What an interesting study! I must admit that I’ve learned quite a lot! I agree that the passages you referred to in Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Romans are absolutely unconditional promises. It’s interesting that some of these promises will not actually be fulfilled until the millennium, and they are definite proof of our Father’s unconditional love.
Also, I totally understand the concept of unconditional election if it applies solely to this flash age we’re living in today. Like you say, before the foundation of the world, election may have been conditional. You’ve given me a lot to mediate upon. Thanks! —Selah
Actually, "they are definite proof of our Father's [sacrificial] love for his people. God's love for his elect is conditioned on the obedience of the Son! God
cannot love sin or the sinner. And he can't love the latter because sinners' hearts are the wellspring of evil. There's nothing good in a sinner's heart or his unregenerate nature. This is another very hot, highly disputed, uber-controversial topic in the church, and as such it deserves a thread of its own. But I'll just give two mind-blowing passages for you to contemplate and perhaps these will also encourage you to take up your own study.
John 10:17
17
The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life — only to take it up again.
NIV
In other words, the reason the Father loved his Son is because Jesus was obedient unto death (Php 2:8).
And,
Rom 8:39
39...
neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
NIV
Far too many Christians gloss over this text completely missing a profound truth. I think most just interpret the passage as though Paul stopped at the phrase "love of God". In other words, nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God...Period! But Paul didn't stop there! He actually
qualified God's love with the bolded phrase at the end. The immeasurable love that God has for his saints comes in and through Christ Jesus -- who just happens to be the Federal Head of the Church -- of His Body -- of all God's elect. In eternity God loved all his elect on this basis of Christ's Federal Headship, and of course the Son's perfect obedience in all things all the time.
And I'll share one more text because of its profound implications. This is the kind passage one must prayerfully meditate on in order to get to the meat of what is being taught. I love this passage!
Titus 1:1-2
1:1
Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God's elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness— 2 a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time,
NIV
The phrase I want to focus on is bolded. The question begging to be asked is: To whom did God make this promise before the beginning of time? It can't be us, for none of us were around before time began, were we? This promise could have only been made to the Son in eternity -- in eternity when God predestined all his elect for salvation. So...because all God's saints
share in Christ's inheritance, Paul is really saying that because of our position in Christ we even share in the promises God made to Him before the world began. We are recipients of those promises by virtue of our identity with Christ -- who, again, is our Federal Head.
It's no wonder Paul could also say,
"For from him and through him and to him are all things" (Rom 11:36).
Anyhow...lot's to chew on, sister. But I am very joyful that you're beginning to see some very profound gospel truths.
