The Gift of Predestination

"In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will" –Ephesians 1:11.

As soon as you become a child of God, your name is added to God's inheritance. We go from estranged children to legitimate sons and daughters of God –and that is how He sees us. This was God's ideal from the beginning, but sin caused a rupture in the relationship; sin fragmented God's perfect picture, and separated us from God.
However, God longed for us so much–His kin–that He condescended, taking flesh and blood in the form of Jesus Christ, so that He could bring us back home. The apostle Paul describes this marvelous event, saying that while Jesus possessed "the form of God, [He] did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross" (Philippians 2:6-8). God loved us so much that He was willing to come down to our level. Real love is self-sacrificing.
Before such an awesome display of love we cannot but declare, along with the beloved disciple, "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him" (1 John 3:1). This is a manner of love that we are not used to, but which should be replicated in the lives of those who become God's inheritors. It was God's purpose for you to live with Him, and He is doing all that He can to turn that into a reality. What do you think of that? Are you willing to accept the fact that He loves you so much that He was willing to give it all, even before you came into existence? Talk about endless love!
Our verse tells us that we were "predestined." Some Christians get caught up on the meaning of this word, and lose sight of what is most important. We can avoid the controversy (along with the useless arguments), by simply saying that God destined us ahead of time to become His forever. Why so? -Because as God, He knows the end from the beginning. Therefore He planned ahead of time, and was ready to launch His rescue mission when the time came for that.
In adoption processes, all parties need to be in agreement, otherwise they cannot be finalized. Same thing happens with us. God longs to adopt us into His family, but many of us refuse His offer, for whatever reason, and prefer to live Fatherless (and meaningless) lives. Meanwhile the Father waits, and He yearns for the day when we will yield and accept the bargain. Have you accepted Him as your Father, and have you thanked Him for all that He has done for you? May we take a moment today, and enjoy His Fatherly love.

Your friend,
Abner E. Aguilar

Prayer: Loving Father, I thank you for thinking of me, way before I was conceived. You have demonstrated your love for me, over and over again. Fill me with that kind of selfless love, and allow me to surrender to your care, today. It is my prayer, in Jesus' name –amen.