Pre-destined for Glory

Common phrases in our day like Karma, fate, destiny, it is what it is.

These are abstract- depending who you ask

Our topic for today has the same effect

All Christians believe in predestination. In fact all religions do.

For Our study the emphasis is on where in the Bible is predestination and why is it a point of contention among believers.

It’s General meaning is not contentious

What its implication to how we are saved makes it the point of contention.

The text in question is Rom 8 28to30

Paul’s insertion of what we know should be seen in light of the Hope of glory we have as justified, adopted children of God through the Son who are Spirit led & for whom the Spirit intercedes in accordance to the Father’s will.

This is what makes what we know decisive/powerful/emphatic/firm

What do we know?

All things work together for good

Those who love God

Those who are called

Those whom God foreknew

Those whom God Predestines

Those whom God justifies

Those whom God glorifies

Notice out of all of these only those who are called & those who are predestined are further fleshed out/explained

Tracking the thought process of what is revealed here lets ask some questions

Who is it the one working all things together? with whom are all things working together?

God! Deuteronomy 8:15-16

Deuteronomy 8:15–16 LSB

15 “He led you through the great and fearsome wilderness, with its fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground where there was no water; He brought water for you out of the rock of flint. 16 “In the wilderness He fed you manna which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do good for you in the end,

who defines goodness?

God. 1 Chronicles 16:34

1 Chronicles 16:34 LSB

34 Oh give thanks to Yahweh, for He is good, For His lovingkindness endures forever.

Matthew 19:17 LSB

17 And He said to him, “Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.”

Is justice good? Is mercy good?

Yes that is who God describes Himself as in Exodus 34:6-7

Exodus 34:6–7 LSB

6 Then Yahweh passed by in front of him and called out, “Yahweh, Yahweh God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; 7 who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression, and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.”

To whom do all things work together for good?

Fot those who love God & are called according to His purpose.

Who loves God inherentlly

No one. 1 John 4:10

1 John 4:10 LSB

10 In this is love, not that we have loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

1 John 4:19 LSB

19 We love, because He first loved us.

Notice how God is the subject/ source of all these things.

Who is that who calls?

God

How does he call?

According to His purpose

Can anyone thwart/ prevent God’s purpose?

No Job 42:2

Job 42:2 LSB

“I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.

You need to be firm in this knowledge of God’s purpose to work out the your sufferings, your temptation, your success even your sin to bring about the ultimate good that He purposed in Christ.