Verse of the Day 11/26

Verse of the Day 111/26

Ephesians 1:4-5 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love ⁵ he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,  (ESV English Standard Version)

Whenever you hear the word "predestined", especially in Christian circles, there will likely be a debate between predestination and free will as if they were diametrically opposed.  Today's verses have that word in them, at least in some translations, but the starting and ending point of any discussion should be and can be found at the beginning of verse 4, He chose us "in him", to be in Christ, before the foundation of the world.  God had and has a plan and we are part of it.

One of my former pastors, Bill Swanger perhaps handled the debate better than just about anyone else that I have heard.  It involves faith.  Predestination and free will, and our responsibility are both clearly taught in scripture.  They are not opposed to each other, but it is at the point of faith that we have to leave it to God, to trust Him in our lives and through any debate, no matter which side we personally hold to.

Charles Spurgeon addressed predestination in the following way, "remember that predestination is the counterpart of history, as an architectural plan, the carrying out of which we read in the facts that happen, they may perhaps obtain a slight clue to the unreasonableness of their hostility. I never heard any one among professors wantonly and wilfully find fault with God's dealings, yet I have heard some who would even dare to call in question the equity of his counsels. If the thing itself be right, it must be right that God intended to do the thing; if you find no fault with facts, as you see them in providence, you have no grounds to complain of decrees, as you find them in predestination, for the decrees and the facts are just the counterpart one of the other".    Whatever side of the debate you may hold to, I pray that you can agree with this from The Message, "Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ.  (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son. (v. 5-6 The Message)    As this Thanksgiving weekend comes to a close, may we be thankful that God has adopted us into His family through Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.    

Hebrews 12:1-2New King James Version (NKJV) Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

Ephesians 1:4-6The Message (MSG)

The God of Glory

^3-6 How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He's the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.