Written by Pastor Jack Wellman– Max Lucado
You Were Predestined
Did you know that you were no accident? I have accidents, yes, but God? Never! Paul writes that God “chose us in him before the foundation of the world” (Eph. 1:4), and more specifically, “he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will” (Eph. 1:5). To make sure we understand this, Paul again writes, “In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will” (Eph. 1:11). Imagine that. Before the foundation of the earth was established, He “chose us in him,” which I simply can’t wrap my mind around.
Named Before Birth
The psalmist must have had this knowledge, too. Otherwise, why would he boldly write “for you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13). That was no accident either. Indeed, “this is what the LORD says– your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb” (Isaiah 44:24). Now, let’s go back before you were even in the womb, as Jeremiah writes, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations” (Jer. 1:5). Yes, this was about Jeremiah, as he was called to be a prophet, but God also knew us–before we were in the womb. That is simply incredible.
In the Book of Life
When the disciples came back with joy after Jesus sent them out, Christ said, “Rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20b). But what does this mean? It is just as Jesus said: “I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels” (Rev. 3:5).
You Were Foreknown
God obviously planned you because “for those who are called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28b) and “those whom he foreknew he also predestined” (Rom. 8:29). To make sure we get it, Paul again writes that “those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified” (Rom. 8:30). Make no mistake about it. You were called according to His plan and purpose. You who were predestined were the ones He called, and to make sure it’s abundantly clear, those He predestined He also called, those He called He also justified (through Christ), and those He justified He also glorified, though it is yet to come.
Conclusion
Jesus gave us a hint of our planning by God, as He said, “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world” (Matt. 25:34). So we know that you were predestined, you were known before birth, your names were written in heaven, and you were foreknown. Obviously, you weren’t an accident; you were deliberately planned.
