Articles
“Predestinated” to “be holy and without blame before him in love”
by Tim Winkley
Ephesians 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Romans 8:28 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. 29 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. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
If we look within the context of Ephesians 1:4 (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), we find that we/those that are “holy and without blame” and “conformed to the image of His Son” were chosen in Him before the foundation of the world. I understand that some would make a doctrine of this, attempting to declare that some are chosen and some are not. Jesus Christ (Yeshua) died for all men: Romans 5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
Romans 2:6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds: 7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: 8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, 9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; 10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: 11 For there is no respect of persons with God.
We should always look within to determine if we are of those chosen in Him. These Scriptures, these writings, are given for our admonition. Security is found in the relationship with our Creator, by day in and day out careful circumspection. Simply speaking, my internal relationship with G-d is borne out and evidenced to others by my deeds. The evidence I am of the chosen ones, or those that are predestinated, is that I am being conformed to His image. We do not focus on our deeds. We focus on our personal spiritual interaction with the Holy Spirit. The “deeds” simply are an outgrowth of this internal relationship.
Romans 2:16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
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