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One New Man

God’s Purpose in Election

By R.S. Neaville

 

Part 1: From the Foundations of the World

  

God’s true plan for mankind and in fact for all creation can be realized in one Bible passage.

 

1 Peter 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers: 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

 

From this we can see that Jesus was the true man that God always intended. He was manifested though long after his ordination. He was manifested according to God’s will and purpose.

 

Ephesians 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

 

Romans 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

 

Galatians 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

 

Through this we see Jesus who was pre destined to be our savior even before creation was founded. That he was manifested at a certain time of God’s choosing. This shows it was always God’s plan to justify us through Christ not Adam.

 

 

Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ::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,

 

We have in this set of biblical assurances that this was God’s plan all along. It was always his will that we be adopted out of Adam and in to Christ Jesus. This means that Jesus was always the man that God intended and that Adam was only a figure of he who was to come: A forerunner. This reveals to us God’s plan and pattern in creation and revelation. First comes the physical and then the spiritual.

 

Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

 

In the same way that sin and death came into the world through the physical man Adam, so righteousness and eternity comes through the new man Christ.

 

Romans 5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

 

Christ and Adam are in fact standards. One is a shadow or figure that testifies to the one that is eternal. One is a picture and the other is what is pictured. One is a prophecy of the other.

 

1 Corinthians 15:42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption::43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. 46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. 47 The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven. :48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

 

So we see a pattern here. The physical comes first because it testifies to what comes next. The physical things testify to spiritual things. The physical is just temporary…the picture. The spiritual is the real. The physical must pass away and the spiritual is the eternal.

 

 

Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

 

2 Corinthians 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

 

This pattern shows the truths of the spirit even up to God’s very nature. The things that are seen are pictures of what cannot be seen. The picture is the temporary the realty is eternal.

 

 

 

Review Questions

 

 

1.      Was Jesus ordained from the worlds foundations?

2.      What verse tells us that Adam was a figure of he who was to come?

3.      What was the mystery of God’s will now revealed to us?

4.      How does Adam mirror Christ? Discuss this with the class.

5.      Who is the man God always intended?

 

 

 

Part 2:The last will be first, the first will be last

 

 

This is the pattern of both creation and revelation. What comes first is physical what comes next is eternal. We see this pattern in every set of brothers. Cain and Abel, Ishmael and Isaac, Jacob and Esau, Peres and Zera, Manessah and Ephraim.. The first son is rejected, the second accepted. The first son is a picture of the flesh and the second of the spirit. The first persecutes the second. The first exalts himself and is humbled. The second humbles himself and is exalted. All these figures lead us to Adam and Christ. Our understanding comes the same way; first we understand physically then spiritually. This figure is displayed in John the Baptist and Jesus. John said:

 

 

Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

 

 

John says “I come first but I am preferred last” and “ I baptize with water but he who comes after will baptize with fire and the Holy Ghost”. John was the forerunner of Jesus as the physical is to the spiritual.. He may come first but says Jesus is greater. All of these things that John says of himself and Christ are true of Adam and Christ, the physical and the spiritual.

 

 

John 3:28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. 29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease. 31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.

 

Just as Adam must decrease and Christ must increase in us this was true of John. When the spiritual arrives on the scene then the physical decreases. The flesh speaks as one from below and the Spirit speaks as one from above. When Jesus came in his ministry John’s ended. Do you see the pattern? The last will be first and the first will be last. This is true in creation and in revelation. John’s ministry was prophetic and temporary. Christ’s Ministry is eternal. This is also the nature of the physical and how it testifies to the spiritual.

 

 

Matthew 14:6 But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod. 7 Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.:8 And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger. 9 And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath's sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her.10 And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.

 

 

Romans 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

 

Hebrews 7:22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. 23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: 24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. 26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

 

2 Corinthians 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

 

 

As John and his ministry were temporary so Christ’s is eternal. As John’s ministry ended so must the first covenant so that the second covenant may be established. As Adam the old man dies so Christ the new man endures forever. The man God always intended from the foundation of the world.

 

 

Hebrews 8:1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; 2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. 3 For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.:4 For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: 5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount. 6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. 8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:

 

Hebrews 8:13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

 

Ephesians 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

 

Colossians 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. 16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

 

Like the old man Adam, the old covenant is done away with to make way for the new. One was a shadow and the second is the reality.

 

 

Romans 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.:7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.:8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him::9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

 

The pattern is more than a little apparent. This shows God’s will and his purpose from the beginning: Before the foundations of the world.

 

 

Review Questions

 

1.      Can you see the pattern in Ishmael and Isaac?

2.      Can you see the comparison between Adam and Christ and the old and new man, and the old an new covenants?

3.      According to this, are Christian believers under the law of Moses?

4.      Can you see this pattern in your salvation? Discuss this with the class.

5.      Does all scripture show this pattern?

 

 

Part 3:Ephesians1

 

 

     To address the true biblical study of predestination and God’s true sovereign plan the Chapters of Romans 9 and Ephesians 1 from Paul’s epistles show the truth plainly. Through these we can follow a clear scriptural concept that shows mankind’s true predestination was to be adopted out of Adam and into Christ. This was always God’s plan for us. Adam was a forerunner, a transition from one form to another. This transition takes us from temporary to eternal , from prophesy to fulfillment of prophecy, from physical to spiritual.

 

 

Ephesians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 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, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

 

    The above passage of scripture makes clear that you as an individual were not chosen from the foundation of the world but rather that we ( mankind) were chosen in Christ from the world’s foundation to he held holy and blameless through Christ! In other words we were always meant to be justified in Christ not Adam! Our predestination as the descendants of Adam were not ever meant to remain physical, but to become spiritual through the justification of Christ’s sacrifice. We were to be adopted in the fullness of time out of Adam and into Christ through his sacrifice. The “we” become those of us who are Christians because we are the ones of mankind  who accept and receive  and believe in the sacrifice of Jesus the Christ.

 

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

 

That power is the earnest of the Spirit, a deposit of God’s Spirit if you will; the promised Holy Spirit. As Ephesians 1 tells us.

 

 

Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

 

    This is the mystery of his will now revealed in Christ Jesus his son; revealed in the fullness of God’s time and plan. The physical Adam is a sign or a figure of he that was to come. Jesus , the man of the spirit was always the man God intended. The transition of Jesus through the resurrection from the likeness of sinful flesh to the Glory of his resurrected state shows God’s plan for mankind clearly and plainly.

 

Romans 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

 

Galatians 4:1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; 2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. 3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: 4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

 

Hebrews 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

 

    Compare all the above verses with the below verse from Ephesians 1

 

 

Ephesians1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

 

 

    This is the mystery of his will revealed to us ..God had set a time for Jesus to come to die and so redeem us, to adopt us out of Adam and into Christ by his sacrifice. This was the true predestination of mankind from the foundation of the world.

 

Revelation 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

 

 

    Now that Jesus has come and sacrificed himself to redeem us, to adopt us God’s plan from the beginning is revealed through him. As we have walked in the nature of Adam now we must be transformed to the image of the resurrected Christ.

 

 

1 Corinthians 15:42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.:46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. 47 The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven.:48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

 

It is a clear truth. It was always Gods plan to adopt mankind in to Christ. Adam was only a figure or prophesy of he who was to come. You as an individual were not predestined. We were predestined as mankind to be adopted into Christ through his sacrifice. So it is only “we” of mankind who receive him and believe in his name that are given this choice.

 

 

 Romans 5:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come

 

 

 

John 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: John 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

 

Matthew 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

 

Matthew 12:50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

 

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

 

     It is easy to see from the above verses that any of mankind who believes in Christ can be adopted into his predestination of eternal life. You are given the power to choose through Jesus’ sacrifice. So when were the Ephesians included in this predestination? From the foundation of the world?  No!  Rather when they received him and believed in his name…

 

Ehesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

 

 

 

Review Questions

 

  1. Who is the “us” The Apostle Paul speaks of in Ephesians 1:3 ?
  2. What is the predestination for mankind?
  3. What is the mystery of God’s will spoken of here? Discuss this with the class.
  4. How is the resurrection of Jesus proof of God’s plan for man?
  5. Is it God’s sovereign will to give you a choice to receive Christ?

 

Part 4: Romans 9

 

  

    In this section we will deal directly with God’s purpose in election and discover that his purpose according to the spirit is displayed in the physical. The true however is the spiritual in all things. This truth between shadow and reality is no where better revealed than between Israel according the flesh and Israel according to the spirit.

 

Romans 9:6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel::7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.:8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. 9 For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son.

 

    The point Paul is making here is that just because the physical people, that is Israel according to the flesh rejected Christ does not mean that God’s word to them had failed because the true people of the true Israel are the ones who enter in through faith according to the spirit not fleshly claims to be Abrahams descendants. “In Isaac” means according to the child of promise or in other words the child that came from God keeping his promise. Not the fact that Isaac was Abraham’s physical son. If Israel was counted through Abraham’s fleshly seed then Ishmael would have been how Israel was counted because he was the firstborn of Abraham’s loins. No the seed to which is referred here is Christ Jesus. Isaac was only a figure of him as one who came second but was counted as first. One that only God could produce apart from fleshly effort or work or human desire.

 

 

Galatians 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

 

 

    So the true children and heirs of Abraham are those who enter into God’s favor through faith in Christ. Those are born of imperishable seed…the seed who is Christ and Lord.

 

Galatians 3:22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

 

Galatians 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

 

 

 

    Sarah is a picture of the spiritual and before Christ was born mankind was barren according to the spiritual. He could only produce fleshly Children. Hagar, Ishmael’s mother could produce according to the flesh while Sarah was barren. But in God’s plan more are the children of the barren than those of the married wife.

 

Galatians 4:22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. 23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. 24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. 25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. 26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.:27 For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.

 

 

    The above verses reveal that Sarah pictures Jerusalem according to the spirit and Hagar is Jerusalem according to flesh. The fleshly children are in bondage to the law and so sin, but the spiritual children are above and free. All men were of flesh and sold to the slavery of sin until Christ was sent. This shows the difference between the old and new covenants. Once the spiritual was barren but now through God’s promise at the appointed time she has bore children. The first of those children of the Spirit is Christ who is represented by Isaac. Now it is clear what Paul was saying in Romans 9:9

 

 

Romans 9:9 For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son.

 

     That son was Jesus and he came by God’s promise. He was fore ordained before the world’s foundation but was manifested at the proper time of God’s choosing. So we see that the promise of Isaac to Abraham was the promise of Christ. This is why we must be born again according to the spirit to enter into God’s kingdom through Issac , not Ishmael: through the spirit not the flesh.

 

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

 

John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. John 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

 

 

Romans 9:10 And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; Romans 9:11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) Romans 9:12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. Romans 9:13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

 

 

    Jacob and Esau tell the story of God’s purpose in election in the same way. Esau was first but became last. Jacob was last but became first. Esau pictures the flesh man and Jacob the spirit. The flesh is rejected and the spirit accepted. Jacob ended up with both the birth right and the blessing. Esau lost it all to be replaced as first by his brother. Esau pictures self sufficient flesh and Jacob pictures the dependant spirit. It was not only a fact physicaly that the people of Israel did rule over Edom (Esau), but also that is true spiritually. The spirit rules over the flesh and is stronger than the flesh in God’s kingdom and in his purpose in election. God saying “Jacob have I loved and Esau have I hated” is not just about the physical men but what these men represent. God loves the spirit and hates the works of the flesh. God’s purpose in election is and always has been according to the spirit. 

 

John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

 

 

 

    Do you see the pattern? First comes the physical and then the spiritual. The physical is rejected but the spiritual is accepted. The physical is redeemed at the last. “ The last will be first and the first will be last.” This is the pattern because it is God’s purpose in election.

 

Romans 9:14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. 15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

 

 

    It is not just arbitrary on God’s part to choose one man over another. He has had his purpose since before the creation. These men represent his purpose in election. He has compassion according to Jesus, the new man. He is the man God sought to produce. One who could worship in the spirit and in truth. Adam was never that man. He was only a transition, a figure and forerunner of that man. The picture is meant to pass away, but the real is eternal. So God’s mercy is according to the spirit and Christ, not the flesh and Adam. The physical must pass away.

 

 

 

 

Romans 9:17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. 18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. 19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? 20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?:21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? 22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,:24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

 

     God demonstrated his plan and his power through the physical but it is only to reveal the spiritual. Now the question is are we going to question God’s methods? This is and was God’s chosen method of creation and who can question it? It is a fact that the physical is an object of wrath and the flesh a vessel of dishonor (Adams corrupt body). It is a fact that the spirit is an object of mercy and a vessel of honer ( Jesus’s resurrected body). And think about it…hasn’t God demonstrated his will, his plan and his power through both? Amen!

 

 

 

Review Questions

 

 

  1. What does it mean “In Isaac shall your seed be called” ?
  2. What do Sarah and Hagar represent?Discuss this with the class.
  3. What do Jacob and Esau represent?
  4. What does it mean “ Jacob I have loved but Esau I have hated”?
  5. What does this study tell you about God’s purpose in election?