GOD'S ETERNAM PURPOSE
By Pastor J. C. O'Hair
After reading the above Scriptures we might wonder what a man has to do with his salvation. These Scriptures tell of God’s eternal “grace” purpose. Man’s responsibility is set forth in other Scriptures.
We have God’s work and man’s part in salvation in II Thessalonians 2:13 and 14: “For we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren, beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth. Whereunto He called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Here we learn that God chose, God called, God sanctified; man believed the truth; and by the gospel the believer obtained the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ.
But in the Scriptures listed above for this lesson we see the sovereignty of God, or His eternal PURPOSE, in man’s redemption by grace.
Note II Timothy 1:9: “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.”
Here we learn of God’s eternal “grace” PURPOSE; God’s grace and PURPOSE given in Christ Jesus before the world began. This is in harmony with I Corinthians 2:6 to 8 and Ephesians 1:4 and 5. The salvation and calling without any works on the part of man is in harmony with Ephesians 2:8 to 10 - Titus 3:5 to 8 and Romans 4:4 and 5.
And all of this is confirmed by Romans 8:28 to 30, where we read what God predestinated and that all things work together for the good of God’s elect.
Why do all things works together for good for those who are the called according to God’s PURPOSE (Romans 8:28)? Because God foreknew, predestinated, called, justified, and glorified. Who can be against God’s elect? (Romans 8:31 - 33 - 34).
We learn, in Ephesians 3:9 that God wants all His children to see the great truth called “the dispensation of the mystery,” “the mystery of His will” (Ephesians 1:9), “the mystery of Christ” (Colossians 4:3 and 4), “the mystery of the gospel” (Ephesians 6:19 and 20), which is according to His eternal PURPOSE, which He PURPOSED in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 3:11).
This is profound truth, wonderful, glorious truth. When did God PURPOSE His eternal PURPOSE in Christ Jesus? Before the world began, when He foreknew and predestinated the mystery of His will, that all things should work together for good to those who would be the called according to His PURPOSE.
Now note Ephesian 1:9 and 11: “Having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath PURPOSED in Himself. In Whom also we have obtained an inheritance being predestinated according to the PURPOSE of Him Who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will.”
In I Corinthians 15:1 to 4 and Acts 3:19 to 25 and Acts 26:21 and 22, and Romans 11:27 to 29, we learn of some blessed events which are “according to the Scriptures,” foretold by the prophets. But truth, according to “God’s eternal PURPOSE” is different. It was not foretold by the prophets. Therefore it is called “the unsearchable riches of Christ.” (Ephesians 3:8).
Compare the “searchable” riches of Christ in Acts 17:11 with the “unsearchable” riches of Christ in Ephesians 3:8. In order that Christians might understand God’s eternal purpose God has instructed Christians to pray in Ephesians 1:16 to 18 and Ephesians 3:14 to 21. God’s instruction also is to test things that differ. Divine truth, according to the Scriptures, (in fulfillment of prophecy) is different from the truth of God in Ephesians, according to His eternal purpose.
King James Bible
The Preserved and Living Word of God
Posted By Cecil and Connie Spivey
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