Ephesians 1:13b,14 ... ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Our salvation has been sealed with the Holy Spirit. The other day I put a check in an envelope and sealed it shut. Then I went to the Post Office and mailed it. As I left the Post Office I had full confidence that the envelope would reach its destination and that the rightful owner of the check would receive it. That envelope that was sealed shut, remained so until the rightful owner broke the seal and opened it up and to obtain the check inside, which was rightfully his. The envelope was sealed in order that only the buyer could open it and take possession. Likewise God has placed us (the check) in an envelope (in Christ.) At salvation we were placed, created in Christ and were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise. The Holy Spirit is the seal that keeps the envelope shut until the rightful owner receives it and takes possession. The Holy Spirit keeps the check secure in the envelope until God gets it and takes full possession. As believers we are in the mail on our way from one destination to another. The envelope that we are in is Jesus Christ and that envelope is sealed by the Holy Spirit until it reaches it's destination in Heaven. At that point God will break the seal and take full possession of that which He has purchased. Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. One day God will unseal the person that He has purchased with His own blood. So if your sealed, your secure until redemption day. Also in this text we see the Holy Spirit is called the earnest of our inheritance. The word "earnest" means a down payment or a promise of full payment to come. The Holy Spirit was given to us as promise from God that He would give us a full inheritance. Of course Heaven is apart of the inheritance put that is just the land God is giving us. He has a mansion and riches stored up for us as well. Everyday we live as believers with the indwelling Holy Spirit is God's guarantee that we are His and He will receive us for good. This is exactly why He the Holy Spirit is called, the Holy Spirit of promise. Have you spent time talking with the Holy Spirit today? What a great friend He is!
Tuesday, July 2, 2019
Thursday, June 20, 2019
Trusting in Christ
Ephesians 1:12,13 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
God works all things after the purpose that He has determine in His will. This is what predestination means. Now the reason God does that is so that we should be to the praise of his glory. God does everything for His glory! His glory is praised by having an inheritance for His children. He alone deserves all the glory for what salvation brings. We believe, but God does the saving, the sanctifying, the adopting, the conforming, and the reserving of an inheritance. It's ALL for His glory! Now as we look at these two verses we must notice the order upon which someone comes to trust in Christ for salvation. The phrase who first trusted in Christ makes it clear that all the benefits of salvation: blessings, sanctification, adoption, inheritance only come after a person has trusted Christ. Now Paul begins to explain how it came about that they, (the Ephesians believers) received salvation. Here we have the simple order in which someone is saved. First a person hears the word of truth, the gospel of Christ. Second, that person then accepts it and believes it to be true. Finally that person then puts their trust (faith) in Christ. Hearing the gospel, believing it, and trusting in it, is the order and way a person obtains salvation. Contrary to the inaccurate teachings of Calvinists, someone who is dead in their sins can still hear the gospel being preached. Calvinistic false teaching says a person has to be made alive, quicken, regenerated first in order to be able to hear the gospel and believe it. These verses clearly reveal that salvation and the new birth are a result of a person hearing, believing and trusting first. Can you really believe that these false teachers put regeneration; being born again before faith? The Bible is clear, being born again is a result of an individual putting their faith in Christ! Calvinists truly have an upside down and backwards gospel that they preach. A person who is dead in sin (separated from God) has the ability to hear the preaching of the gospel and in conjunction with the conviction of the Holy Spirit, then choose to believe it and trust in Christ for salvation. The moment that happens the believer is then sealed with the Holy Spirit and secure in salvation. Salvation is ALL the work of God but believing is OUR responsibility! God does not regenerate us in order for us to believe, rather our believing initiates regeneration. We must reject Calvinism and just believe the Bible! Romans 10:14-17 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. The order is clear they can't call on him (trust Christ) if they have not believed. And they can't believe if they have not heard. And they cannot hear unless we preach the gospel. If we are faithful to preach the gospel those that hear it, believe it, and trust it, have saving faith.
God works all things after the purpose that He has determine in His will. This is what predestination means. Now the reason God does that is so that we should be to the praise of his glory. God does everything for His glory! His glory is praised by having an inheritance for His children. He alone deserves all the glory for what salvation brings. We believe, but God does the saving, the sanctifying, the adopting, the conforming, and the reserving of an inheritance. It's ALL for His glory! Now as we look at these two verses we must notice the order upon which someone comes to trust in Christ for salvation. The phrase who first trusted in Christ makes it clear that all the benefits of salvation: blessings, sanctification, adoption, inheritance only come after a person has trusted Christ. Now Paul begins to explain how it came about that they, (the Ephesians believers) received salvation. Here we have the simple order in which someone is saved. First a person hears the word of truth, the gospel of Christ. Second, that person then accepts it and believes it to be true. Finally that person then puts their trust (faith) in Christ. Hearing the gospel, believing it, and trusting in it, is the order and way a person obtains salvation. Contrary to the inaccurate teachings of Calvinists, someone who is dead in their sins can still hear the gospel being preached. Calvinistic false teaching says a person has to be made alive, quicken, regenerated first in order to be able to hear the gospel and believe it. These verses clearly reveal that salvation and the new birth are a result of a person hearing, believing and trusting first. Can you really believe that these false teachers put regeneration; being born again before faith? The Bible is clear, being born again is a result of an individual putting their faith in Christ! Calvinists truly have an upside down and backwards gospel that they preach. A person who is dead in sin (separated from God) has the ability to hear the preaching of the gospel and in conjunction with the conviction of the Holy Spirit, then choose to believe it and trust in Christ for salvation. The moment that happens the believer is then sealed with the Holy Spirit and secure in salvation. Salvation is ALL the work of God but believing is OUR responsibility! God does not regenerate us in order for us to believe, rather our believing initiates regeneration. We must reject Calvinism and just believe the Bible! Romans 10:14-17 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. The order is clear they can't call on him (trust Christ) if they have not believed. And they can't believe if they have not heard. And they cannot hear unless we preach the gospel. If we are faithful to preach the gospel those that hear it, believe it, and trust it, have saving faith.
Thursday, June 13, 2019
A Predestined Inheritance
Ephesians 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
In whom (Jesus Christ) also we (believers) have obtained an inheritance. As believers in Christ, who have been adopted into the family of God, we now have an inheritance. As John W. Peterson's song says, "God owns the cattle on a thousand hills, The wealth in every mine; He owns the rivers and the rocks and rills, The sun and stars that shine. Wonderful riches, more than tongue can tell - He is my Father so they're mine as well; He owns the cattle on a thousand hills -I know that He will care for me." We have a rich Father. We serve a great God who shares the riches of His grace. I know one day I will receive from Him my full inheritance. Colossians 3:24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. This certainty is based on the fact that I have been predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things. Again Paul mentions here the fact that believers have been predestinated according to God's purpose. Remember nobody is predestined to believe but those who choose to believe are predestined to God's purpose. What is God's purpose for His children? It's plain and it's also the same for all believers. Here it is. First, God purposed that all those who trust Christ would be predestined to become His adopted children. So as a result of being predestinated unto adoption by God the Father, we now have the legal right to the inheritance that belongs to God's children. Second, God has a blanket will or purpose for all His children, as well as a specific will for each of His children. God's blanket will, (the will that is the same for all of His children) is found in Romans 8:28,29, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren." God's will for every believer is to be conformed into the image of Christ. Those that God foreknew would believe have been predestined to be adopted and conformed into the image of Christ and also to do good works. Notice, Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. These things have been planned after the counsel of his own will. God desires all men to be saved but only those who receive that receive Him have the power to become the sons of God. After a person is born again and adopted into the family of God, he has the rights to the inheritance. I am praising God! No, I may not have a rich Uncle that's about ready to kick the bucket, but I have a rich Father whose holding onto my inheritance for me. We ought to be giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints. Serve Him today until you come into that inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you!
In whom (Jesus Christ) also we (believers) have obtained an inheritance. As believers in Christ, who have been adopted into the family of God, we now have an inheritance. As John W. Peterson's song says, "God owns the cattle on a thousand hills, The wealth in every mine; He owns the rivers and the rocks and rills, The sun and stars that shine. Wonderful riches, more than tongue can tell - He is my Father so they're mine as well; He owns the cattle on a thousand hills -I know that He will care for me." We have a rich Father. We serve a great God who shares the riches of His grace. I know one day I will receive from Him my full inheritance. Colossians 3:24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. This certainty is based on the fact that I have been predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things. Again Paul mentions here the fact that believers have been predestinated according to God's purpose. Remember nobody is predestined to believe but those who choose to believe are predestined to God's purpose. What is God's purpose for His children? It's plain and it's also the same for all believers. Here it is. First, God purposed that all those who trust Christ would be predestined to become His adopted children. So as a result of being predestinated unto adoption by God the Father, we now have the legal right to the inheritance that belongs to God's children. Second, God has a blanket will or purpose for all His children, as well as a specific will for each of His children. God's blanket will, (the will that is the same for all of His children) is found in Romans 8:28,29, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren." God's will for every believer is to be conformed into the image of Christ. Those that God foreknew would believe have been predestined to be adopted and conformed into the image of Christ and also to do good works. Notice, Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. These things have been planned after the counsel of his own will. God desires all men to be saved but only those who receive that receive Him have the power to become the sons of God. After a person is born again and adopted into the family of God, he has the rights to the inheritance. I am praising God! No, I may not have a rich Uncle that's about ready to kick the bucket, but I have a rich Father whose holding onto my inheritance for me. We ought to be giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints. Serve Him today until you come into that inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you!
Monday, June 3, 2019
The Mystery of God
Ephesians 1:9,10 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
Not only did God adopt us unto the good pleasure of His will, but He also purposed in His will to gather together all things into one in Christ. The mystery of His will, which He planned for His own pleasure was revealed or has been made known unto us His children. The word mystery means to shut the mouth or keep silent. There are several mysteries in scripture where God keep silent and did not give explicit details about a truth in His will. Notice, 1 Corinthians 4:1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. At this point let me briefly mention seven mysteries of God.
1.) Mystery of Godliness - this is about the fact that God would come in human flesh and do the work necessary for salvation. 1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
2.) Mystery of Israel's blindness - this is about the fact that Israel is blinded to the gospel for a time while the Gentiles are able to see. Romans 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
3.) Mystery of the Church - this is about the fact that the church (a local assembly of believers) are the body of Christ to continue on the ministry Christ started. Ephesians 5:32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
4.) Mystery of Iniquity - this is about the fact that Satan is already working in deceiving people to sin and reject Christ. 2 Thessalonians 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
5.) Mystery of the Rapture - this is about the fact that one day believers will be caught up and changed in a twinkling of an eye. 1 Corinthians 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed...
6.) Mystery of Babylon - this is about the fact that there is a false religious system that the Antichrist will use. Revelation 17:5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
7.) Mystery of Christ - this is about the fact that Christ would be in us. Now here is where this ties into our text verse. In Ephesians chapter 3 the mystery is described in more detail, but I will summarize it as the Jew and Gentile being one in Christ. Notice what is says, Ephesians 3:3,4 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) and then verse 6 says, That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: The mystery of Christ is the fact that because God's seed (Jesus Christ) abides in us, we are thus of the seed of Abraham. Being of the seed of Abraham by faith in Christ allows Jew and Gentiles to be one. In totality Christ is going to one day restore everything in one and perfect unity, undoing the results of the fall. Paul speaks more of this mystery in Colossians 1:25-27 "Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:" Think about it! We have the hope of glory living within us! Why be discourage, fearful or dismayed? We have a glorious hope!!! Christ lives in us! We shall be, nay rather are victorious! Amen!!
Not only did God adopt us unto the good pleasure of His will, but He also purposed in His will to gather together all things into one in Christ. The mystery of His will, which He planned for His own pleasure was revealed or has been made known unto us His children. The word mystery means to shut the mouth or keep silent. There are several mysteries in scripture where God keep silent and did not give explicit details about a truth in His will. Notice, 1 Corinthians 4:1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. At this point let me briefly mention seven mysteries of God.
1.) Mystery of Godliness - this is about the fact that God would come in human flesh and do the work necessary for salvation. 1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
2.) Mystery of Israel's blindness - this is about the fact that Israel is blinded to the gospel for a time while the Gentiles are able to see. Romans 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
3.) Mystery of the Church - this is about the fact that the church (a local assembly of believers) are the body of Christ to continue on the ministry Christ started. Ephesians 5:32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
4.) Mystery of Iniquity - this is about the fact that Satan is already working in deceiving people to sin and reject Christ. 2 Thessalonians 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
5.) Mystery of the Rapture - this is about the fact that one day believers will be caught up and changed in a twinkling of an eye. 1 Corinthians 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed...
6.) Mystery of Babylon - this is about the fact that there is a false religious system that the Antichrist will use. Revelation 17:5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
7.) Mystery of Christ - this is about the fact that Christ would be in us. Now here is where this ties into our text verse. In Ephesians chapter 3 the mystery is described in more detail, but I will summarize it as the Jew and Gentile being one in Christ. Notice what is says, Ephesians 3:3,4 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) and then verse 6 says, That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: The mystery of Christ is the fact that because God's seed (Jesus Christ) abides in us, we are thus of the seed of Abraham. Being of the seed of Abraham by faith in Christ allows Jew and Gentiles to be one. In totality Christ is going to one day restore everything in one and perfect unity, undoing the results of the fall. Paul speaks more of this mystery in Colossians 1:25-27 "Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:" Think about it! We have the hope of glory living within us! Why be discourage, fearful or dismayed? We have a glorious hope!!! Christ lives in us! We shall be, nay rather are victorious! Amen!!
Monday, May 27, 2019
Redemption's Payment
Ephesians 1:7,8 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
We all owe a debt that we cannot pay. Jesus came to pay a debt that He did not owe. The Son of man came to give His life as a ransom for many. The word redemption here in verse seven means "a ransom paid in full." We as a result of the fall and because of our sin nature have been taken captive by Satan and death. The wages of our sin is death and so there was a ransom that had to be paid in order that we might be freed. This ransom payment was much more than a million dollars, or a billion dollars. Truly the ransom payment was priceless, no amount of money in the world could satisfy the debt. These verses tell us redemption is through his blood. The only source of payment that was good enough for the ransom to be paid in full was the precious blood of Christ. 1 Peter 1:18,19 says, "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:" Jesus came to pay sin's ransom and offer a way out for ALL people! Limited atonement is heresy! 1 Timothy 2:6 says, " Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. Jesus blood was shed as the payment for the sin of the world. 1 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. Jesus Christ gave His life and shed His blood in order to pay the ransom that each of us owe. If we reject His offer and do not apply His payment to our account then we must pay it ourselves in hell forever and ever and ever. Don't reject His payment, sign the back of that check and be forgiven, set free and delivered from death and hell! Now when a person accepts Christ's ransom payment, that person has been purchased with His blood. Once that blood ransom payment has been accepted then the debt is satisfied, which results in the forgiveness of sins. We have a rich God! He is the only one who can pay the ransom and when our ransom is paid by Him we are justified. Salvation is absolutely free to us because it is the riches of His grace that offers us a ransom payment. In Romans 3:24,25 it says, "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;" Because of the riches of His grace we abound or have in excess the blessings of wisdom and prudence. God has tipped us with wisdom and prudence. Jesus not only paid the bill, but He also left a tip. Hallelujah what a Saviour that truly paid it all and then tips us with wisdom and insight to live as His adopted child!
We all owe a debt that we cannot pay. Jesus came to pay a debt that He did not owe. The Son of man came to give His life as a ransom for many. The word redemption here in verse seven means "a ransom paid in full." We as a result of the fall and because of our sin nature have been taken captive by Satan and death. The wages of our sin is death and so there was a ransom that had to be paid in order that we might be freed. This ransom payment was much more than a million dollars, or a billion dollars. Truly the ransom payment was priceless, no amount of money in the world could satisfy the debt. These verses tell us redemption is through his blood. The only source of payment that was good enough for the ransom to be paid in full was the precious blood of Christ. 1 Peter 1:18,19 says, "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:" Jesus came to pay sin's ransom and offer a way out for ALL people! Limited atonement is heresy! 1 Timothy 2:6 says, " Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. Jesus blood was shed as the payment for the sin of the world. 1 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. Jesus Christ gave His life and shed His blood in order to pay the ransom that each of us owe. If we reject His offer and do not apply His payment to our account then we must pay it ourselves in hell forever and ever and ever. Don't reject His payment, sign the back of that check and be forgiven, set free and delivered from death and hell! Now when a person accepts Christ's ransom payment, that person has been purchased with His blood. Once that blood ransom payment has been accepted then the debt is satisfied, which results in the forgiveness of sins. We have a rich God! He is the only one who can pay the ransom and when our ransom is paid by Him we are justified. Salvation is absolutely free to us because it is the riches of His grace that offers us a ransom payment. In Romans 3:24,25 it says, "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;" Because of the riches of His grace we abound or have in excess the blessings of wisdom and prudence. God has tipped us with wisdom and prudence. Jesus not only paid the bill, but He also left a tip. Hallelujah what a Saviour that truly paid it all and then tips us with wisdom and insight to live as His adopted child!
Saturday, May 18, 2019
A Predestined Adoption - Part 2
Ephesians 1:5,6 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
As we have previously said it is important to keep God's divine order intact. That order is as follows: First Foreknowledge, Second Election, Third Predestination. Why is this the right order? Remember predestination is God carrying out what He has already determined or chosen. Predestination is an action of God but before an act there has to be a decision or a choice. Now we come to the crux of the matter what was behind God's choice or God's election? Foreknowledge. Before the world was created, before Genesis 1:1, God existed in eternity pass. Since God was perfectly existing with ALL of His attributes, then before He ever performed one act, foreknowledge existed. Foreknowledge has to be first. God's foreknowledge is inextricably linked to His Omniscience and therefore an attribute of God. In other words it is a part of His nature, it is who He is! Foreknowledge is first! Before the world existed, before God did any act, He already knew each and every believer by name. God simply had prior knowledge of who in their own God given free will would choose to believe given the chance. Now listen, it is impossible for God to go against His nature. God could only elect and predestine in agreement with what He foreknew. God never did elect and predestine someone unto adoption who chose not to believe, nor could He. God acted in total agreement with what He knew beforehand. Foreknowledge was first! Election and predestination stem from God's foreknowledge. God did not randomly choose who to elect and predestine. No man is a robot pre-programmed by God to believe or made to believed. Calvinism is heresy! It is God's good pleasure and His will to adopt all those who believe and accept Christ. It praises the glory of His grace. His unmerited favor upon us is exalted due to the fact that we are accepted. The reason that a Holy God can accept sinners is because they are in the beloved. In Matthew 3:17, the Father's response to Jesus baptism was: "And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." As believers we are in Christ and for that reason are accepted and valued in the sight of God. When we in our own free will believe on Christ we are accepted in Him by the Father. The Father accepts us as His own due to the righteousness we have in Christ. Listen to me now, this world is in a mess! Every individual has a genuine need for love and acceptance, but people go to all the wrong places to find it. It is only in Christ where we can find true love and acceptance! What this world needs in order to deal with the rejection that we all have experience is found in the person of Jesus Christ! He is the answer! Dear Christian friend don't find your identity in your appearance, performance or possessions. Find your identity in Jesus! God accepts those in Christ! What an adoption. Now as adopted children we can experience the love of the Father, which is perfect love. No rejection! He accepts me in the beloved!
As we have previously said it is important to keep God's divine order intact. That order is as follows: First Foreknowledge, Second Election, Third Predestination. Why is this the right order? Remember predestination is God carrying out what He has already determined or chosen. Predestination is an action of God but before an act there has to be a decision or a choice. Now we come to the crux of the matter what was behind God's choice or God's election? Foreknowledge. Before the world was created, before Genesis 1:1, God existed in eternity pass. Since God was perfectly existing with ALL of His attributes, then before He ever performed one act, foreknowledge existed. Foreknowledge has to be first. God's foreknowledge is inextricably linked to His Omniscience and therefore an attribute of God. In other words it is a part of His nature, it is who He is! Foreknowledge is first! Before the world existed, before God did any act, He already knew each and every believer by name. God simply had prior knowledge of who in their own God given free will would choose to believe given the chance. Now listen, it is impossible for God to go against His nature. God could only elect and predestine in agreement with what He foreknew. God never did elect and predestine someone unto adoption who chose not to believe, nor could He. God acted in total agreement with what He knew beforehand. Foreknowledge was first! Election and predestination stem from God's foreknowledge. God did not randomly choose who to elect and predestine. No man is a robot pre-programmed by God to believe or made to believed. Calvinism is heresy! It is God's good pleasure and His will to adopt all those who believe and accept Christ. It praises the glory of His grace. His unmerited favor upon us is exalted due to the fact that we are accepted. The reason that a Holy God can accept sinners is because they are in the beloved. In Matthew 3:17, the Father's response to Jesus baptism was: "And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." As believers we are in Christ and for that reason are accepted and valued in the sight of God. When we in our own free will believe on Christ we are accepted in Him by the Father. The Father accepts us as His own due to the righteousness we have in Christ. Listen to me now, this world is in a mess! Every individual has a genuine need for love and acceptance, but people go to all the wrong places to find it. It is only in Christ where we can find true love and acceptance! What this world needs in order to deal with the rejection that we all have experience is found in the person of Jesus Christ! He is the answer! Dear Christian friend don't find your identity in your appearance, performance or possessions. Find your identity in Jesus! God accepts those in Christ! What an adoption. Now as adopted children we can experience the love of the Father, which is perfect love. No rejection! He accepts me in the beloved!
Monday, May 6, 2019
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!!
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!!
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