Bible Studies

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Would anyone doubt the salvation of the apostle Paul? Would you doubt that he was chosen by God for a specific purpose? There is no doubt that God had a plan for Paul long before Jesus stopped him in his tracks on the road to Damascus. A purpose to spread Christ to many people throughout his life and pen most of the New Testament. Paul's conversion from death to life was dramatic but it had always been the plan. A plan developed before the foundation of the world. The plan did not come to God's mind the day Saul was converted to Paul. He was chosen well before the earth was formed. A mind boggling thought is that while Saul was persecuting Christians he was already God's chosen vessel to preach the Gospel.
I would submit to you that our state as true believers was also purposed before time began. Our names written in the book of life even before God said, "Let there be light." We are also chosen by the Lord Jesus Christ for a purpose and a task. He chose Paul do do what he did. He has also chosen us and "saved us unto good works".
In Acts chapter 9, the Lord said to Ananias concerning the apostle Paul, "He is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel. This did not happen overnight. God did not devise this plan for the spread of Christianity a few days before Paul's conversion. This is how a large part of the world would hear about Christ. The root spread of the Gospel. God has work for us to do as well. These "good works" or service to the Lord were "prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them", as Ephesians 2:10 declares.
At the beginning of Ephesians and to solidify this unfathomable truth, Paul writes in the power of Holy Spirit this verse. Chapter 1 and verse 4 says, "He chose us in Him (Christ) before the foundation of the world. Does God know everyone who will be saved. The answer is a resounding yes. He knew and purposed this before the very foundation of the earth. The word of God is very clear and specific concerning this. If you are a follower of Christ, this is an extremely humbling thought. I think of the old song that says, "When he was on the cross, I was on His mind." Not only were we on His mind when he was shedding his precious blood for us, but we were on His mind before He ever created planet earth. An unbelievable thought. That thought gives me more of a hunger to serve the Living God knowing he purposed a job specifically for me to do before creating me. This also makes me want to live continually in service to God since He has a specific work and a specific plan for this life. A life He lives in us and through us by the power of the Holy Spirit. It produces a spirit of thanksgiving to the Lord for choosing us for His work. Thankful that He has set a plan in motion for our lives here on this earth. Why? Just because it is His will. It's His eternal purpose. Isaiah 46:10-11 says, "...My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure...Truly I have spoken and truly I will bring it to pass."
Were we stopped and blinded on the road to Damascus while Jesus himself spoke? No, but our status as a child of God is no different. Our task in bringing glory to God by surrendering our life and letting Him complete His work in us is no different either. We are a chosen instrument just like Paul. You could insert your name in the verse that says "______ is a chosen instrument of Mine". As true followers of Christ, our inheritance was sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. Paul's was. So too is ours. We need to stop living as if we don't have God's power in us. We have the same power that raised Jesus from the dead at our disposal. The apostles and those in the Bible that we consider super Christians or those that had the Lord with them, are no different than we are. We must desire to follow Christ, turn from sin, and live a life obedient to Him. The lives of those pictured in the word of God, can be our lives too. We should be invigorated knowing that our purpose began before creation. Let the awesome power of the Living God reign in us. We are children of God. The same God that was in the fiery furnace. The same God that parted the Red Sea. The very same Lord of Hosts that healed lepers, opened blind eyes, and raised the dead. That's the same power He will use in us. It's His good purpose and He will accomplish it. Praise God that His power is not limited to those in the Bible. He gives us the same faith to believe. The same power to accomplish His work. Remember that we were redeemed and sanctified for service before time began. How sobering and humbling. If He has this job for you to do, there is no doubt He will reveal it to you. Everything you need to accomplish it has already been provided. Ephesians 1:3 says, "...who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ". His perfect will and plan will be executed because He loved us and set us apart before the foundation of the world.

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