Predestination (Phase 2)

.... Through "Predestination Phase 1", God chooses certain people whom He will draw to Himself through Christ, but this also presents them with a formidable new challenge. Since all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory, they are still reluctant to face the Light of Jesus because it would also mean facing the truth about their own sinfulness:

.... "For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God."

(John 3:20-21)

.... Yet the same passage offers them hope as God undertakes additional works for the purpose of drawing them near. This is "Predestination Phase 2". Because He prepares their hearts in this way, it will change them just enough to be able to face the light of Jesus without turning aside. In fact, when they eventually do come to Him, they'll look back on it all and see how His handiwork had helped prepared them for this hour.

.... "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth . . . He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment . . .."

(John 16:7-13 )

.... God sent the Holy Spirit to convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment in relation to Jesus Himself. Through this Divine effort, works of truth are initiated in the life of those who are called, that ‘he who does the truth’ may soon approach the light of Christ, and be saved. This is the step between their calling and their salvation. But still, in a practical sense, what will this effort actually look like, or what form will it take?

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.... The answer came to me one day as I was reading John 1:6-7, and one of those ‘unthinkable thoughts’ popped into my head. The passage spoke of John the Baptist:

.... 'There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe.’

.... "That’s almost sounds like a Divine characteristic." I caught myself thinking, "but of course, John was not Divine." But with that stray thought my understanding was suddenly opened, and a crowd of supporting Scriptures came rushing in. .

.... In those early days, before the Holy Spirit was given, people came to Jesus because of the ministry of John the Baptist. In other words, he was a forerunner of the Holy Spirit’s own ministry, a human representation of that ministry, which is an almost indescribable honor. And for this reason Jesus would say of John:

.... "For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist."

(Luke 7:28)

.... John prepared the way of the Lord and made His paths straight by turning the disobedient to the wisdom of the just (Luke 1:17). Like the Holy Spirit Himself, he would teach them of sin, righteousness and judgment, in relation to Christ who was about to come. In a practical sense he taught the fear of God, the need for repentance, truthfulness, a willingness to share, and the need for basic honesty (Psalm 15:1-5; Luke 3:6-18).

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.... Of course, no one was actually saved through John’s ministry. Nor was that the intention in itself. But by following the ‘works of truth’ that he preached, the listener's hearts was reshaped just enough to be able to face the Light of Christ when He came. Thus, when John saw Jesus and cried out, "Behold, the Lamb of God!" Immediately they were able to follow Him. (John 1:36-37).

..... So how might this working appear in our own time, now that the Holy Spirit has suceeded John and brought the fullness of this intention in being, and perhaps even personalized it?

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.... To begin with, those who are ‘called’ (though not yet saved) will begin to see a more focused emphasis on truth in their lives. Truth and it's sister, justice, will become increasingly important concepts to them, for in learning to appreciate truth they will feel inclined to act accordingly (John 5:33; 16:13).

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.... For some of us, this may be a long, subtle process, perhaps owing itself to a religious background in their lives, culture or family. For others, who grew up in a different environment, the change may be more pronounced. But as they seek to improve their behavior, their own, sincere pursuit will also demonstrate their personal limitations in achieving what is right, and thus their further need for Jesus:

.... "For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find."

(Romans 7:18)

.... Righteousness and sin will become subjects they think about too, and thoughts of an eventual judgment will sometimes worry them (John 16:8-11). But this will not occur with a sense of hopelessness. They will begin, instead, to feel the need for a change, with a growing sense of urgency. Often, during this period, they may try to feel better about themselves through avenues they already understand such as dieting, fitness clubs, trying to stop smoking, new forms of studies, or generous forms of social involvement. These and many other such initiatives may be telltale signs of the discomfort they are feeling due to the underlying conviction of sin in thier lives.

.... Can you think of occasions like those in your own life, before you came to the Lord? Or have you seen these signs in your family or friends? (If so, please add some examples in the 'comments' section). All of these deep, moody impressions are designed to get us thinking, and hopefully to respond, to prepare our hearts for receiving the gospel – which we will discuss in our next posting.

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Daily Bible Reading: Mark 5