The basic message # E71
Romans 8:30
And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
Predestination is a topic that seems to always draw some hot debates, and I don’t care to use this message as a pulpit for predestination. The subject matter today is glorification, the state of our being when resurrected. I don’t really understand a great deal about this phenomenon, but all I need to know is that I’ll be a perfect being when I enter Heaven. Glorification is the finale of our life on earth, and it marks the end of the trail when we’re able to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Isn’t that the ultimate complement and vote of confidence?
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Gee, maybe now is a good time to talk about predestination, since this passage makes reference to the hope that “God may count you worth of his calling.” If we are truly predestined (chosen beforehand to be saved), it would seem like God would have decided before the calling that we were right for the task. I personally believe that the process of God’s “election” of the saints simply means that God makes salvation available to everyone. The idea that some are “chosen” by God to be receivers of Christ just doesn’t fit in with the concept of an all-loving and inclusive God. Think about this, the Jews were God’s original “chosen” people, yet plenty of them rejected him, and he in turn rejected them. Does that mean God was mistaken? Not at all- it simply means that while God is gracious, mankind isn’t always gracious in return. Sound familiar?
I find it difficult to talk about the concept of glorification, since by the time we reach this stage, there are no second chances, no turning back or redoing anything. The good news is that we will enter Heaven, but what about missed opportunities? We lose track of the thousands of times in our life that we’re called to witness without heeding the call. The Christian’s job on earth is to try our best to act as the Lord’s agent. How? Example: Two people in the office are gossiping about another person. Quiz time- Does the Christian say: 1. “Oooooh, I know what you’re talking about, and let me tell you something else he does.” 2. “I’m a Christian, and you’re both going to Hell if you don’t shut the Hell up.” 3. “Well, I know he isn’t perfect, but gee, neither am I. Gotta get back to work now.” I’m hoping you don’t have to use your lifeline to get an answer to this question. No, I don’t like to watch “Who wants to be a millionaire”, because I think it’s just another golden calf. How about a new show, “Who wants to be a Christian”? Naaah, it would probably get canceled after the first episode due to low viewership. Is this a statement about our society, since everyone seems to want to be a millionaire, but few are jumping at Christianity? Is that your final answer?