God's Foreknowledge & Sovereign Election - Bliss & Fire Network Weekly Digest - Success Scripture January 12, 2010

God's Foreknowledge & Sovereign Election

"And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; (For the children being not yet 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 was said unto her, The elderc shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion." - Romans 9:10-15 (Read to Romans 9:10-26)

EXPLORATION

Definitions: Foreknowledge means knowing something ahead of time. Election means choosing by preference among others.

Various passages of scripture reveal that God has foreknowledge of all things whether they are past, present or yet to be. He said: "Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:" - Isaiah 46:9-10 (Matthew 24:36, Acts15:18, Romans. 8:29, 1 Peter 1:2.) This is the basis for prophecy and God's knowledge of the present condition of man. (2 Timothy 3:1-7, Luke 6:8, Genesis 18:19.)

INSPIRATION

It should be in our mind that God made man with the free will to decide and choose whatever pleases him to do at every point of his life. He has the free will to accept or reject Jesus. He also has the free will to either obey God or disobey HIM. The choice of what to do totally belongs to man. God with his foreknowledge also knows those who love him and will obey him in accepting Jesus and also those who hate him and will reject Christ. Still based on his foreknowledge, he knows everything about us as individuals, our present, past and future; Hence, HE makes HIS choices and foretells what will happen at any point in human history.

It is in this premise that Paul explains the election or preference of Jacob by God over Esau. In book of Deuteronomy 21:15-17. We can see that God honors the natural position of the first son in the family. But where he knows that the first son in HIS program will not regard his position and role as the first, God has the moral liberty to choose otherwise. He knew that Esau would despise his birthright and live a wild life in the wilderness no minding spiritual things. Jacob was chosen, not because he was perfect, but because he had a heart after God and was spiritually inclined.

God's choices, decisions and programs are based on HIS perfect foreknowledge of people, things and events, which surpasses that of any man. Jesus had said the first shall be the last and the last first, not because God desires to unjustly bring down those who are first and make them last, but he knows that some who were once first would become presumptuous and no longer reckon with their position and responsibilities as first, in which case they no longer meet God's requirement for being first and remaining first. Consequently, their place would be taken up by the last that have a good account of their calling in the Lord.

It was God's plan for Israel to be the race and nation through whom the Messiah shall come into the world and by them also the gospel shall be spread to the uttermost part of the world. (Genesis 12:4, John 4:22, Romans 9:4-5). But the Bible tells us that when he was made manifest to Israel they received him not. (John 1:11) Thus Israel rejected Christ. This notwithstanding, God had to fulfill HIS program to save the world, and this he had to do with the Gentiles.

The Bible says: "Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.  26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God." - Romans 9:24-26.

In view of God's foreknowledge, he stands justified in his sovereign election of people for his work and can not be questioned. We can see that this also affects the criterion for the distribution of spiritual gifts as we read (Matthew 25:14-30, 2 Timothy 2:19). This does not in any way negate the grace of God that brought salvation to mankind.

This week: Beloved! In the same way, there are many today who have been saved but have disregarded their salvation, and others who by a natural course are supposed to be leaders, at the forefront of one gospel work or the other. But, because they have either despised their calling and election, like Esau, or God knowing that by and by they will reject it, he also has rejected them ahead of time. Remember, Saul in the Old Testament who, after a while, no longer maintained his integrity as the anointed man of God, and Samson; defiled his consecration through Delilah; and Judas who lost his position as an apostle of Jesus through greed. And, in fact, we can mention many more. Prayerfully and carefully consider your own stand today, make right your ways.

A Personal Experience: I once remember one of my friends telling me, "Wales you can't preach to me, I was born in the church, but you were born a Muslim," and I said to him "you are right, but while you were waiting to know the FATHER, HE found me and I walked past you and now dwell in HIM and I am doing HIS WILL!"

Remember the Bible says: "Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth surec, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity." - 2 Timothy 2:19

You are blessed, we love you!

Pastor Wales Goriola

Bliss & Fire Network Team

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