Whom or What

Anyone who seriously reads the Bible knows that it teaches something about the doctrine of election and predestination. Paul (a Jew) told the church at Ephesus (Gentiles) that they were chosen (same word as elect) in Christ before the foundation of the world and predestinated unto the adoption of sons (Ephesians 1:4-5).

Some try to explain (possibly away) this truth by saying that God foreknew that those whom He elected would believe on Christ or do other good works, and chose them on the basis of WHAT He knew that they would do.

Friends, this is not God’s choice of the sinner; this is ratification of the sinner’s choice, and is salvation by works slipping in the back door.

In Romans 8:29 it is not said that WHAT He foreknew, but WHOM He foreknew, He predestinated to be conformed to the image of His son. This word, foreknew, indicates an intimate and loving relationship. Its root is used to describe the most intimate relationship between a husband and wife. In Matthew 7:23 Jesus tells how that in the day of judgment he will say to some, "Depart from me, ye that work iniquity; I never knew you." He is not saying that He does not know about them; He has never loved them in this intimate knowledge.

So, we can plainly see that God’s predestinating election of sinners to live with Him forever is not based on WHAT He foreknew, but WHOM He foreknew. It is not of works (real or foreseen), lest any man should boast (Ephesians 2:1-10).