Chosen by God (Part II)
27/01/08 22:14
The
ideology of predestination is a truth found in the
Holy Scriptures. It simply states that God has
determined certain things to be. This statement may
be an over simplification to a harried doctrine. Yet,
I have found that when I use too many words and
illustrations and analogies to explain certain
doctrines, everything gets muddled into a state of
confusion leaving us all the more befuddled in our
faith. So, I will attempt to do this again (by the
grace of God) and perhaps we will better understand
our faith in God. Simply put, we believe that God
knows all things, God created all things and that God
is in control of all things. We also believe that God
is love, He is good, and finally, He is faithful. If
a person believes these six things about God, he or
she can possess faith in Him. Faith is not only
believing these things but also trusting God (for our
present situations) because we do believe these six
things about Him. Now, back to the doctrine of
predestination. God has determined certain things to
be as follows: God determined that He was going to
create. God determined that this creation would be
something other than Himself, yet likened unto
Himself (of course, I am speaking specifically of
man). And God has determined that man would be free
to decide whether to exist eternally with Him or away
from Him. Therefore, our faith believes that prior to
anything being created God already knew who would
decide to live with Him eternally.
Eph.1:4; 2Tim.1:9 We
believe that God has given each man and woman their
position and time in life (here on earth)
Acts
17:26; 1Cor.12:18 And, (for
the purpose of this particular Pastor’s
Desk ) we
believe that God is in full-control, enabling Him to
bring this about. Job
23:13; Ps.115:3.
So, what does this doctrine do for you and me today? It tells us no matter where we are, no matter what circumstances befall us, no matter what situation we believe ourselves to be in, God will see us through until His purpose for us is completed. That purpose is that we will receive the glory of God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Our faith trusts God for today what we are sure of for tomorrow. For we believe that nothing will separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. We have been chosen by God to live with Him eternally –nothing will keep us from that!
So, what does this doctrine do for you and me today? It tells us no matter where we are, no matter what circumstances befall us, no matter what situation we believe ourselves to be in, God will see us through until His purpose for us is completed. That purpose is that we will receive the glory of God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Our faith trusts God for today what we are sure of for tomorrow. For we believe that nothing will separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. We have been chosen by God to live with Him eternally –nothing will keep us from that!
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