Predestination in the Wisdom of God

[Cassia]

Sitting in the morning sun contemplating the gifts of God and what brings that into our lives.
Love does. Love is the key factor. We love Him because He first loves us. Love shines light on the path. Will responds which shines more light on the path . Growth occurs. It's a dance of love light and response that creates growth.
The eyes of God look to and fro on the earth for those who are of a contrite heart. Response is the only thing that causes growth.
Abraham believed and that was counted faith.
Abraham was willing to sacrifice his future and the sacrifice was made.
Love shone on him and will received. So more light was given.
Love came first. Not the chicken or the egg.

 

[Lamb]

Response is the only thing that causes growth.

I thought it was the Holy Spirit using the word that causes our growth.

 

[Josiah]

We love Him because He first loves us.

An EXCELLENT support for predestination.

Response is the only thing that causes growth

So FIRST there must be something we respond to! Another excellent support of predestinantion! Yes, one who has been given life responds by breathing, but our breathing isn't what causes us to be alive, we first must have life before we can respond to it.


In part, election is simply an application of mongerism, that Jesus is the Savior and thus Jesus does the saving. That GOD gives life (physical and spiritual) in a divine MIRACLE of GRACE..... But what I especially note is that it's ALWAYS presented in Scripture as Gospel, to comfort and assure believers. It's never presented as some philosophical point or to suggest God "gets off" insuring most people burn in hell.... what perversions! It's the good news from our Abba (our Daddy) that His love for us reaches back before we were born (that was probably true even of your earthly parents - how much more of our Heavenly Parent!!!!) and in that, there is confort.... His love for us (His dear son, His precious daughter) is unconditional and steadfast. That's the sole purpose and use of this teaching. But yes, it's virtually required since "God chooses you, you don't choose Him." Virtually required by the central foundational teaching of Christianity: Jesus is the Savior and thus Jesus does the saving. Jesus raises us from the Dead.

Love came first.

GOD'S love for us! Yup



Soli DEO Gloria



- Josiah

 

[Cassia]

Deuteronomy 29:29
The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the revealed things belong to us and to our children forever, to observe all the words of this law.​

Mystery is truth undiscoverable except thru revelation, never necessarily a thing unintelligable. God's initial movement toward mankind is thru things known and causing it to be approached in an attitude of faith. It's really our duty to discover that which has been revealed for ourselves and future generations, for the purpose of observing the things of God. That which is not revealed can be reverently rested upon as belonging to the secret things of God.[I/] We know that the life, death and resurrection of Christ are all things that are revealed. Divine self-expression became understandable to humans when He took on flesh to dwell among us. His mode of operandi was as the position of a servant in obedience and submission to God's will.
We know that His life, death and resurrection were predestined from before the beginning of the world, as well as Him being the head and that His body would be a part of that pre-concieved plan. His future plans for those in Him has also been revealed so should also be required study. We know from scripture that is God's revealed plan and is a foundational part of Christianity.

While we have His example in letter there is the Spirit to help us carry it out. Christ's example says "Thy will and not mine be done" Yeilding(human will) to the will of God away from our own will is turning to God away from idols, leaving the way open for God to act on our behalf. His was an unceasing recognition of God thereby everything He did showed the forces of diety in union with the capacities of humanity.

Jesus exemplified yeilding(human will) when He yeilded to being baptised (associated in symbol of sacrifice and offering,) associated symbolically with death. In the final association He associates Himself with them in actual death.

Yeilding(human will) to God, light falls on the pathway, and creates love. Love suggests obedience. The will, impulsed by love, yeilds to light. The experience that follows obedience increases light and love, and thus there is perpetual progress, groth, developement in the grace that makes mankind grow in favor with God and mankind.

An excellent study on this topic ~ G. Campbell Morgan ~ The Crises of the Christ~ 1903

 

[Cassia]

The New Testament is unique in the bible because the contents are meant for a unique people, those of the new birth, the new creation. More unique still in the history of the word of God is the time of the gospels, when God incarnate walked the earth. It was a time unparrelled that will never be seen again. During that time the disciples of Jesus were in possession of the fact of His Presence in the world but were unaware of the significance. They saw the facts of the works that He performed and their memories were stored with the words that He had spoken to them. They had the fact of the Word made flesh as well as the God's Word spoken to them but what they lacked was an interpretation of the facts. They lacked the conception of Christ as the Supreme Word of God ..... until ....

They needed guidance into the truth and it wasn't until a shift of understanding occured that Jesus could commence with deeper teachings. That shift came in recognition of Who He is.
"Thou art the Christ the Son of the Living God" A revelation from the Father.

John 16:13-14

1st value
"Howbeit when the Spirit of truth shall come, He shall guide you into all the truth"
(parenthical interpretation)
for He shall not speak from Himself; but what things soever He shall hear, these shall He speak
2nd value
and He shall declare to you the things that are to come
Common Value
He shall glorify Me
(parenthical interpretation)
for He shall take of Mine and declare it unto you"

Jesus didn't speak from His humanity but rather that which He heard from the Father and in this way declared the Father to them in His glory.
In the same way the guidance of the Holy Spirit reveals Christ to us ... the Holy Spirit guided the first disciples and thru them His people for all time, into the truth concerning Jesus Christ Himself. In the epistles we find the step by step leading.

This is the fulfillment of the 1st value " He shall guide you into all the truth"

Christ introduced the new and living Way, that is thru the veil which is His flesh. The veil is further drawn aside in the book of Revelation, teachings for the church in mainly in symbolic form.

This is the 2nd value fulfilled " He shall declare to you the things that are to come"

From all of these leadings were led to discover
- the Mystery of His Person ( the incarnation)
- the graciousness of His teachings
- the beauty of His character
- the wonder of His deeds
- Him as the anointed Servant of God
- the movement of God toward the redemption of mankind.

This is what God had foreshown:

Acts 3:17-22
My friends, I am sure that you and your leaders didn’t know what you were doing.
But God had his prophets tell that his Messiah would suffer, and now he has kept that promise.
So turn to God! Give up your sins, and you will be forgiven.
Then that time will come when the Lord will give you fresh strength. He will send you Jesus, his chosen Messiah.
But Jesus must stay in heaven until God makes all things new, just as his holy prophets promised long ago.
Moses said, “The Lord your God will choose one of your own people to be a prophet, just as he chose me. Listen to everything he tells you.

Acts 17:29-31
Since we are God’s children, we must not think that he is like an idol made out of gold or silver or stone. He isn’t like anything that humans have thought up and made.
In the past, God forgave all this because people did not know what they were doing. But now he says that everyone everywhere must turn to him.
He has set a day when he will judge the world’s people with fairness. And he has chosen the man Jesus to do the judging for him. God has given proof of this to all of us by raising Jesus from death.​

The 2 facts insisted upon in these statements are that the result is the actual return of the Lord Jesus Christ. In them we see the restoration and the methodology.

 

[Cassia]

Gradually we are building heavenly foundations. Most basic of all, and to be built most carefully, is that of the conscience. Purifying the clay that is the vessel of our earthly body. As Gideon's army broke the clay vessel to reveal the light within, so must we.

Jer 18:2-6
2 "Go down to the potter's house, and there I will give you my message." 3 So I went down to the potter's house, and I saw him working at the wheel. 4 But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.
5 Then the word of the LORD came to me: 6 "O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?" declares the LORD. "Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.​

The potters field was purchased by the Pharisees with the 30 pieces of silver that Judas had received from them to betray Jesus. It was used to bury foreigners, those belonging to a different allegiance. Obviously those who killed Jesus were not of the same allegiance as was He.

Matthew 27:3-10
3When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. 4"I have sinned," he said, "for I have betrayed innocent blood."
"What is that to us?" they replied. "That's your responsibility."
5So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.
6The chief priests picked up the coins and said, "It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money." 7So they decided to use the money to buy the potter's field as a burial place for foreigners. 8That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day. 9Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: "They took the thirty silver coins, the price set on him by the people of Israel, 10and they used them to buy the potter's field, as the Lord commanded me.​

1 Chronicles 4:21-23 it says the descendants of Judah "were the potters" who "dwelt with the king in his service" and were " the house of those who worked with fine linen."

Rom 9:21
Or has not the potter authority over the clay, out of the same lump to make one vessel to honour, and another to dishonour?​

But God says this clay does not act as clay should but rather tries to work things that are not intended by the potter.

Isaiah 29:16
You turn things upside down,
as if the potter were thought to be like the clay!
Shall what is formed say to him who formed it,
"He did not make me"?
Can the pot say of the potter,
"He knows nothing"?​

It seems the clay is not always as resilient as the potter would have it be. I can almost imagine God's idea of the city He is creating to look like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s__SDgXyNxI

How many people have actually said to the Father of the All, the creator of you and me
"You are the creator, the Potter, the Husbandman of the Your garden that is me, I yield to You ALL of me so that You may mold me as You would have me be"?
The rewards are in the thankfulness for each and everything God has placed on your plate each day. Nothing can hurt a thankful heart. God does ALL for your good. His ways are high above our own.

Isaiah 64:8
Yet, O LORD, you are our Father.
We are the clay, you are the potter;
we are all the work of your hand.
2 Corinthians 4
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; 8 we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.​

*

 

[Cassia]

What the Lord is teaching me I like to share with others. The above post was from something I had written years ago but was brought to mind today to answer a question I had about the destruction of evil. The verse contemplated was

Hebrews 10:39
But we are not drawers back to perdition, but of faith to saving the soul.​

Acts 8:20
But Peter said to him, May your silver go with you into destruction, because you thought that you would acquire the gift of God through money.
Hebrews 10:39
But we are not of those who shrink back to ruin but of them who have faith to the gaining of the soul.​

Those who forsake the New Covenant to return to the Old Covenant are in danger of destruction just as those who seek to purchase the power of laying on of hands, in regarding Christ's blood a common thing and insulting the Spirit. Hebrews 10:27-31

Acts 8:18-19
But when Simon saw that through the laying on of the hands of the apostles the Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying,
Give me also this authority that on whomever I lay my hands he may receive the Holy Spirit.​

The destruction is of a person's deeds and work, not a destruction of life and limb.

1 Corinthians 3:15
If anyone's work is consumed, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire​

.

Meanwhile I was reading also some of the parables of Jesus about endtimes, and trying to sort thru them. What seemed to stand out for me is the difference between those of the world and those who belong to Him. His priestly prayer was not for those of the world. This is not to offend anyone reading this because I believe all seekers and believers are on the right path.

But what realization that I wanted to keep foremost is that our times of refining are now. Yeilding to Him will increase Him and decrease us. Wood, hay and stubble is meant to be burnt away now. Hell is not something we need even think about except to pull others from the fire.

 

[Cassia]

I posted this elsewhere but thought to repost it here:

The trinity definately is basic in the matter of securuty of salvation once obtained.

God the Father's work

Purpose of God,( basic to our Security ) Ephesians 1:4, Hebrews 2:10,
The Power of God (to keep and save) John 10:29, Romans 8:31-34,38,
Promise of God (basic to our security) John 3:16
Love of God (basic also to our security) Romans 5:7-9

JESUS CHRIST'S WORK

Provision of Son (basic to our security) Romans 8:1
(Author of eternal salvation) Hebrews 5:8-9
Resurrection of Jesus Christ (provision for our security) Ephesians 2:6
Jesus our advocate (basis for our security) Hebrews 9:24
His work as a Shepard (guarantee of our security) John 10:27-28, Hebrews 7:25, John 17:11-16

HOLY SPIRIT'S WORK

HIS INDWELLING (BASIC TO OUR SECURITY) Ephesians 2:22
Baptism of the Holy Spirit (secure and safe) 1 Corinthians 12:13, Ephesians 5:27
Sealing work of the Spirit (making us secure) Ephesians 1:13-14
************************************

To further exemplify this take a look at these verses

John 10:22-39

The Shepherd Knows His Sheep

22 Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. 23 And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon's porch.
24 Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, "How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly."

25 Jesus answered them,"I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me.
26 But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you.
27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.
29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand.
30 I and My Father are one."

Renewed Efforts to Stone Jesus

31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him.
32 Jesus answered them, "Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?"
33 The Jews answered Him, saying, "For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God."

34 Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your law, I said, You are gods?
35 If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken),
36 do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world,""You are blaspheming,"" because I said, I am the Son of God? 37 If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me;
38 but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him."
39 Therefore they sought again to seize Him, but He escaped out of their hand.


(Has God provided salvation, or has God just provided us with a chance for salvation to those who accept Jesus Christ as a personal savior?)
(Does God do a saving work for mankind? or does mankind contribute something to their own salvation?)

FALL FROM GRACE = REJECTION OF JESUS CHRIST

Galatians 5:4

4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.

1 Timothy 4
The Great Apostasy
1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,
2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,
3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

(Unredeemed mankind who hold to THE FORM OF GODLINESSS WHILE DENYING THE POWER THEREOF)

John 15:6 (keyword ABIDING)
6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.

(no truth behind their confession)

Hebrews 6 states basically that the record must stand and failures are not erased by going back and being saved all over again.

THE UNFAITHFUL LOSE REWARDS

John 15:2
2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

1 Corinthians 3:15
15 If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

 

[Cassia]

I think this scripture is the source of the reasoning behind purgatory ...

Romans 14:12
So then each one of us will give an account concerning himself to God.
Romans 12:3
For I say, through the grace given to me, to every one who is among you, not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think, but to think so as to be sober-minded, as God has apportioned to each a measure of faith.
Romans 12:6
And having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
1 Corinthians 3:13
The work of each will become manifest; for the day will declare it, because it is revealed by fire, and the fire itself will prove each one's work, of what sort it is.​​

Also the reasoning behind the Judgement seat of Christ

1 Corinthians 4:5
So then do not judge anything before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and make manifest the counsels of the hearts, and then there will be praise to each from God.
Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.​​

One needs to be reborn in order to abide in the Lord because otherwise it's impossible to bear fruit. Those who bear no fruit will be cut off. Abiding in Him places one in the position of being a disciple and being a disciple places one in the position of finding themself before the judgement seat of the Lord where each of their works will become manifest.

John 15:4
Abide in Me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.
John 15:6-8
If one does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is dried up; and they gather them and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.
In this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and so you will become My disciples.​​

It's in bearing fruit that the divine life is expressed thereby glorifying God.

John 8:31
Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, If you abide in My word, you are truly My disciples;​​

The main point is that rewards have nothing to do with eternity. Eternity is the one and only offer that God has made. Rewards are from Christ, the only one to whom the New Covenant is made, to those whomever He wishes according to His own standards. Peter lists the steps to maturity by moving forward from glory to glory as the mirror becomes clearer.


All of Revelation 2-3 speaks of being an overcomer and the rewards associated. That's the letter to the churches. It also lists the areas in need of change. Judging from the material I would say that those who are mature will
1. get to be involved in the age after the church age
2. those who don't overcome will have a diminished compacity in eternity (their works will have been burned)

Thoughts

 

[Josiah]

I think this scripture is the source of the reasoning behind purgatory ...

Romans 14:12
So then each one of us will give an account concerning himself to God.
Romans 12:3
For I say, through the grace given to me, to every one who is among you, not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think, but to think so as to be sober-minded, as God has apportioned to each a measure of faith.
Romans 12:6
And having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
1 Corinthians 3:13
The work of each will become manifest; for the day will declare it, because it is revealed by fire, and the fire itself will prove each one's work, of what sort it is.​​

Thoughts?

I don't think so. Although that's probably a different topic for another day and thread.

 

[Cassia]

I don't think so. Although that's probably a different topic for another day and thread.

I started a new thread here to find out http://christianityhaven.com/showth...-reasoning-behind-purgatory&p=95764#post95764

 

[Cassia]

Everything of our spirit and body is expressed through our soul as our personality. Therefore give no room for the flesh, or for pride of life, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind.

The heart then is the conscience of one's spirit plus the mind of one's soul. The heart is the administer for our spirit to express everything that is of the Spirit. And the soul, including what it feels from the outside, connects to the heart also where all things are pondered. Yet we do not always do as we ought to do so .....

Therefore at this great 'meeting of the mind of the heart' our true self is revealed to us.


Psalm 4:4
Consider in your heart upon your bed, and be silent.

Proverbs 4:23
Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

 

[Cassia]

Finding Truth in Line with Convictions/ what is sensitivity in finding God's will?

The first thing to ask in looking at an area of scripture in the new testement and also the old-
'Is there a principal or precept defined in God's Word?

A precept would be like a speed limit that is enforced. A principal would be a 'drive carefully' sign.
iow, one is foundational and the other a stepping stone.

Philippians 2:12-13
My dear friends, you have always obeyed God when I was with you. It is even more important that you obey now while I am away from you. Keep on working to complete your salvation with fear and trembling,13 because God is working in you to help you want to do and be able to do what pleases him.​

Be sensitive not to miss God's direction on this.

Jude 1:3
3 Dear friends, I wanted very much to write you about the salvation we all share. But I felt the need to write you about something else: I want to encourage you to fight hard for the faith that was given the holy people of God once and for all time.​

Feel the Master's hand and hear His voice within.

Proverbs 15:22
Plans fail without good advice,
but they succeed with the advice of many others.​

Seek council and accountability. (personally I find accountability in the age of Philidelphia 1800's theologians to whom Jesus had not a bad word to say)

Romans 8:6
If people's thinking is controlled by the sinful self, there is death. But if their thinking is controlled by the Spirit, there is life and peace.​

Philippians 4:6-7
Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks.7 And God's peace, which is so great we cannot understand it, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.​

Having the peaceful assurance.

Does my choice glorify God alone? Reflecting on:
His Holiness
Righteousness
Purity
Kindness
Truth
Love
His life?

Colossians 2:8

 

[Pedrito]

This thread focuses on aspects of predestination.

Predestination intermeshes with prophecy – God’s declaring the his purposes ahead of time.

It has been stated that “God's Wisdom in Christ is the mystery revealed.”

That is indeed true. But it is not the whole story. The revealed mystery has other important facets.

For example:

Matthew 4:11: “And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:” That mystery was expanded in Matthew 13. (Please look.) We see predicted, both that gentiles will be members of the church, and that the church itself (as observed) will grow into something corrupt. (Different from what you’ve been taught? Then put yourselves into the shoes of those to whom Jesus was making the specific revelations.)

1 Corinthians 15:51,52:
“51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”

Ephesians 3:3-6:
“3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:”

Romans 11:25: “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.”

==============================================================================================

Following those thoughts, and considering predestination in general, did God place a distinctive prediction (or even a noticeable hint) within the Law given to Israel, that Gentiles would become part of the future church?

If so, where and how?

Romans 15:4: “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”

2 Timothy 3:16.17:
“16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

 

[psalms 91]

For me Predestination is based on Gods foreknowledge of the choices we will make, therefore we still have free will but since God already knows the choices we will make we become predestined by them.

 

[Josiah]

For me Predestination is based on Gods foreknowledge of the choices we will make, therefore we still have free will but since God already knows the choices we will make we become predestined by them.

Predestination and foreknowledge are two different things.

Foreknowledge is the awareness of something that hasn't happened yet - but will regardless of my awareness. "The sun will rise tomorrow" is foreknowledge. "Mexico won't pay the the wall" is foreknowledge (lol)

Predestination is to cause something to happen.

Yes, for GOD these are inseparable since God knows EVERYTHING. But He cannot "know" what is not the case, so it would be impossible to know one is elect until that one is elect. Put it another way, God knows the sun will rise tomorrow because He's already caused it to happen: in time, predestination must proceed foreknowledge. For God, however, the two are inseparable and so may be stated in any way or order.



IMO, election is part of the MYSTERY of the doctrine of justification. We should affirm it because God clearly does, but it is best to lay aside our puny, human, fallen, sinful, limited brains in trying to "understand" all aspects of this. Justification is a MIRACLE and it is not mandated that God explains to us exactly how such was accomplished - even if we are SO egotistical to believe our fallen, puny brains could even begin to understand. But more important still, it is important to note that election is ALWAYS in the context of GOSPEL - with the purpose of to comfort Christians. It is wrong to twist this into Law or into something directed at unbelievers. Election must be seen in its context. And like all doctrines, embraced as MYSTERY. Remember: we are NOT told to be Correctors of God but Caretakers of the MYSTERIES of God.



Pax Christi



- Josiah

 

[Cassia]

Stewards of the Mystery are those who edify the saints for the purpose of binding them together in love. The method used is that of bringing forth knowledge of Christ and the church in due season. To be stewards of the mystery would mean those in possession of what the mystery means.

Colossians 2:2
That their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love and unto all the riches of the full assurance of understanding, unto the full knowledge of the mystery of God, Christ,​

Emotions of love for God as the mystery is revealed. And knowledge that is one with the mind of Christ. Eventually that will result in the full knowledge of Christ. Hence mind, body and spirit are at work in those who are in partnership with the Holy Spirit. Timothy was a steward of the mysteries revealed by Paul and he was instructed to pass those mysteries on to trust worthy people who in turn passed them on to those equipted for the meat of the word, having outgrown the milk that was elementary for babes in Christ.

Ephesians 3:4
By which, in reading it, you can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ,
Colossians 4:3
Praying at the same time for us also, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ​

We are the embassadors that the angels in heaven and upon the earth look upon to reveal that which is from Christ about the church.

Ephesians 3:9-12
..to shed light for all about the administration of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things. This is so God’s multi-faceted wisdom may now be made known through the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavens. This is according to His eternal purpose accomplished in the Messiah, Jesus our Lord. In Him we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.​

That which is unsearchable means that it's untracable, previously not made known. These are not doctrines. They are announcements of His riches for us, the church; Christ as light, truth, life, holiness, righteousness. Things He has for us, the accounts of what He has attained for us.

Paul deemed himself to be the least to recieve the grace to be an embassador of the mystery. Paul's gift was unique but the grace to achieve maturity is for all.

Ephesians 2:4-8
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us, made us alive with the Messiah even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace! Together with Christ Jesus He also raised us up and seated us in the heavens, so that in the coming ages He might display the immeasurable riches of His grace through His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—​

 

[Josiah]

To proclaim and make known the MYSTERIES of God means to make them known as mysteries, not to appoint one (always self) to "explain" them away or to appoint one (typically self) to correct God or say what God should have explained or to twist and spin things so that the "mystery" is replaced with a certain philosophy or theory or psychology.


Back to the topic: I affirm "election" exactly as Scripture states it, as as Scripture applies it (solely as Gospel). EXACTLY how it "cranks out" in justification, etc., etc., etc, is simply something I do not claim that I know..... For some 1500 years, Christian theology was called "Christian MYSTERIES" for a good reason.



- Josiah

 

[Cassia]

The wisdom of God is seen in the freedom that is only from Him. As Christ's disciples we are free because of the truth that we abide in.

John 8:31-32
¶ Then said Jesus to those Jews who believed on him, If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed;
And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.​

Any soldier in any army is fighting for freedom. Sometimes it's to take it away from others or to protect it, or to restore it to those who have lost it. But some freedoms this world cannot secure. Freedom from sins with their eternal consequences, freedom from helplessnes, or freedom from death. Jesus' audience that day were those who believed they had never been enslaved. Untrue as that was in view of Babylon they completely missed the point of being enslaved to the outward signs of religion and missing the things of God.

Galatians 5:1
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.​

There is no dependance in a return to Judaism, as Paul points out. As a schoolmaster it led us to Christ. The law is profitable for study to learn from it's examples. But that can't justify, nor will returning to it for justification result in anything but enslavement.

Romans 6:14
For sin shall not have dominion over you, for ye are not under the law, but under grace.​

We are to stand guard over our freedom so as not to have it eroded or ourselves enslaved again. Peter warns to do so may cause the final state of enslavement to be even worse than the first.

2 Peter 2:18-22
18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh and through much wantonness those who had clean escaped from those who live in error.
19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption; for by whom a man is overcome, by the same is he brought into bondage.
20 For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
21 For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they had known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
22 But it has happened unto them according to the true proverb: “The dog turns to his own vomit again,” and, “the sow that was washed, to her wallowing in the mire.”​

Jesus' words to the Pharisees of His day were in much the same context as Peter's. (Reading Peter in the Greek gives much more insight into his meanings) Never let the the modern version of Pharisee rob you of your freedom. Never let empty human philosophy of ism-ism's take your freedom away. They cannot save. Only the gospel can do that!

1 Corinthians 1:18-22
18 For the preaching of the cross is foolishness to those who perish; but unto us who are saved, it is the power of God.
19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”
20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save those who believe.
22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom;​

Worldly wisdom is constantly trying to entice us away from our salvation and the freedom that is in Christ. The Christian's answer:

"It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery."

 

[Cassia]

The Purchace of the Field and the Pearl of Great Price

Matthew 13:44-46
44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; 46 on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.​

God does not sell His favors. Whoever the original owners were it is apparent they were willing to sell. God's favors come in the form of gifts.

Isaiah 55:1
Ho, everyone who thirsts,
come to the waters;
and you that have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without price.

Revelation 22:17
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.”
And let everyone who hears say, “Come.”
And let everyone who is thirsty come.
Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift.​

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So let's familiarize ourselves with the events described in this chapter of Matthew:

The Field= the world ( Matthew 13:38)
The man = the Son of man ( Matthew 13:37)
The Treasure= the people who represent God (Exodus 19:3-5, Matthew 21:43)

(( I`d like to stress the point that He did not obtain the treasure until after He had sold all that He had. IOW propitiation was accomplished at the cross and resurrection not before))
(Further notes on this topic here> http://christianityhaven.com/showthread.php?3496-Wave-offerings-to-Pentecost&p=83946#post83946 )
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Let`s also look at to whom these parables were given:

Matthew 13:1-2 tells us that the first set of parables in this chapter were given to the multitudes, but in these last parables of the chapter He had dismissed the crowds and it becomes apparent that Jesus was speaking to His disciples only. Matthew 13:36
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In buying the field of the world Christ`s sacrificial death was predestined for all mankind, while His disciples are unto all and upon all who believe. 2 Peter 2:1, 1 John 2:2
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Let`s look at the field- Romans 9-11 shows that Israel is still a hidden waiting to be brought out of hiding and into the will of God. It was after His rejection by the Jews that Jesus spoke of `the Church``

While the church is the product of His Sufferings ... it is the pearl of GREAT PRICE. Romans 5:8, Matthew 13:45-46
Christians are the " riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints Ephesians 1:18

He found one pearl ... One body Ephesians 4:4 ... One in Christ Galatians 3:28 Every member is exhorted to guard that unity.

1 Corinthians 12:12-13, 20
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
20 As it is, there are many members, yet one body.​

The great worth is found in the medium thru which His glory is revealed unto eternity.

" Unto you who beleiveth is the preciousness"