2016. 09. 10. Saturday.
Predestination(Ephesians 1:3~5)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,
Hymn for scheduled worship: Korean/English Hymnal #453 More About Jesus Would I Know(#506 in previous version)
We call people whom God has saved children of God. A person who has become a child of God has already been predestined to be saved by God before the time of creation. This is the theory of predestination that explains salvation. Many Remnants know this but still ask many questions. Today we will talk about salvation and get our questions answered.
1. Theories about salvation
There are many theories for the term ‘salvation.’ First, there is salvation by deed that you receive by your actions. This is the theory that the Jewish faith, Catholicism, and many other religions assert. It means that we need to continuously live a religious life and give our service, devotion, and more in order to receive salvation. There is even a theory of God and people becoming one to work together to fulfill salvation. They are Christians but emphasize that the foundation of salvation is not Christ but actions. On the contrary, there is a theory of predestination that God’s children are chosen by God(Ephesians 1:4~5). Because we cannot do this by our own strength, God has already predestined it for us.
2. Calvin’s doctrine
Calvin who is a religious reformer of France read the Bible and defined it according to five contents regarding salvation. First, it is the total depravity of man stating that every human being was born, unable to receive salvation because of the Genesis 3 incident. Second is God’s unconditional election to save us without forsaking us. Third is the limited atonement that states that we can only receive salvation through Jesus Christ. Fourth is that God’s plan of salvation is an irresistible grace that no one can block. Fifth is the perseverance of the saints, which means that God’s salvation is eternal.
3. Word about salvation recorded in the Bible
God has predestined us before the time of creation and gave us a reason through the Word(Ephesians 1:1~5). We can find this in the Bible. He has called us before long ages past(Romans 16:25) and God called the ones He wanted(Mark 3:13). He has moved us from being under the law of sin and death to the law of the Spirit of life(Romans 8:2), and no one can block His salvation(Romans 8:37~39). Likewise, Remnants who have received realistic salvation must restart and begin a different life. It is because we need to live the life of the one whom God has chosen and called as the one who remains. Today, think about the salvation that God has given us by His grace and begin the life that He desires us to live.
[Prayer of the Evangelist] Creator God! I have confirmed my identity as the Remnant whom God has chosen. Help me to have the start that befits that identity today.
Remnant Study of Evangelism Lecture 81 / 2007. 04. 21.
[Bible Reading] Amos 9.
[Gospel Memory Verse] For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit(1 Peter 3:18).