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| Jas 5:16b The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. | August 29, 2008 |
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THE PURPOSE OF GOD II Tim. 1:8,9 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of the Lord, nor of me His prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to HIS OWN PURPOSE and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, HIS OWN PURPOSE, that is what I have on my heart. Let’s put forth a few questions on this topic and see if the answers can be found. 1.) Has God given believers to know His purpose or purposes? 2.) Are we in line with what His purpose is for us? We’ll start with the first question. John 15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of My Father I have made known unto you. Fruit bearing, Love and new closeness are all subjects of this beautiful chapter. We find an intimacy with Him that was unknown in those Old Testament times. The Old Testament Saints never knew His purpose. But He desires that we know. Isn’t that humbling to realize? Do we deserve this knowledge? NO! But isn’t it wonderful. Eph. 3:9-11 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God Who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God. According to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: What does it mean here might be known by the church? Paul wasn’t just referring to the local church here. I believe he was encompassing every true believer. But to consider this, the manifold wisdom of God. Do we know the manifold wisdom of God? NO! But it is His desire that we know, and is revealing to us all that we can possible take in, and I’m convinced that He’ll still be revealing to us all His wisdom and Glories in eternity. Now, on to another verse. Romans 8:28,29 And we know that all things work together for good to those that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose. 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. We’re beginning to see that His purpose has many facets. Called according to His purpose, this could be paraphrased that it was His purpose that the gospel went out to us. But, in verse nine, we see predestination. Both are true, whosoever will, and chosen in Him. We cannot ignore one and accept the other. There are Holiness groups who believe that a person can be saved and then lost again. They say, (I accepted Christ, therefore I am saved, but I can sin away my salvation). They ignore the Chosen in Him. I would say to those persons, (When Christ laid down His life on the cross, were all your sins than future?) Answer, yes! (Then what sins could He have left on you that you should perish? You said that all your sins were then future when He died for you and you have acknowledged that He died for all your sins. What sins has He left on you?) Now, the other side of the coin, the Calvinistic groups accept Chosen in Him and ignore the whosoever will. They would say, If the lost are to be saved, God will see to it that they are saved. We don’t need to give them the gospel. We must accept both sides of the coin to be balanced Christians and be about God’s purposes. So we know that He has purposed for us to hear the gospel, and to accept it, then give out to others. Just a little more about election or predestination, Romans 9:10-13 And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac: (For the children not yet being born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of Him that calleth;) It is said unto her, the elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. Here we see the sovereignty of God. He will chose whom He will. But keep in mind this also, God knows the beginning from the end, and He knows who will go on in self-will. He knew that Esau would do just that, and it served His purpose. However, I am not saying that for us to go on in self-will would serve His purpose. He desires that we do His sweet will. This now brings me that question, (Are we in line with His purpose?) Eph. 4:1-3 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye WALK WORTHY of the vocation wherewith ye are called’ With all LOWLINESS AND MEEKNESS, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. One has to point the finger at self and just acknowledge how we fall short. But the Scripture says to endeavor. Paul did beseech the Ephesians and they were ones who were known to be going on well. But while thinking on these things, we should be mindful that Paul also was addressing us. Eph. 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the FAITHFUL in Christ Jesus. So we ask ourselves, am I walking worthy? Am I endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace? Where am I falling short? I’m leaving you, dear reader, with these questions. P.W.D.
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