TUESDAY August 1, 2023

God’s Omniscience

“Known to God from eternity are all His works. Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God, but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood. For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”
Acts 15:18-21

God knows everything, past, present and future––eternity! Interestingly, from before the foundations of the world, God planned a way for mankind to be saved. The way for man’s redemption was accomplished through Jesus’ finished work on the Cross. God knows all those who are going to accept His plan of salvation through Christ and be saved. How can that be? God is omniscient all-knowing.

Listen, God gives every person an opportunity to be saved, but not everyone chooses His way to be saved. It is the hardness of man’s heart that keeps a person from believing in Jesus Christ for their salvation. Yet God is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9 KJV). In His mercy, God gives everyone the chance to respond to the Gospel message, right up until the end of their lives––until their very last breath.

James, in wisdom, continued to say to the Jerusalem council, “Why should we make the Gentiles stumble? God is doing a great work! They have been saved by faith. Are we really going to tell Gentile believers to make a line and get ready to be circumcised?” Can you imagine? They would say “Forget you, I am leaving!” James’ advice was to leave them; alone. It was not the outward work of circumcision that would save them, it was the inward work of God. The Holy Spirit was working in the hearts of these Gentile believers––the Spirit had brought them to Christ.

James suggested that the Gentiles abstain from meats that were not drained of its blood or offered to idols, and from sexual immorality. Sex was designed by God for marriage. Like the Gentiles, we cannot continue in the ways of this world. We are to be a holy people––separated to God.

Regeneration is a work of the omnipotent power of God, power that nothing can overcome or resist.
~R.C. Sproul~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!