A Predestined Adoption - Part 1

Ephesians 1:5  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

Here in verse 5 there is a continuation of thought on the teaching of Divine Election. So let's review. God chooses or elects according to His foreknowledge. (1 Peter 1:2)  At this point we should define the word foreknowledge because there are some Calvinists who like to give it a different definition than what it actually means. Some inaccurately equate foreknowledge with forelove as a way to get around the true Bible teaching on Election. Foreknowledge simply means a prior knowledge or to know beforehand. In order to properly interpret scripture God's divine order must be kept intact: First foreknowledge, Second election, Third predestination. God determines who to sanctify (verse 4) and who to adopt (verse 5) based on His foreknowledge. God divinely elects to sanctify and adopt only those whom He knew before hand would trust Jesus Christ as Savior. Now in the current verse we are looking at there is, "A Predestined Adoption." Let's first define predestination. Predestination is God carrying out what He decided based upon His foreknowledge. All believers were destined by God to be made saints (sanctification) and to be made sons (adoption.) The Calvinistic false teaching says that God predestines some to believe. That's heresy! God does not predestine some to heaven and some to hell. Notice verse 5 again, "Having predestinated us (believers) unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ...clearly only believers are predestined to adoption by receiving Jesus Christ. John 1:12 says, "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:".  It is absolutely clear that God would only adopt us as children due to the fact He knew we would accept His Son Jesus. When we believed and received Jesus Christ, God gave us the ability (power) to become the sons of God by giving us the Holy Spirit. Notice Romans 8:15,  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. God has simply predestined that all who would receive Christ would be adopted.  Again in Galatians 4:5,6 we have these words:  "To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father."  How exciting it is to know that God has adopted me into His family! Now I am a joint-heir with Jesus Christ and He is my Brother, Savior and Friend!  I'm so glad I am a part of the family of God, for I have been washed in the blood of the Lamb. As a result of "A Predestined Adoption," I have every right to call God the Father, "My Daddy!" Amen!!