4For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5he[3]
PREDESTINED us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-- 6to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace 8that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9And he[4] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment--to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
11In him we were also chosen,[5] having been
PREDESTINED according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory.
Predestination to me is not the idea that God MAKES us do anything. It is the idea that God is all-knowing and KNOWS us better than we know ourselves. He KNEW and DECIDED (predestined) who His children were before He even formed the earth (see verse 4). HE CHOSE US!!! We do not even have the capability to choose God. IT seems, in our minds, as though we choose Him because we are ignorant humans and would love to give ourselves the credit for choosing such a wonderful God. Who can resist the awesome love of God, IF He is called? IT is crazy for someone that IS NOT chosen by God to even hear the message of God. This is not for man to judge mean you, I believe that we are called to at least share the message with every person we come in contact with, but not all are going to consider it.
18For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
God has SPECIFIC number of children, and that number can not be altered by man's free-will or power, THAT IS NUTS, and it isn't Biblical.
Does the Bible say that those who have unconfessed sins are going to be condemned? Nope. Does it say that unconfessed sins are a sin in themselves? Sure, something to that effect, but THAT IS COVERED BY HIS BLOOD TOO!!! The ONLY sin that will not be forgiven in the end is Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, pretty much spitting in His face! The Bible tells us that we will be held BLAMELESS in His sight through faith in Chirst Jesus.
Let me break down with words from Paul breking it down a looooong looong time ago:
Galatians 3
15Brothers, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. 16The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say "and to seeds," meaning many people, but "and to your seed,"[7] meaning one person, who is Christ. 17What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God (IT doesn't mena we should stop keeping the laws) and thus do away with the promise. 18For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise (it is no longer something promised to us but can be snatched away); but God in his grace (love without merit) gave it to Abraham through a promise (no strings attached, IT IS YOURS!).
19What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come (to keep us in-line until our Savior got here). The law was put into effect through angels by a mediator. 20A mediator, however, does not represent just one party; but God is one.
21Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law(you could only recieve salvation through NEVER sinning or sacrificing animals when you did). 22But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin (we are just too darn fleshy), so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ (AMEN), might be given to those who believe.
23Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith (which I might mention is also a gift from God) should be revealed. 24So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ (FULFILLMENT OF THE LAW)[8] that we might be justified by faith. 25Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law (We are NOT held accountable to the law, but to the faith we have in Christ Jesus!).
26You are all sons of God through faith( not the law) in Christ Jesus, 27for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed (covered up by Him) yourselves with Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus(God sees us as ONE, not many). 29If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
that in parenthesis is mine
What is sin? ANYTHING that separates us from God, right? Well what separates us from God? BREAKING THE LAW (God's law), right? Well we are not under law anymore, FAITH HAS COME!!! Jesus fulfilled the law, He IS the fuylfillment of that law that we were so long held in chains to. If you have faith in Christ then ther is no such thing as unconfessed sin, because HE DIED FOR THAT! DO NOT give yourself credit for what ONLY God can do. Read the scripture and don't read into it. Take it as it is, plain and simple. God does not hide His message from His children, but HE makes it a stumbling block to those who are not of His flock. Come on now. Blessings!
FOMWatts<><