Bible Question: Doc, can you explain to me in simple terms what predistnation of God means. I am comfused. your sister in chris sandra |
Bible Answer: Hello Sandra, Perhaps this also will help you. This word that is translated predestined (also foreordained or predetermined) at its simplest means that God has determined at some point in the past that something will happen--without fail or change. For instance, Scripture says about Christ's crucifixion that “for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place” (Acts 4:27-28). The atoning death of Jesus on the cross was going to happen. That was the entire plan for his coming to earth. This also means that God has determined that something would happen concerning us: A. The message of the gospel is called a “secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory” (1 Cor. 2:7). The unfathomable wisdom of God planned redemption for us and our glory. B. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. (Romans 8:29-30) Those God foreknew (knew intimately and personally beforehand) he had established that these would be conformed to his Son. And for this to take place he called us, justified us, and glorified us (or better said, will glorify us; it hasn't happened yet, but it will). C. As believers we receive two things that, as part of God's eternal plan, should be free given—an adoption and an inheritance: * He predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. (Eph 1:5-6) * 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, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. (Eph 1:11-12) I hope this helps. We have so much that was planned in ages past (even before the foundation of the world) for the redemption of man and the individual benefit of each believer. All this for his own glory and that we might glorify him. Steve |