|
Foreknown & Predestined
by Teresa Lee Rainey We are all born into a sinful world. Are we sinners when we get here? Well. . .Christ tell us in Matthew 18:3 to "be converted, and become as little children". It is only as we become aware of choices that Satan is able to tempt us and lead us astray as we read in Isaiah 53:6 "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way. . ." and then this verse goes on to say ". . . and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." What were those last two words? US ALL. Christ died for each and every individual ever born. Ephesians 1:3-5 states "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 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: having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will". Think about how great a promise that is. God has chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world. Each and every one of us are "predestinated" to be adopted as God's children through Jesus Christ. Romans 8:29 states that "For whom he did foreknow (know beforehand), he also did predestinate (decide beforehand) to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren." We see in 2 Peter 3:9 that "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." I take that to mean that it was never God's intention for anyone to be doomed eternally. It is His desire that everyone be saved. So why do so many people choose to decline such an awesome gift as we have been promised? There are numerous scriptures on how that old tempter, Satan, woos unsuspecting souls. Ephesians 6:12 states "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Satan does not want us to accept the promise we are so freely offered. That old tempter knows it is our choice and he is fighting to keep us from accepting God's invitation to be adopted into the kingdom of Heaven. If you have not taken that pivotal step of choosing to be saved, let me encourage you to make today your adoption date. It is really as easy as ABC! A: Accept the fact that you are a sinner. Isaiah 53:6 = "All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned everyone to his own way. . . B: Believe that Jesus Christ died for those sins. . . . and the Lord hath laid on HIM the iniquity of us all" C: Confess (acknowledge) that Jesus Christ is your savior. Matthew 10:32 = "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven." After you have made this step, go ahead and do what Philippians 4:4 says; "Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, Rejoice."! You have now chosen to allow God to adopt you. He wanted you all along. Remember you were foreknown and predestined to be HIS! (All scripture taken from KJV, but please look it up in the version of your choice.) Teresa Lee Rainey is a wife and mom who enjoys writing in her spare time. It is her desire to write for the honor of Jesus Christ and she humbly prays that those who read her writings will be able to see God's hand at work in them. Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |