For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. Romans 8:29, NIV
And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. Romans 8:30
he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-- Ephesians 1:5
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, Ephesians 1:11 (the King James uses predestinated)
The question is asked, and the point argued, are we predestined? You can hear all kinds of attempts to escape, what is to many, a horrible doctrine. I have heard a bunch of them.
The common factor in these attempts of evasion is that they rebel against the truth that God has chosen us before we were born, before the world was made, to be his. It eliminates the "holy icon" of free will. Let me say I do believe in free will. Only God is the one who has it.
One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Jeremiah Chapter 1:5 "Berfore I formed you in the womb I knew (or chose) you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." NIV -- I totally agree that God has predestined us. I am grateful every single day that I am one of His, a child of God. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.
ReplyDeleteAnother favorite of mine -- Ecclesiastes Chapter 12:7 "and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it." NIV
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