Choose Christ

Hello everyone,

How are you doing on this day? I hope well and bubbling in the Lord.

Primary Text

“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.” Romans 8v29 (KJV)

“For those whom He foreknew [of whom He was aware and loved beforehand], He also destined from the beginning [foreordaining them] to be molded into the image of His Son [and share inwardly His likeness], that He might become the firstborn among many brethren.” Romans 8v29 (AMP)

“God knew what He was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love Him along the same lines as the life of His Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity He restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in Him.” Romans 8v29 (MSG)

“God knew them before He made the world, and He chose them to be like His Son so that Jesus would be the firstborn of many brothers and sisters.” Romans 8v29 (NCV)

One area that people often have questions about is the concept of predestination. In essence, they wonder that has God already predetermined where every one will end up? One thing scripture makes clear is that God does not want anyone to perish, but all to come to repentance. He sent Christ to die for all (John 3v16), and it is up to us to believe in the work that Christ has done. For those who receive Him, He gives them the right to become the sons of God. The Dakes concordance comments that – “It is God’s plan that He has foreknown and predestinated, and not the individual conformity of free wills to the plan. He has called all men and all are free to accept or reject the call (Jn. 3:16; 1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9; Rev. 22:17). All who do accept, He has foreknown and predestinated to be conformed to the image of His Son that His Son might be the first-born among many brethren (v29). Those who reject the plan, He has foreknown and predestinated to be consigned to eternal hell as an everlasting monument of His wrath on rebels (Isa. 66:22-24; Rev. 14:9-11; Mt. 25:41,46). This is the sum of foreknowledge and predestination.”

Prayer

Father, thank You for Your great plan of salvation in Jesus name, amen.