Msg #2608 Good Predestined Conformity

Msg #2608 Good Predestined Conformity

What The Bible Says

Good Samaritan’s Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

“We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Rom.8:28). To qualifiers on this tremendous promise are that it is for “the called according to his purpose” and that they are in the position where they “love God”. The next sentence gives the why-so for this promise, and it starts with the conditions that God knows them; Jesus had clarified that there will be many that will hear “I never knew you: depart from me” (Matt.7:23). For the ones God “knew before”, however, they are presently predestined to be conformed to the image of God’s Son. Why? That God’s Son might be the first born among many brethren. Before looking at the “but wait, there’s more” of the next sentence, one needs to know that since its inception, the Catholic Church’s doctrine of predestination, the foreknowledge of God, and the election of saints, has been in complete opposition to what the Bible says. They errantly, suppose that everything that happens in life is laid out in God’s “for knowledge” and every act and consequence is “predestined” to happen, period. Such fatalism is nowhere found in the holy Bible. There, the prayers of man can change the heart of God, and prayer changes things; there “whosoever “is found 163 times and “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” … and the book’s closing says, “And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Rom.10:13, Rev.22:17). With that truth in place, look at that third sentence, that predestination is for the saved and further they will be glorified (Rom.8:32). “Things” happen, but when you are “in” Christ, God works them together for good. PTL.

An Essay for week #8 Feb 22, 2026
Msg in audio at www.GSBaptistChurch.com/audio/gs260222.mp3
A Systematic Theology www.GSBaptistChurch.com/theology
Israel Tour Journal www.GSBaptistChurch.com/israel22
Penny Pulpit Blog www.gsbcpastorrice.wordpress.com

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