"For He foreordained us (destined us, planned in love for us) to be adopted (revealed) as His own children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the purpose of His will [because it pleased Him and was His kind intent]-[so that we might be] to the praise and commendation of His glorious grace (favor and mercy), which He so freely bestowed on us in the Beloved."
Ephesians 1: 5 & 6 [AMP]
[Catching up on some posts]
So many Christians struggle with the doctrine of predestination because of the implication that would remove our personal will to accept Christ of our own conscience. However, what Paul tells us here is that the important ‘will’ is that of God Himself (“in accordance with the purpose of His will”). Gods existence is outside of time; my brain can’t exactly comprehend the aspect of God ‘choosing’ and me having my own decision. But, over and over again, we see in scripture that both these things exist. I choose Christ and God predetermined that I would. It also says that ‘anyone’ who seeks God will find Him. So, the place that the Lord has brought me in my understanding is that God knew before this timeline we understand, that I would choose Him. In the same way He already knows those who will not.
Application:
I believe that God’s Word is very clear on this topic. I also feel that everyone is on their own road of sanctification and there are doctrines like this one that take some time before the Lord not only reveals this truth but also gives confidence through the Holy Spirit on the fact of this truth (some of you reading this might have recoiled a bit here). I believe that Jesus gave us insight into this aspect of our growth when we seek after and follow Him…more and more will be revealed as the Lord increases our knowledge of Himself. Here is what Jesus has to say in Mark 4:22-25.
For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”