Ladymicah

Because one we are not natural children, nor are we by Old Law are part the Chosen generation as gentiles. The concept of adoption is encouraging because as adopted sons we are entitled to the same rights, benefits and inheritance as the natural born son.

To be holy is to be set apart for the use of God. To be governed and motivated by the purposes of God and not self. Stand blameless In Christ.

What's scary about predestination is according to my understanding you're either in or out. What comforting is that at this writing I'm SAVED. I know that God called my name before the foundation of the world to receive salvation and to be reconciled back to God. Paul realized from his Damascus Road experience how much Grace and Mercy he had been shown. As persecutor of the Church and an enemy of God he realized that it is due to predestination that his own life was spared. As for the Ephesians, Paul also realized that because of predestination the Saints in Ephesus had received salvation. That was the mystery God delivered to Paul in his revelation --he was to carry the salvation message to the Gentiles. This was a new revelation --according to the interpreters of the Jewish Law the message was for Jews alone. Because of the revelation Paul knew that gentiles were called too and because of predestination God had intended to reconcile both Gentiles and Jews back to God under on Spirit.

It reminds me of what Jesus spoke in John that the Father was in Him and He was in the Father. Also that my life is hid with Christ. When we receive Jesus we receive his Spirit so Jesus lives in us through the Holy Spirit. We have died to a natural life and live to the spiritual life and that Life is in Christ. The implications is that my focus shifts from being self sufficient to drawing on this new Life found in Christ for all my needs.

It reminds me of what Jesus spoke in John that the Father was in Him and He was in the Father. Also that my life is hid with Christ. When we receive Jesus we receive his Spirit so Jesus lives in us through the Holy Spirit. We have died to a natural life and live to the spiritual life and that Life is in Christ. The implications is that my focus shifts from being self sufficient to drawing on this new Life found in Christ for all my needs.

Hi my name is Micah and I'm from Berkeley, CA. I love studying the scriptures and Paul is a favorite of mine. Looking forward to the discussion