Posted on 01/17/2023 4:20:32 AM PST by metmom
"Having been predestined according to [God's] purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will" (Eph. 1:11).
God took the initiative in salvation by choosing you and granting you saving faith.
In Ephesians 1:4 Paul says that God "chose us in [Christ] before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him." In verse 11 he reiterates that marvelous truth by affirming that believers have been predestined to salvation according to God's own purpose and will.
Many reject the teaching that God chose (predestined) believers to salvation. They think believers chose God. In one sense they're right: salvation involves an act of the will in turning from sin to embrace Christ. But the issue in predestination goes deeper than that. It's a question of initiative. Did God choose you on the basis of your faith in Him or did He, by choosing you, enable you to respond in faith.
The answer is clear in Scripture. Romans 3:11 says that no one seeks for God on his own. Unregenerate people have no capacity to understand spiritual truth. It's all foolishness to them (1 Cor. 2:14). They are spiritually dead (Eph. 2:1), blind (2 Cor. 4:4), and ignorant (Eph. 4:18).
How can people in that condition initiate saving faith? They can't! That's why Jesus said, "No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draws him. . . . All that the Father gives Me shall come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out" (John 6:44, 37). Paul added, "God . . . has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity" (2 Tim. 1:9).
God took the initiative. He chose you and gave you saving faith (Eph. 2:8-9). Rejoice in that truth. Rest in His power to conform all things to His will. Draw strength and assurance from His promise never to let you go (John 10:27-29). Then live each day as God's elected one by shunning sin and following after holiness.
Suggestions for Prayer
Praise God for placing His love upon you and granting you salvation. Pray for the salvation of others and seek opportunities to share Christ with them today. For Further Study
Read Ezekiel 36:22-32.
Why will God one day redeem Israel?
What does that passage teach you about God's initiative in salvation?
From Drawing Near by John MacArthur Copyright © 1993. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.com.
Studying God’s Word Ping
[”Having been predestined according to [God’s] purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will” (Eph. 1:11).]
Great reference. Thanks for posting.
Read the history of the Puritans.
So is this article arguing for double predestination? Sure looks like it.
No, this is a short devotional based on scripture.
Pray for Gods mercy upon everyone.
Including me and those that I rant about on FR.
I had to look it up.
No you didn’t.
You are the one who posted on your home page that Billy Graham preached a false Gospel, and removed it when inpponted it put to others.
You must have me confused with someone else.
That could be. Sorry about my confusion.
‘Tis ok, as we interact with a LOT of differing folks on FR and the similarities between us can be confusing at times.
I checked my profile and found that I still had my old ISP listed from over 20 years ago!
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