts. They have
been GIVEN a human will, which is FREE to choose. However, “… [Nothing]…will
be able to separate [them] from the love of God (THEY ARE SECURE IN HIS LOVE),
which is in Christ Jesus our Lord…”
(Romans 8:31-39 NASB). He has “….loved [you]...with an everlasting love….” (Jeremiah 31:3 KJV).
“…[God’s] ... love, which is the perfect BOND of unity...”
(Colossians 3:14 NASB). “…He [therefore]… remains faithful (THEY ARE SECURE IN HIS FAITHFULNESS)…” (2 Timothy
2:13 NLT). “…They
(the chosen, elected, or predestined) DID NOT like to retain God in their
knowledge, GOD GAVE THEM OVER (THEY ARE SECURE IN HIS RESPECT FOR THEIR CHOICES) to a reprobate mind (AN
wicked, unrepentant, wrong doing, fallen, departed mind) …”
(Romans 1:28 KJV).
God, the
Holy Spirit, would NEVER choose the path of divorce, because HE loves the
believer. However, God, the Holy Spirit,
“GIVES’ the believer the human right or will to FREELY choose the life they
want, even if it does not include HIM. God, the
Holy Spirit, respectfully and graciously gives them over to their desires.
"… I hate divorce," says the LORD, the
God of Israel..." (Malachi 2:16 NASB). “…[Yet]...GOD
GAVE THEM OVER to a reprobate mind to do those things which are
convenient...being filled with all unrighteousness...” (Romans
1:28 KJV). “…, …We will continue to live as we
want to,
stubbornly following our own evil desires…”
(JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT). “…But
my people have stubborn and
rebellious hearts. They have turned away and ABANDONED me….”
(JEREMIAH 5:23 NLT). “…My people would not listen to me.
They kept doing whatever
they wanted…” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT).
God, the
Holy Spirit, does not change his mind about those he chose, elected, or
predestined nor does he become a different person because “THEY” choose to
leave HIM. “…I am the Lord, I change NOT…”
(Malachi 3:6 KJV). “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever”
(Hebrews 13:8 NIV).
God, the
Holy Spirit may be sad, disappointed, heartbroken, and mourn the loss of
his chosen, elected, or predestined ones. It is normal to struggle over such a
loss. God ALWAYS struggled with GIVING OVER his PEOPLE to their human choices, the
consequences of SINFUL lifestyles, or to lives SEPARATED from HIM. "... Oh, how can I give you up, Israel? How can I
let you go? How can I destroy you like
Admah or demolish you like Zeboiim? My heart is
torn within me, and my compassion overflows...” (Hosea 11:8 NLT).
Even though God, the Holy Spirit, kept every covenant promise and vow he made to the
believer and blessed them with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places; LETTING
the chosen, elected, predestined GO, sometimes, is all that is left. “…They have turned away and ABANDONED me….” (JEREMIAH 5:23 NLT). “…My
people would not listen to me. They kept doing whatever they wanted…” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT). “…, …We will continue to live as we want to…”
(JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT). “...GOD GAVE THEM
OVER...” (Romans 1:28 KJV).
God, the
Holy Spirit will NOT “force” the chosen, elected, or predestined to stay or
abide in the covenant relationship with him “unless” they choose to. God gave
every man and woman a human “will” to choose life or death; right or wrong. “…abide
in me, and I in you.
(John 15:4 KJV). “… I
have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose (make a
decision) life…” (Deuteronomy 30:19). “…Abide in Me, and I in you ... apart from Me (God, the indwelling Holy
Spirit) you can do nothing…”
(John 15:4-6 NASB). “…Choose
LIFE (God, the Holy Spirit) …”
(Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV). Jesus (the Word)
saith…I am THE
LIFE…” (John 14:6 KJV). “... It was for freedom that Christ set us free...” (Galatians 5:1 NASB).
A believer is totally and completely MADE
FREE from SIN and the SIN nature. Therefore, their CHOICES are MADE in FREEDOM
too. Christ has set them FREE and they have the POWER and STRENGTH to choose
righteousness or unrighteousness. NOTHING can STOP them! “... It was for freedom that
Christ set us free...”
(Galatians 5:1 NASB).
Even in the relationship with God, the Holy Spirit; a believer is never “forced”
to stay or abide in the covenant relationship “unless” they choose to. “…Choose (make a decision) you this day whom ye will serve….”
(Joshua 24:15 KJV). “... It was for freedom that
Christ set us free...”
(Galatians 5:1 NASB).
So even though you are CHOSEN by God, the Holy Spirit, or elected, or
predestined by HIM, the covenant relationship is “not” FORCED upon you. “…Choose (make a CHOICE) you this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV). “...
IN LATTER TIMES
“SOME” SHALL
[choose to] ... DEPART FROM the FAITH!!!!...” (1
Timothy 4:1-3 KJV). “... It was for freedom that
Christ set us free...”
(Galatians 5:1 NASB).
The
bible says: “...'Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things,
ye shall never fall.' ... (2 Peter 1:10 KJV). "Give diligence to" means the chosen,
elected, and predestined make a chosen faith effort to make their calling is
certain.
“...So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are
among those God has called and
chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away...” (1 Peter 1:10 NLT). Why would the chosen or elect need to make an
effort of any kind “IF” their salvation was ALREADY guaranteed (predestined)? If
their salvation is ALREADY guaranteed (predestined) wouldn’t they have a FREE,
no responsibility PASS to eternal life?
BEING “predestined” for
SALVATION implies that people are
elected and chosen to be saved, no matter what, and is based on God’s will
alone. OR BEING “predestined” for SALVATION implies that people are elected and
chosen to be saved, not matter what, but is based on God’s will and human
CHOICE
“…He chose us in him before the foundation of
the world…” (Ephesians 1:4-5 ASV). “…
whom he did foreknow, he also did predestine …” (Romans 8:28-30 KJV). “...to every one that believeth...” (Romans
10:4 KJV). He chose you, elected, you, foreknew you,
and predestined you for salvation.
God CHOSE and ELECTED “before”
the foundation of the world with predestined foreknowledge “those” who are to
be SAVED. Thus, those who are lost have CHOSEN to be lost by rejecting his predestined
offer of salvation. AND those who are saved have CHOSEN to be saved by
accepting his predestined offer of salvation.
Therefore, the truly chosen and elected, ones, who accepted his predestined
salvation offer will make every effort to prove they were called.
“ ...'According as he hath
chosen us in him before the foundation of the
world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself,
according to the good pleasure of his will.' ...” (Ephesians 1:4-5 KJV).
Yes, God, the Holy Spirit,
DID predestine (decided, arranged, etc.) you, choose you, and elect you to be
saved, BUT you CHOOSE to make that election SURE, by making a faith effort, by
depending upon the indwelling Holy Spirit, to live a Holy and righteous life. “...'Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things,
ye shall never fall.' ... (2 Peter 1:10 KJV). “...So, dear brothers and sisters,
work hard to prove that you really are
among those God has called and
chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away...” (1 Peter 1:10 NLT).
BEING elected and chosen to be saved through predestination or a decision
of God’s sovereign will is NOT a free pass to eternal life or a no responsibility
role for the believer. It is a daily CHOICE of the believer’s human will to
make every faith effort, which depends upon the indwelling Holy Spirit, and
will enable them to make their calling and election sure.
Many Believers, who don’t
study the WORD deep enough think because they are elected and chosen to be
saved through predestinated foreknowledge, that they cannot be lost.
Unfortunately too many
professed believers, who believe they are chosen and elected, are “NOT” working
out their salvation, but are instead practicing sinful lifestyles while thinking
they are “STILL” saved. They are going to have an awful shock when Jesus returns
and He says "depart from Me, I never knew you". (Matthew 7:23).
Even
with ALL the scriptural support on being chosen and elected there is a willful,
voluntary, and personal responsibility of the human will to CHOOSE to depend
upon and abide with God, the indwelling Holy Spirit. “…[YOU CHOOSE]... this
day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV). “…abide in me, and I in you…” (John 15:4 KJV).
The personal responsibility for the believer is to CHOOSE to
DEPEND upon and ABIDE with God, the Holy Spirit. “…[YOU
CHOOSE]... this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua
24:15 KJV).
CHOOSING to DEPEND upon and ABIDE with God, the HOLY SPIRIT
is a life-long, intimate, covenant relationship where the believer moves and
settles into a spiritual and grounded, loving BOND with God. “... continue in the
faith (continue to depend upon God’s word) grounded and settled,
and be not moved
away ...” (Colossians 1:22-23 KJV).
“...
Everyone (including the chosen and elect) who practices sin
also practices
lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness
... the one who practices
sin is of the devil ... No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. By this the children of God and the children of the devil
are obvious: anyone who does not
practice righteousness is not of GOD...” (1 John 3:7-10 NASB).
“... Everyone who sins is breaking God’s law, for all sin is
contrary to the law of God. And you know that Jesus came to take away our sins,
and there is no sin in him. Anyone who continues to live in him (ABIDE WITH
HIM) will
not sin. But
anyone who keeps on
sinning does
not know him ... who he is. Dear children, don’t let anyone deceive you about this: When
people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is
righteous. But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning
since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil.
Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of
sinning, because God’s [SPIRITUAL] ... life is in them. So they can’t
keep on sinning, because they are children of God. So now we can tell
who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone (NO EXCEPTIONS) who does not
live righteously and does not love other believers
does not belong to God...” (1 John 3:7-10 NLT).
The book of JUDE also discusses the HISTORY of those who CHOSE
willfully and voluntarily to DEPART from God, the Holy Spirit. “...Dear friends ... some ungodly people have
wormed their way into your churches, saying that God’s marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives. The condemnation of
such people was recorded long ago, for they have denied our only Master and
Lord, Jesus Christ. So I want to remind you, though you already know these things, that Jesus (the
Word) first rescued the nation of Israel from Egypt, but later he destroyed
those who
did not remain faithful. And I remind you of the angels who did not stay within the
limits of authority God gave them but left the place where they belonged.
God has kept them securely chained in prisons of darkness, waiting for the
great day of judgment. And don’t forget Sodom and Gomorrah and their
neighboring towns, which were filled with immorality and every kind of sexual
perversion. Those cities were destroyed by fire and serve as a warning of the eternal fire of God’s
judgment...” (Jude 1 NLT).
“... These things happened as a warning to us, so that we would not
crave evil things as they did, or worship idols as some of them did. As the
Scriptures say, “The people celebrated with feasting and drinking, and they
indulged in pagan revelry. And we must not engage in
sexual immorality as some of them did, causing 23,000 of them to die in one
day. Nor should we put Christ to the test, as some of them did and then died
from snakebites. And don’t grumble as some of them did, and then were destroyed
by the angel of death. These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at
the end of the age...” (1 Corinthians 10:9-11 NLT).
“...For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the
knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled
in them...” (2 Peter 2:20-23 NASB).
“... it would be better for them not to have known the way
of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment ......” (2 Peter 2:20-23
NASB).
“...It has happened to them according to the true proverb, “A dog returns
to its own vomit,” and, “A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the
mire...” (2
Peter 2:20-23 NASB).
These passages are TALKING about converted or saved believers who
were chosen and elected. After
a person, chosen and elected, to be SAVED through predestinated foreknowledge, will
also choose to “….WORK OUT [their]… own salvation…” (Philippians 2:12 KJV).
Becoming SAVED through predestinated
foreknowledge, alone, is NOT a FREE pass to ETERNAL LIFE. Being SAVED IS A life-long
PROCESS which keeps, the chosen and elect, on THE PATH to ETERNAL LIFE.
“…
Jesus opened a new and life-giving way
... into the Most Holy Place (ETERNAL LIFE)…” (Hebrews 10:19-20 NLT).
“Jesus saith…I am the way…”
(John 14:6 KJV). “…"This is the way; WALK in it…" Isaiah 30:21 NIV).
“…THE WAY is narrow that LEADS TO LIFE, and
there are FEW who find it…” (Matthew
7:13-14 NASB). Working
out your own SALVATION (the being saved process) includes: “…[Choosing to put]… aside all filthiness and
all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which
is able to SAVE YOUR SOULS….” (James
1:21 NASB).
It
is actively “…[choosing to] …throw off
your old sinful nature and your former way of life…” (Ephesians 4:22 NIV).
“…You
must [also choose to]…put off falsehood
and speak truthfully to your neighbor…” (Ephesians 4:25 NLT).
It
is “….[choosing to]…let all
bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice…”
(Ephesians 4:31 KJV).
“….Ye
also [choose to]…put off all these;
anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth….”
(Colossians 3:8 KJV).
“…Wherefore
[choose to lay] … aside all malice, and
all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings…” (1 Peter
2:1 KJV).
How
can the chosen and elect do these things consistently, in order to work out
your OWN salvation (work out "being" the chosen and elect whom God
foreknew and predestined)? “…I can do ALL THINGS through
Christ (the Word of God) which strengtheneth me…”
(Philippians 4:13 KJV). .“…it is God (the
indwelling Holy Spirit) which worketh in [me]… both to
will and to do...” (Philippians 2:13 KJV). “….Apart from Me (the
Word of God), you can do nothing…”
(John 15:5 NIV).
Working
out your OWN SALVATION (the proof of being the chosen and elect saved through
predestined foreknowledge) is a CHOICE. “… the God of peace… that
great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with
everything good for doing his will…”
(Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “… [You]… are given...exceeding
great and precious promises: that by these ye might be PARTAKERS of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through
lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to
virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and
to temperance PATIENCE; and to PATIENCE godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness;
and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you,
and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ…GIVE
DILIGENCE TO MAKE YOUR CALLING AND “ELECTION” SURE; FOR IF YOU “DO” THESE
THINGS, YE SHALL NEVER FALL...”
(2 Peter 1: 4-9 KJV).
“...HE (SHE) THAT “SHALL” (WILL) ENDURE
UNTO THE END SHALL (WILL) BE SAVED...”
(Matthew 24:13 KJV).
“…
Jesus opened a new and life-giving way
... into the Most Holy Place (ETERNAL LIFE)…” (Hebrews 10:19-20 NLT).
“Jesus saith…I am the way…”
(John 14:6 KJV). “…"This is the way; walk in it…" Isaiah 30:21 NIV).
“…THE WAY is narrow that LEADS TO LIFE, and
there are few who find it…” (Matthew
7:13-14 NASB).
The
SECURITY of your chosen and elected predestined SALVATION is based upon God’s
IMMUTABLE LOVE and your CHOICE to continually DEPEND upon and ABIDE with God, the
Holy Spirit, to the end of this earthly life.
ETERNAL
LIFE is a destination, but JESUS is the way or path to that destination.
If
you believe ONLY in being “chosen” and “elected” as a predestined guarantee of
SALVATION that requires NO personal responsibility of “your” human will in
CHOOSING to DEPEND upon and ABIDE with God, the Holy Spirit, you may be
SURPISED on the day of redemption. "...depart
from Me, I never knew you...". (Matthew 7:23
KJV).
“…Apart from Me you can do nothing…” (John
15:4-6 NASB). “…[YOU CHOOSE]... this
day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV). “…abide in me, and I in you…” (John 15:4 KJV). “…If
a man abide NOT in me, ‘he is cast forth
as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned…”
(John 15:6 KJV).
God, the
Holy Spirit, sends the chosen and elect, who are predestined for salvation,
“….to
do the will of him that sent [them]…”
(John 4:34 KJV).
Jesus came down from heaven, as God’s
chosen and elect, to do HIS will. “…..not as I will, but as You
will…"
Therefore, whatever your view or opinion of
God’s predestinated foreknowledge of his chosen or elected people “they” will
be REVEALED by their fruit and “how” they work out or make an effort toward
their “own” salvation? “...'Wherefore the rather,
brethren, give diligence to make your calling and
election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.' ... (2 Peter 1:10 KJV).
“...So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are
among those God has called and
chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away...” (1 Peter 1:10 NLT). “….WORK
OUT [your]… own salvation…”
(Philippians 2:12 KJV). “…Ye shall know them by their fruits…”
(Matthew 7:16 KJV).
As a believer, a righteous attitude, of
the chosen and elected, will echo, “God, “….your will be done…” and not mine (Matthew 6:10 KJV). Further, the
consensus of righteous attitudes of the chosen and elected would agree that, “…whatever God wills”, right?!
The motto of the chosen and elected, in
other words, would mirror this truth: “……if the Lord will, we shall live and
do this or that…..” (James 4:15 KJV).
My point and the bottom line, for this
discussion, is that…….God chooses YOU!! God elects YOU! And you are God’s predestined
choice with HIS full foreknowledge of your calling. HOWEVER, “…[YOU
CHOOSE]... this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua
24:15 KJV). “…abide in me, and I in you…”
(John 15:4 KJV). “…[YOU CHOOSE]... ”
(Joshua 24:15 KJV).
Most believers concur with God when he
says, “… my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your
ways my ways…..as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher
than you ways and my thoughts than your thoughts…” (Isaiah 55:8-9 ASV).
Predestination is another debatable concept,
or doctrine, or theory made complex or complicated by man.
What matters is that YOU are chosen and elected by God and that you “…..[were] predestined
according to [His]… purpose who worketh all things after the counsel of his own
will” (Ephesians 1:11 KJV). God
chose you “…before the foundation of the
world…” (Ephesians 1:4 KJV)
Predestination simply says
that God is the “only” one who determines what will or will not happen in “all
things” pertaining to life “….[.having
been] predestined according to [His]…
purpose who worketh all things
after the counsel of his own will”
(Ephesians 1:11 KJV).
The main focus is that God chose you before the foundation of the world to be
in a relationship with Him through HIS offer of SALVATION.
God is sovereign and omniscient. Thus, whatever
“predestination” view you choose you are still called, chosen, and elected, but
with the human will, you CHOOSE to respond to HIS plan of SALVATION.
“…[YOU
CHOOSE]... ” (Joshua 24:15 KJV). “...But as many as received him
(who chose to receive him), to them gave
he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name...”( John 1:12).
The bible says we love God because he first loved us. Therefore,
it is possible that you also choose God because he first chose you? “…WE
LOVE, because he first loved us” (1
John 4:19 ASV). “…We give
[God]..only what [he]…first gave us!
…” (1 Chronicles 29:14 NLT).. "…You did not choose…
(God, the Holy Spirit]...” (John
15:16 ASV). "… I chose you….” (John 15:16 ASV). “... [God, the Holy Spirit] ...chose ...[you] ...” (Ephesians 1:11 NLT). "… I have chosen
you….” (John 15:16 KJV).
THEREFORE, “…[YOU CHOOSE]... this
day ….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV). “... GIVE DILIGENCE
TO MAKE YOUR CALLING AND “ELECTION” SURE...” (2 Peter 1: 4-9 KJV). “….WORK OUT [your]… own salvation…” (Philippians 2:12 KJV).
No comments:
Post a Comment