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| 010 Noni fruit |
“In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will…“ (Eph. 1:11 NIV).
Jesus invited us to follow him. Eventually, our journey stops in a Garden containing the winepress of God. Here, the strength of our will has an opportunity to die to all of its limitations and fears, even of betrayal and abandonment. Jesus experienced betrayal by one of his disciples; and ultimately, abandonment by his God, as he cried, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Afterwards, he was raised in glory!
In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve chose their will over God’s. Are we going to do the same, or, choose the way Jesus did? “Not my will but yours be done”. If we follow Jesus even in this, then our will—like his—conforms to God’s will. Now, God “works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will” so that we might “be for the praise of his glory” (Eph. 1:11 NIV)!
It is Christ in us, “the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27). Only “in him” are we predestined according to God’s plan. The result is that we who live, no longer live for ourselves, but for him (2 Cor. 5:15 NIV).
Our destiny is an immortal one because of whose image we are predestined to transform into (2 Cor. 3:18). We are, after all, saved through his life (Rom. 5:10 NIV).
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Scripture quotations from New King James Version (NKJV) unless otherwise noted; excerpts from our book to be released next year.
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