PREDESTINATION

Predestination means ,before ,to circumscribe by certain bounds or limit. Predestination also means that God ‘pre-destines’ what will happen –he sees, knows, plans, prepares, appoints and decides what will happen .

It is originally a geographical term and applied to anything determined ,demonstrated or concluded.

Here it points to God's fixed purpose or predetermination to bestow upon the gentiles the blessing of adoption of sons by Jesus Christ.Which adoption had been before granted to the Jewish people without circumcision or any other Mosaic rite.

The Jews held the view that they were the only ones elected by God since the law was first given to them. Paul was trying to mark that because of Jesus Christ even the Gentiles also stands a chance to be chosen just as the Jews were to become sons of God.Because of what Christ did not only the Jews are elected but we also.

It makes sense doesn't it?.This is what the bible says in 2Cor 5:18-19

18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

The particular aspect of predestination that is concerned with God’s salvation of sinners through Christ is commonly referred to as election (Rom 8:29-30,33; Eph 1:4; 1Pe 1:2). People receive eternal life, not because of their efforts to earn it, but because God in his grace gives it to them freely.

God makes the offer to all, but most refuse it; and God holds them responsible for their choice (Joh 3:16-19; 8:24).

Those who accept it, however, realize that only God’s grace has drawn them to the Saviour and given them the eternal life that God has prepared for them . Christ came to the world not for those who thought they were already chosen or elected but for those who didn't stand a chance,those who were not justified,those who were vile.

This is how 1john 2:2 also puts it.

2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

God Had this in mind , to elect us as his children even before the foundations of the world. He had predestined us to be his sons through Christ.Christ's coming was all his Divine plan to reconcile us back to himself. We can never come to God unless he calls us and draws us close.

Frankly it is not the fact that we realise we are sinful that turns us to God,but it is God in his mercy that awakens this awareness in us.The prime purpose of God is for everyone to be saved.(1 Tim 2:4) He has given man "free will" and choice to choose him.

God honors peoples choices to either refuse or accept Christ.(luke 13:34). His grace through Jesus Christ has been extended to all, it is up to us to respond to God's invitation.

Ephesians 1 : 4-6. 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,