Yeah...He [fore]knew all his elect by name in eternity and predestined them to be saved. Everyone He predetermined to give to Jesus is destined to come to Jesus in space and time.
So God yanked your head back.
Put a golden funnel in your mouth...
And, poured salvation into you!
Then He slapped you on your behind.
Made you born again.
And, then, sent you on your way?
God predetermined when you should be born and living on earth.
Because, if He predetermined that you were to be born during the Church age?
It would mean, He chose you in Him before the foundations of the earth to become the Bride of Christ!
That is what we have been chosen for!
Not chosen to believe.
But, chosen for what our salvation would entail,
because He knew (that with the help of his grace) we would want to believe.
Without grace, none of us could believe.
Grace divides and separates our souls from our depravity.
And, while under GRACE... He will have our soul made able to freely choose!
That is why it says...
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves,
it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
If we could do works to gain salvation?
Then salvation would have been of ourselves!
We are not saved by doing works!
(Works is in the plural!)
Meaning, "works" were divised systems of telling people the things that they must do to inherit eternal life.
Hence... "religion."
But, there is only one sole work alone that saves and God honors.
Not works!
But, one work.
And, this is that one work!
Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”
Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” (John 6:28-29)
Really. That is all it is folks!
One work (faith). Not works! "Believing."
Not, performing deeds assigned by men to gain the approval of God.
Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”
Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
Just one work!
Believe!
Saved!
.
