February 19, 2017: We Are Meant For This – Michael Hidalgo

There are some who choose to use verses like this to argue for predestination; it appears to be obvious from what Paul is writing here that God chose us and predestined us. Fair. But two questions surface in that: first, chose us for what? second, what does predestined mean exactly? Good questions; thanks for asking. 

First, chose. Too often we consider the idea of being chosen by God as an election to privilege. Perhaps this is why some claim God elects some for heaven, and some for hell. But Paul claims we are chosen to be holy. And holiness means to be set apart for a specific use by God. And we are elected to that … to be used by God for his purposes. To join him in his work!

Second, predestined. Have you ever said to someone, “You were meant to do this?” You say that because you have seen their life, their gifts, their passion, their interests, their heart and now see what they are doing with all of it? It’s as though everything comes together and it’s clear … this is what they were created for? Paul seems to point to God’s activity in this world as something that invites us into something bigger and into living out who we are. To join God in his pleasure and joy … by doing what we were created to do! Thank God!