Sometimes I wonder if we realize that we are predestined to succeed in everything we do. I know that I often do not have that mentality. When I say succeed, I mean the biblical sense of glory designed to comfort and bring peace. This success is bringing praise to His glorious grace, being redeemed through the power of His blood, and being forgiven of all our sins. We ultimately win because of these things. No matter what pain, suffering, pleasure, and earthly success this world brings; we may be confident that one day we will reside in heaven with Christ through faith. God with all wisdom and insight gave his son to fulfill God’s plan for us to be one in Him.
“…(5) He predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, (6) to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. (7) In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, (8) which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight (9) making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ (10) as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. (11) In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will…” Ephesians 1:5-11
Not only this, but our lives are to work together for good as God sees fit according to Romans 8:28-29.
“(28) And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (29) For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son…” Romans 8:28-29
Now that we’ve highlighted what blessings God designed for us through His Son, Christ Jesus, how can we be so certain in our predestination? First of all, we can be very certain that there is not a single thing we can personally do to earn predestination.
“For what can a man give in return for his soul?” Mark 8:37
So, it must not be us who is predestined, but Christ himself as it is explained in Galatians.
"(16) Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, ‘And to offsprings,’ referring to many, but referring to one, ‘And to your offspring,’ who is Christ…” Galatians 3:16
This promise made from God to Abraham was not meant for the immediate or even future offsprings of Abraham as many thought, but were designed for God’s Son, Jesus Christ. The Law was then put in place as an intermediary to act as a guardian until the coming faith.
“(22) But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe… (25) … But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, (26) for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, thron that we would eventually through faith inherit the promises of Abraham through God’s predestination of Christ’s death on the cross.
“(4) But when the fullnesugh faith. (27) For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Galatians 3:22,25,26,27
It was God’s desigs of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, (5) to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons… (7) So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.” Galatians 4:4,5,7
This is why Paul can say, “(He has) predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ…”
And, “In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him.”
And, “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son.”
God always foreknew us from the beginning of time. That is why He predestined Christ Jesus to die on the cross that we may conformed to His image. We all, as Christians, are united within him through the faith that was given to us. Therefore, live as if you are predestined to win. Praise God together as one for His immeasurable grace towards us as he promises to work all things together for good.
God Bless,
Nathan
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