That's probably by he united us to Christ in eternity past, per Eph 1's teaching.
He chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world. Ring a bell?
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The answer is: He can't have an intimate relationship with fallen men without them being united to Christ.
And, how are the foreknown (who are in an intimate relationship with God) united to Christ?
Hab 1:13
Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrong.
That's probably by he united us to Christ in eternity past, per Eph 1's teaching.
He chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world. Ring a bell?
So are the elect united to Christ prior to having faith? How about united to Christ prior to the cross? If so, I guess we can just throw those out; we don't need them.
The only way we are united to Christ is by faith, and it's all Now for our Eternal God.
There is an eternal union of the elect in Christ . But you need to study
Eph 1:13
13 And 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,
Everything starts with the WORD. I see this plainly. There is no union with Christ without the Word FIRST. Union is impossible without a reciprocal action from the recipient.
...you also were included in Christ WHEN you heard the word of truth...
for God to "know" someone doesn't merely mean that he knows about them or their actions. it refers to an intimate knowledge, a relationship.
Relationships changeRom 8:29-30
For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
In your version those in relationship with God are predestined to be justified by faith so they can stand in relationship with God. But, if they already are in intimate relationship with God without justification by faith then they don't need to be justified by faith in order to have a relationship.
Congrats. By your confusing the general, outward call of the Gospel to repent and believe with the inward, effectual call of God that results in regeneration, you have effectively pitted the Bible against itself. Observe:
1 Cor. 1:22-24 says that every one called is saved.
Matt. 22:14 says there are people called who aren't saved.
So either the Bible contradicts itself, or your understanding is lacking. My vote is on the latter.
Jack, Jesus choosing 12 men for a specific purpose says nothing about salvation. Of course we believe that they were all saved except one, but even he had a major part to play.
The same way God "knows" people in these other verses:
Mat_7:23 And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you;
2Ti_2:19 But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: "The Lord knows those who are his,"
Amo_3:2 "You only have I known of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.
In these examples, for God to "know" someone doesn't merely mean that he knows about them or their actions. it refers to an intimate knowledge, a relationship.
When Jesus said "I never knew you" in Mat 7:23, he wasn't merely saying that he didn't about their existence or about their actions. Obviously Jesus knows everyone, even those who perish. Therefore when he "knows" someone it means to know them intimately, to be in a relationship with them. The same is true of Amos 3:2. God said "you only have I known". Obviously he meant much more than knowing their existence. God knows every family on earth, not just Israel. So what did he mean by saying "I only know you among all the families". Obviously his "knowledge" of them means to know them in a personal, intimate way.
This is what is meant by God "knowing us before" (aka, foreknowing us) in Romans 8. He set his covenantal love upon us from eternity past.
2Ti_1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
The Bible is consistent in teaching this truth
IMO, God alone makes us ABLE to hear the word of truth.
How did you have an 'intimate' relationship with God before the foundation of the world? To have a relationship, you MUST have at least two parties. Where were you before the world was created? Do you believe in some strange reincarnation?
If elect believers were in Christ prior to earth or Adam being created, then they were justified before they were condemned in Adam. This is not possible. The elect were first condemned in Adam and afterwards justified in Christ."Mystical union " the elect believer was blessed in Christ prior to the earth or Adam being created !
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