God has chosen each one of us, knowing us and calling us by name, before the foundation of the world. When we consider this subject, we are bound to examine one of the most profound theological statements pertaining to life—that the Lord foreknew each of us.

Therefore, because He foreknew us before the foundation of the world, He planned the steps that He would take in His preparation for our life and eternity. This thought is developed by Paul in Romans 8:29-30: “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.”

God’s predestination is based upon His foreknowledge. These two theological words are inseparable. Because He knows all things, He plans everyone’s life accordingly. However, He gives each person an opportunity to receive salvation and eternal life. God does not predestinate anyone to hell. He bled and died on the cross for every soul. However, He knows who will embrace Him and who will reject Him.

So why did God choose us and what is the purpose of life?

(1) “That we should be holy.” Holiness means “being separate from the world.” Holiness involves a separation from worldliness, the works of the flesh and the devil.

(2) “Without blame.” The phrase means “without blemish” in the Greek. To be totally clean—where our mind, our will, our affections, our walk, our service—are washed through obeying His Word (Eph. 5:26).

(3) “Before Him in love” means that we have a love relationship with Him. We must never forget that the relationship between God (who is love) and His children is rooted and grounded in love. Just think of yourself as a parent. Would you be happy if your child is clean, has good manners, and is obedient to you, but he doesn’t love you? How would you feel? There would be no satisfaction or joy in your heart unless your child loves you. The thing that a parent wants more than anything else from his child is love. So it is with our Heavenly Father. What Hewants more than anything else is for us to love Him with all of our hearts.

God has chosen each one of us, knowing us and calling us by name, before the foundation of the world. When we consider this subject, we are bound to examine one of the most profound theological statements pertaining to life—that the Lord foreknew each of us.

Therefore, because He foreknew us before the foundation of the world, He planned the steps that He would take in His preparation for our life and eternity. This thought is developed by Paul in Romans 8:29-30: “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.”

God’s predestination is based upon His foreknowledge. These two theological words are inseparable. Because He knows all things, He plans everyone’s life accordingly. However, He gives each person an opportunity to receive salvation and eternal life. God does not predestinate anyone to hell. He bled and died on the cross for every soul. However, He knows who will embrace Him and who will reject Him.

So why did God choose us and what is the purpose of life?

(1) “That we should be holy.” Holiness means “being separate from the world.” Holiness involves a separation from worldliness, the works of the flesh and the devil.

(2) “Without blame.” The phrase means “without blemish” in the Greek. To be totally clean—where our mind, our will, our affections, our walk, our service—are washed through obeying His Word (Eph. 5:26).

(3) “Before Him in love” means that we have a love relationship with Him. We must never forget that the relationship between God (who is love) and His children is rooted and grounded in love. Just think of yourself as a parent. Would you be happy if your child is clean, has good manners, and is obedient to you, but he doesn’t love you? How would you feel? There would be no satisfaction or joy in your heart unless your child loves you. The thing that a parent wants more than anything else from his child is love. So it is with our Heavenly Father. What Hewants more than anything else is for us to love Him with all of our hearts.