Predestination, God's Foreknowledge and His Mercy

To be sure, no one is predestined to be saved or to be lost.

However, God knows who are destined for either destiny.

If one is destined for destruction at the last day, does he or she has a chance to reverse the inevitable? Indeed, not! But no man knows his/her destiny until God shows him. And man can know in his/her lifetime. In practice, those that are lost are not sure of their fate. In contrast, the saved are assured by God through his Spirit, whom he sends to "make tent" in individual disciple.

The Spirit seals the truth of salvation in God's children.

If God knows beforehand and altogether everyone's destiny - saved or unsaved - is he unfair to the many who are not saved?

             "What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! For he says to Moses, 'I will have
             mercy on whom I have mercy and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.' ”   
                   Romans 9:14,15, NIV

The key word is mercy - that of God. To whom does he give mercy? Those who have contrite or repentant hearts will receive God's mercy.

In contrast, the proud and the unrepentant will not have it. They will be given their wish: to be separated from God forever. From dust they came, to dust they will be, which is nothing in anyone's eyes and God.
           

How Does one Know he or she is a Child of God?

Not everyone can claim to be one of God's children. One may be very religious and a baptised member of a church; but it does not mean he/she is altogether a God's child.

So, how can one know? God's word tells us how!

"The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.^[a] And by him we cry, “Abba,^[b] Father.” ¹⁶ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. ¹⁷ Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory." Romans 8:15-17, NIV

Jesus taught that the Father has promised to make the body of his children the temple of the Holy Spirit. Because God knows everyone's heart he readily sends the Spirit to those whom he considers worthy of the gift - those considered already saved from condemnation at the last day.

Indeed, the Holy Spirit authenticates your faith.

Do you have the Spirit teaching and working in your thoughts and doings? If so, you are really a child of God. When worship day comes and the preacher says you can have God's promises and blessings daily as you pray and ask for them, you can in fact relate. In contrast, one who doesn't have the Spirit might wonder what the message of the preacher is coming from for he/she cannot recall instances of his/her life that were truly blessed.

Being Righteous vs. Being Wicked

There are just two conditions of man: living righteously or unrighteous. In other words, either one is  a child of God or the devil's ambassador on earth.

“Abraham is our father,” they answered. “If you were Abraham’s children,” said Jesus, “then you would do what Abraham did. As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. You are doing the works of your own father.”

“We are not illegitimate children,” they protested. “The only Father we have is God himself.”

Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.” John 8:39-47, NIV

Jesus is saying simply that doing right to anyone means you belong to God. Doing the opposite means your father is the devil.

This is easier said than done, one would say. Again, one of Jesus' teachings will come to play: faith will appropriate God's power for anyone to stay righteous. He promised in fact the Holy Spirit to live within his children.

What do you choose to be?

True Happiness only Comes from God

Happiness only comes with God in us. God through the Holy Spirit will "make a tent" [Bible term: tabernacle] within anyone who lives morally right. One starts to become righteous as he/she fears the Lord's judgment. The Bible says, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." A righteous person shuns evil.

Jesus did not only come to die for our sins but also to live the life anyone should live that he/she be called a child of God. Indeed, he is the model that we should follow.

In contrast, God cannot be with someone who does wrong. Wrongdoings will always lead to trouble. And this is doubly alarming for without God's power no one can do right. For the devil's power is too powerful to be defeated by man's effort.

Defeating the devil requires that you join with Christ. How? Believe and do what he teaches. That's the essence of being called to follow God. This is made easy by God's power as he sends the Holy Spirit to live within anyone who believes his Son.

God's Help for Trouble

WE might have heard someone blame another for causing his/her troubles. This is wrong. Have you heard of the story of the first fall? Eve was the first to fall into sin, who being deceived by the devil chose to disobey God. So Eve blamed the devil. On the other, Adam blamed Eve and particularly God for giving Eve as his companion.

This blame game has been replayed so many, many times. It is counterproductive to say the least. It never solves any problem.

I'll give you one that can solve every problem of any man or woman. It's the prescription of the Bible. It's God's own medicine for anyone looking for a peaceful, worry-less and trouble-free life. All Christians know or at least are aware of it but they can't seem to apply or use it. Anyway, I know it's very effective for it solved and still solving mine.

I was as evil as any man on earth. It's only on degrees that we vary. Then God brought me down to my knees by taking away almost everything that I have. I almost lose my family. Out of the blue God gave me a promise through a dream that he will bring and gather myself and family into one place. That was my first dream ever. It was the end of 2004.

At the end of the year 2012 the family was reunited in one city - in one family home.

How does my story relate to anyone? In not so many words, God converts anyone who owns up to their fallen nature; that one cannot be fully righteous without being joined with Christ. Christ has said and still saying, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing [righteously]."

Troubles come with the wrong things we do which in turn result from wrong choices. Anyone not counseled by the instructions of God but taking cue only from himself will fall into making mistakes.

                The Word of God contains...warning signs. The book of Hebrews especially provides 

                cautions about perils to the soul. “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil

                heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while 

                it is called ‘Today,’ lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin”

                (Hebrews 3:12-13).

In contrast, taking a stand always for the right things as defined by an outside source, i.e. the very righteous God, will bring you that trouble-free, happy and peaceful life that no man or woman can ever take away. You must know that the devil tempts through his followers - the evildoers. Anyone without God when tempted can do evil most easily.

Anyone's troubles or fears will not go away until he admits he is committing wrong things and must turn back to God, the only person who can change him/her.

Men may be able to help someone in distress in the normal or usual way people do but God gives the greater help. And it's permanent or eternal, too. For God provides through the Holy Spirit the will and the power to remain righteous to those he wants to help.

God's Love Comes Through Christ

God Reveals Himself through Christ

            (Jesus) “I and the Father are one.” (John 10:30, ESV)

God reveals himself to us - - who he is, what his Being, His will, plans and purposes in heaven and on earth for his creation, both humans and the created world and everything in it. On the other hand he also reveals what he requires of man which has a bearing on their well-being and destiny.

This is the true meaning of what Bible scholars and theologians are telling us: the truth – the absolute truth. It is found in the word of God, i. e., the Scriptures. What is truth? Truth defines everything in this life – visible and invisible, natural or supernatural, physical and spiritual. It's God's world. He is sovereign for He owns it.

God wants us to know all truth that he reveals in his Word, i.e., Christ, the Word of God. For this knowledge, understanding and acceptance of the truth will immensely benefit us. For He loves us. To be sure, it’s for our own good ultimately, although it can only be good for us if we practice righteousness. For righteousness pleases God. On the other hand, it is not beneficial for us to think, plan and do evil things. God’s word says we are not created to do these things.

The Ten Commandments

The Ten Commandments are God’s will for us. They direct us toward righteous thought, motivation and behavior. Doing his will brings peace and safety to our being, creating no troubles or difficulties or miseries in our lives. He favors us in turn with the delights of our hearts.  He will work out every circumstance for good in your home, at work, at business place and even of mundane activities. He will provide the knowledge and wisdom you need to make the right choice or decision at any given time. 

In addition the material things – money and other resources – will be in your hands at the right amount and at the time they are needed.

On the other hand, he will supernaturally overrule your wrong decisions or those that lead not to the best benefit. 

Love is the Primary Motivation

            Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. (1 John 4: 7-9, NIV)

His selfless love for his creation – especially man – is the treasure of immense and incomparable value that the Bible is telling us that a man will sell everything he has just to get it. In other words, in having God you have found the greatest and unmatched love that sustains and nourishes a meaningful and fulfilling life. God’s children can have this treasure now in their lifetime and in eternal life. Death becomes just a temporary and restful transition between their present and afterlife.

God the Father is the Easiest Person to Live With

The Father is So Near           

Anytime you want to talk to him he is just nearby to listen. You can ask him for advice; ask any question or for anything. For want of companionship or of a friend to commiserate with your sorrows or celebrate with your joys he is always ready. For want of a helper in anything you do, he will lend a helping hand. Teaching you His ways the Father so desires for He loves you. He will not want you to stray from the right path. For if you do harm is in your way.

The Father is helpful

He is not ready to disown you if you cross him or challenge his authority. Even after denigrating him, he will acknowledge you as his son and worthy of forgiveness and love. You can claim a promise he made, he will answer you if he thinks it would bring you benefit. Therefore be ready to answer his questions. Even these questions will bring to mind knowledge for a deeper understanding of things.

Wisdom and understanding comes from his mouth. Wisdom is one of the many tools that the father gives that you may do the right things for the right reasons. In fact it is the mother of tools in his bag or resources. It tells you how to use all other tools wisely, effectively and beneficially. Have you read about God giving King Solomon wisdom first before he gave other things like wealth and prestige?

You can have his Power and Authority too

God is generous with his power to his children. He knows they need it to fight off the devil and the world’s temptations and seductions. Bigger still is the authority given them to manage, husband and utilize essential things for life. As they use this authority to advance His work, God is more than willing to give more than sufficient power through His Spirit.

He Understands you Very Well

He knows you from head to toe. He knows your heart, the thoughts you have and what you desire. He is happy when you are happy; grieves when you are grieving; he suffers with your pain and heartaches. He is not to tell you, “I told you so” anytime soon or ever. He doesn’t number your sins and count them against you. God doesn’t quarrel with anyone especially with his children.

God only Works for your Good

He only has goodwill for His children. God manages to work out something good out of their misfortunes. This is the promise of the Scripture in Romans 8:28, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (ESV)   And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. The story of Joseph is a good example he was sold as a slave by his envious and evil-intentioned brothers. God was with Joseph during this time of trouble; he made Joseph do good work with his master. As a result the latter made him his top administrator in his household. Even then the wicked wife of the master coveted for herself Joseph; the wife, being spurned by Joseph, accused Joseph of wrongdoing. This got the latter into trouble with his master, who caused Joseph to be imprisoned. Again God was with Joseph during this dark time. (Read the full story of Joseph in Genesis 37, 39-45)

God has a Plan For You

God has a plan for you. He treats you as He treats Christ, His firstborn. You are co-heir with Christ in God’s riches and treasures. This plan was from eternity for you along with many others; you are created to inherit it.

A Reminder

All these things I have written are true if you are in thoughts, words and actions a child of God. How would one know if he or she is one of God’s children? Read the Holy Scripture. It is story of Christ--the Word--who is sent from God. Christ has all the answers for all questions you need to ask.