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ÒAccording to His PurposeÓ Romans 8:28
Truly, ÒGod moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform!Ó How amazing, how marvellous his grace is! Our God works everything Òtogether for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.Ó That fact is stated plainly in Romans 8:28-30. Read it and rejoice in the marvellous grace of our God and in his great purpose of grace in Christ.
ÒAnd we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the 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. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.Ó
God of Purpose Contrary to popular opinion, the God of the Bible, the one true and living God is a God of purpose. In Isaiah 14 we read of LuciferÕs fall. The old serpent is hissing at the God of Glory. The blustering dragon is puffing and spewing fire from his nostrils at the throne of God, vowing to take over the throne of God and shove God off his throne. In response to SatanÕs rage our God declares that his throne is unshaken and that the salvation of his people is a matter of certainty. He saysÉ
ÒSurely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it standÉThis is the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth: and this is the hand that is stretched out upon all the nations. For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?Ó (Isaiah 14:24-27)
The fact is, everything in this world comes to pass and is ruled according to the sovereign, eternal, unalterable, all-inclusive, and sure purpose of our God for the salvation of his elect (Ephesians 1:11; 3:11; 2 Timothy 1:9-10). It is written, ― ÒEvery purpose of the Lord shall be performedÓ (Jeremiah 51:29), Òthat the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that callethÓ (Romans 9:11). The purpose of God is absolute and unconditional.
Grace Unconditional As the purpose of God is absolute and unconditional, the grace of God, by which we are saved, is also absolute and unconditional. The Scriptures are crystal clear in stating this. Nowhere in the Sacred Volume is salvation ever attributed to, conditioned upon, or determined by manÕs works, manÕs will, manÕs choice, or manÕs decision. Every aspect of salvation is specifically declared to be the work of God alone (John 1:12-13; Romans 9:11-18).
Don Fortner
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Pastor FortnerÕs
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