04-03-2008, 05:51 AM
I heard a sermon illustration of what Paul meant by predestination in Ephesians. I think it helps. Predestined is a concept one who has never heard or accepted Christ should not have put before him as a hindrance to the free gift of Gospel grace.
We see an arch and on the keystone above the passage is engraved "Enter and be saved by Y'shua".
We gladly pass under the arch, accepting G-d's gift of His son. Looking back we see engraved on the other side of the arch, "G-d has predestined you to recieve Christ as Lord and Saviour and elected you to service."
Paul was really keen on getting as close to the mystery as possible and still leaving it as such.
1Tim.3
[16] And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
G_d does not accept me on the basis of my works, I am saved by Christ's work, then... He works through me.
John.14
[12] Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
Shalom
We see an arch and on the keystone above the passage is engraved "Enter and be saved by Y'shua".
We gladly pass under the arch, accepting G-d's gift of His son. Looking back we see engraved on the other side of the arch, "G-d has predestined you to recieve Christ as Lord and Saviour and elected you to service."
Paul was really keen on getting as close to the mystery as possible and still leaving it as such.
1Tim.3
[16] And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
G_d does not accept me on the basis of my works, I am saved by Christ's work, then... He works through me.
John.14
[12] Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
Shalom