Senior Class Notes – October 13, 2019

Fall 2019 Unit 2 Session 1 – God’s Will and My Will. Romans 11:33-12:2; Ephesians 1:4-7 PSG p. 84 – 93.

October 13, 2019

The Point: Seek to align your will with God’s will.

Inspirational verse: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isa. 55:8-9). God appears 95 times in this lesson.

Ephesians 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: He hath chosen: from the Greek eklegomai; a combination form of “ek”, “out” and “lego”, “say, call, name,” this word means “to choose, select.” The voice of this term implies choosing for oneself, and in usage it is usually choosing one thing among many. This word is used when Jesus chooses His disciples, calling them out to be in His inner circle of followers (Luke 6:13; Acts 1:24). But primary use in the New Testament is to refer to the election of believers by God, in Christ, to salvation (John 15:16). We are called out from the world to belong to Christ (KJVWSB). The Bible often refers to those whom God has chosen as the “elect”; (Matt. 24:22; Roman 8:33; Titus 1:1). The sense of chosen indicates specific selection: in His infinite knowledge God chose each one of us for His purpose – to be conduits of salvation to the world (LG p. 87). The idea of divine election flows out of the important theme of spiritual union, for election is in Him, that is, Christ. The doctrine of election is one of the most central and one of the most misunderstood teachings of the Bible. At its most basic level, election refers to God’s plan whereby He accomplishes His will. The meaning of election is best understood as God’s Sovereign initiative in bringing persons to faith in Christ, resulting in a special covenant relationship with Him. This theme serves as a foundation to the entire opening section of Ephesians, which includes the ideas that God hath chosen us (v. 4) and predestinated us (vv. 5, 11). Paul’s focus on Christ-centered character of election is vitally important. Before the foundation of the world indicates the centrality of the gospel in God’s plan for history. Holiness and blamelessness are the results, not the basis, of God’s election (KJV). The salvation of humankind was no afterthought. God knew that human beings would be guilty and inveterate (habitual) sinners, so He provided a way for sin to be removed, the record cleansed, and perfect righteousness reestablished (KJVCRSB). The last two words of verse 4 – in love – may well belong to verse 5; the link between verb forms in these two verses is expressed in this rendering: “He chose us. . . in that He lovingly predestined us.” So the divine choice of verse 4 is further defined by the divine predestination of verse 5 (KJSB). In this instance – in love – the Greek agape is used. That love is a love that is by choice or one’s will, not just a sentimental feeling (KJVFSB). God is love, and love does not wish to live alone – by definition, love requires relationship. So God chose for Himself a people to be His own “special possession” (1 Peter 2:9-10) (JSB). Paul borrows the notion of being chosen, or “elect,” from Israel as God’s chosen. Before the coming of Christ, “election” into God’s chosen people was grounded in physical descent from Abraham. Now, however, we are chosen on the basis of faith in Christ, regardless of our ethnic or religious background (Galatians 3:28-29) (KJVTSB).

Ephesians 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, Predestinated – To have decided or determined beforehand. Used to describe how God planned in eternity how His will and purpose would be accomplished through both nations and individuals (Key Word PSG p. 86). Predestinate: from the Greek proorizō from which we get the English word horizon, a derivative of this Greek word. The Christian’s ultimate destiny or horizon has been fixed by God from all eternity: to be made like His Son. Note how the word predestinated is in the past tense. That is because God, from His eternal perspective, sees this process as having been completed already. From God’s perspective, we have been glorified already because He sees us righteous because of the work of Jesus on the Cross. But still, in the march of time, we must undergo the process of being conformed to the image of God’s Son (KJVWSB). Predestinated also means “marked out in advance,” “determined or appointed beforehand.” Prior to creation God appointed those who would believe unto [or, for] the adoption of children; that is, He appointed them to be His sons. This divine appointment was according to [because of] the good pleasure of his will; it was due not to anything good in ourselves, but due solely to His kindness. These verses stress the divine sovereignty in salvation (KJSB). Predestination as in Having predestinated us is not a cold-hearted determinism or set fate, but rather a loving choice on God’s part (KJVFSB). As adopted children, we are to be holy and without blame, like our new heavenly Father (KJVTSB). All of God’s blessings are in accord with sovereign predestination, which is purposeful and grounded in love (v. 4). Predestination refers to the consistent and coherent intention of God’s will, an eternal decision rendering certain that which will come to pass. Through God’s purposeful love, believers are adopted into God’s family. Adoption is the legal declaration that we are God’s children with all of the rights, privileges, and duties (KJV). Clearly, adoption indicates a new relationship. Paul said that God sent His son (Gal. 4:4) so that we could be adopted as sons and become heirs (v. 7). In Ephesians 1:11 Paul stressed that we are already receiving an inheritance because we have been “predestinated according to” God’s purpose. Of course, the final part of our inheritance will come in eternity (Rev. 21-22) (LG p. 88). God loved human beings so much that he chose to include them in His family – not only as servants or friends but as His sons and daughters (KJVCRSB).

Ephesians 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. The ultimate purpose of God’s redemption plan is that His glorious grace receive praise. Grace is God’s free favor to the undeserving. Believers are given grace simply because God is gracious (KJV). Praise: from the Greek epainos which means “to extol, commend, praise.” It is offering praise to God, honoring both what He does and who He is – His attributes. It is also used to describe commendation from God: “therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes who will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: then shall every man have praise [epainos] of God (1 Cor. 4:5) (KJVWSB). The reason God predestined us to be His sons (v. 5) is expressed in the words to the praise of the glory of his grace, that is, in order to magnify the splendor of His goodness to us. Wherein he hath made us accepted (Greek chariroō) in the beloved may also read, “which [grace] He has bestowed on us by the Beloved.” Through Christ we are the recipients of God’s unmerited favor (KJSB). The beloved: this title is messianic, referring to God’s son, Jesus (KJVFSB).

Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; {Verse 7 added to our lesson for clarification}. Believers have been bought with the price of Christ’s blood (1 Cor. 6:20; 1 Tim. 2:6; 1 Pet. 1:18-19) and have been redeemed from sin, Satan, and the misery of our sinful self. The result of redemption is a sending away or banishment of our sin debt, resulting in complete forgiveness (KJV). Redemption referred to the release of a slave or captive upon receipt of ransom. But the following words, the forgiveness of sins, show “redemption” is used here in a moral sense. Christians are therefore released from their enslavement to sin and the resulting divine wrath. Redemption is effected for us through his blood, that is, by Christ’s atonement secured by his death on the cross (KJSB). The blood of Christ is the means by which our redemption comes. The Old Testament and the New Testament both clearly teach that there is no forgiveness without the shedding of blood (KJVFSB). The cross is not a place of tragedy, but the site of the believer’s greatest victory. This is because it is the place where the Lord Jesus Christ took our sin debt upon Himself and canceled it with His blood – redeeming us forever. No longer did we have to bear the terrible penalty of our sins (Romans 6:23). No longer were we hopelessly enslaved by our transgressions (Romans 6:5-7). Instead, because of the riches of His grace on the cross, we have true, lasting freedom forever (CFSLPB).

Romans 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! Paul concluded his line of reasoning that Israel’s current unbelief is no argument against the truth of the gospel. He was moved to exclamations of wonder at God’s wisdom, power, and plan (KJV). Paul shows that God’s mind is unsearchable. At this point, it seems Paul stops preaching and starts worshipping (KJVCRSB). Wisdom: From the Greek sophia. (Luke 2:52; Rom. 11:33; 1 Cor. 1:17; Eph. 1:17; Col. 2:3). The Greek word sophia occurs often in the New Testament, and typically refers to the spiritual or intellectual capacity of human beings or even God. Judgments: From the Greek krima: This legal term describes the process by which the accused is determined to be guilty or innocent. It primarily refers to the verdict itself and is the word from which we get the English word “crime.” Judgements made by God and man are both referred to by this term. Unlike men’s judgements which can be incorrect, God’s judgements are perfect (Rom. 11:33), and He has the authority to render a verdict for all men at the final judgement (Rom. 2:3) (KJVWSB). Throughout these chapters, just as in Ephesians 1:3-6, Paul stressed that God’s sovereign will was being accomplished among both Jews and Gentiles. Paul carefully explained (Romans 10:4-15) that God’s salvation was freely available to all who were willing to confess “the Lord Jesus,” and believe in their hearts “that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9). As Christians we believe that the Bible is God’s perfect revelation of His truth. We want to understand every word of His revelation, but sometimes we struggle to grasp the full meaning. We want to be able to explain the roles of God’s will and our wills in obtaining His gift of grace. (As a gift of God, His grace comes to us freely; having nothing at all to do with our will or our abilities or our works, so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:9) (IMO)). Paul anticipated our struggle. That is why he wrote that as mere mortals we still only “know on part” and “we see through a glass, darkly” (1 Cor. 13:9, 12). In this verse, Romans 11:33, Paul described the infinitely superior wisdom and knowledge of God. He said that because of God’s unique perspective, all His judgements and decisions are beyond our full understanding. Paul described God’s judgments as unsearchable and His ways past finding out. Taken together they stress that, while God does reveal some of Himself to us, we can never fully grasp or explain God and His ways (LG p. 90-91). See Inspirational verse. We will never completely understand God’s ways or grasp why He does what He does (Isa. 55:8-9), but we can worship Him for the goodness, love and mercy that He has already shown us! (CFSLPB).

Romans 11:34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? Who would have foreseen what God was working out? Paul cited various Old Testament texts to express God’s incomprehensible purposes (Isaiah 40:13-14) (KJV). Isaiah 40 begins with words of comfort to God’s people. Then in the rest of the chapter Isaiah used a series of questions to picture the power, wisdom, and compassion of God to protect and comfort. Paul quoted from Isaiah 40:13-134 to show that God in His infinite wisdom has never needed anyone to teach or counsel Him (LG p. 91). He notes that people, as finite creatures, are incapable of fully comprehending the infinite God. Much of what we believe must simply be taken on faith. Yet that which we cannot grasp with our minds, we can entrust to God with all of our hearts (KJVCRSB).

Romans 11:35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? The question in this verse appears to come from Job 41:11 “Who hath prevented me, that I should repay him? Whatsoever is under the whole heaven is mine” as well as perhaps Job 35:7. One of the basic mistakes of the legalism of the first-century Jewish leaders was that they thought their outward display of keeping the letter of the law (while ignoring the true meaning of the law) would put God in their debt. That is part of the reason why Jesus called them hypocrites and blind guides (Matt. 23:13-30). One of the common reasons why some people today refuse to believe in God is they contend God did not give them what they expected in life or did not answer their prayers in the way they wanted. They think that God owes them. But God is never in anyone’s debt. God owes us nothing. Rather, we are accountable to Him and owe Him everything (LG p. 91).

Romans 11:36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. God is to be honored because He is the Alpha and the Omega – the creator, the sustainer and ruler, the goal of all things (cp. Cranfield, Romans, 2:591) {The book entitled Romans; by Cranfield, chapter 2 page 591}. God is the source of all things – of him; God is the channel of all things – through him; God is the goal of all things – to him; and Man’s only proper response to God is to worship Him (KJSB). For ever: From the Greek aiōn taken from the word for “always, perpetually,” this word means “forever; an indefinitely long period.” It does not refer to a specific condition but rather to a vast period of time or what we might think of as an age. Jesus used this word to refer to both the age of the world – the present age – and the age that will come after His Second Coming (Matt. 12:32; Mark 10:30). But this word is more often used as a synonym for eternity: “forever,” “forever and ever,” or “eternal.” (KJVWSB). Paul closed his doxology first by stressing what is so abundantly made clear in all of scripture: every part of the created universe, including life itself, comes of and through God (Gen. 1:1; Ps. 19:1; John 1:3; Rom. 1:20). Then Paul pointed to the ultimate purpose: to him, are all things. All that God has done and revealed to us is so that we can respond with the praise and glory He deserves (Rom. 15:6; 16:27). To whom be glory for ever. Amen. (LG p. 91).

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Our service entails dedication of the total person to living for God’s honor (KJV). By the mercies of God summarizes all that God has accomplished for the believer in Romans chapters 1-11:

In justifying the believer (ch. 1-5).
Enabling the believer to live a righteous life (ch. 6-8)
And being faithful to Israel (ch. 9-11).

That ye present refers to a definite act of presentation. The verb is used of offering a sacrifice that became “holy” under the Levitical system (cf. Ex. 29:37). This shows that the Christian life begins with total commitment and irrevocable presentation. Your bodies: The body has been an instrument of sin (ch. 6). Now it is to be presented to God as a channel through which the righteousness of God is manifested (KJSB). In light of the preceding discussion of a merciful God who will save Jew and Gentile, Paul issued a strong command: present your bodies a living sacrifice. God’s mercy deserves no less than everything. That is reasonable. (The Greek word is logikos, similar to logical.) (KJVTSB). In the Old Testament sacrificial system, the “job” of the sacrificial lamb was ended with its death. An individual or household selected an animal according to the dictated forms, and it was sacrificed to cover sins. Since Christ became the final atonement for sin, we no longer need the old system. But Paul is calling believers to consider their whole life as a sacrifice dedicated to God and His purposes, a “living” sacrifice, both holy and single minded (KJVFSB). Many people accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and never learn how to live a life that honors Him. But Paul encourages us to turn ourselves over to God each day, lay our wills on the alter before Him and ask Him to use us for His glory and the good of His people. In full trust and worship, we commit to obeying Him, knowing that the Lord knows how best to lead us – no matter what happens (CFSLPB).

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Be not conformed (lit., “stop conforming yourselves”): They are to resist being poured into the mold of the present thinking, value systems, and conduct of this world. This term is used only here and in 1 Peter 1:14 (KJSB). What God offers is not mere improvement but the radical transformation of sinners into saints, allowing them to exchange their filthy rags of sin for the royal robes of righteousness in Christ (Eph. 4:22-24). Holy living involves the body, mind, and spirit (KJVCRSB). Be ye transformed means changed from the inside out. This renewing of your mind will not turn us into black and white copies of each other, but into a vibrant rainbow of gifted servants (KJVTSB). Man’s mind has been darkened by sin (Romans 8:7-10; Col. 1:21) and must be brought to the place where it thinks as God’s thinks (Eph. 4:23) (KJVFSB). Christians are to be different from non-Christian society. We should experience a progressive transformation of life by the renewing of our mind. The mind is renewed or changed: (KJV).

By prayer in everything (Phil. 4:6-7).
By reading and reflection (meditation) on God’s Word (Ps. 119:1).
By worship (Ps. 95:6), and
By meditation on God’s acts as the Holy Spirit works in us.

God’s will refers to His purpose for the life of the believer. It implies His guidance or direction in all of life’s decisions. Dedication is an act of surrender or submission to His will for our lives whereby we become a “living sacrifice.” Daily dependence on God results in our transformation into the image of Christ (KJSB). This transformation is a lifelong process that will not be completed until we are with Christ (Phil. 1:6; 1 John 3:2) (KJVFSB).

References: Fall 2019

(CWB) – Commentary on the Whole Bible by Matthew Henry Copyright © 1960 by Zondervan Publishing House – Grand Rapids, Michigan.
(ETB) – Explore The Book by J. Sidlow Baxter. Copyright © 1960 by J. Sidlow Baxter. Published 1960 by Zondervan Publishing House – Grand Rapids, Michigan.
(IMO) – On occasion, with the prayerful guidance of the Holy Spirit, I will make comments of my own, based on my understanding of the events. I will indicate such times with In My Opinion.
(JSB) – The Jeremiah Study Bible, Copyright © 2016 by David Jeremiah, Inc. Using The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan.
(LG) – Bible Studies For Life – KJV Adults Leader Guide Summer 2019 Unit 2 Session 5
(NIVMEB) – The Ministry Essentials Bible, Copyright © 2014 by Hendrickson Publishers Marketing, LLC. Based on The Holy Bible, New International Version NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.
(NCBD) – Nelson’s Compact Bible Dictionary Copyright © 2004 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. with Scripture Quotations from the New King James Version of the Bible Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982, 1990 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
(NIVBTSB) – The New International Version Biblical Theology Study Bible © 2018 by The Zondervan Corporation. Text from The Holy Bible, New International Version Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. previously published as The New International Version Zondervan Study B
(NIVCBSB) – The NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible Copyright © 2016 by The Zondervan Corporation Text from The Holy Bible, New International Version Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. published by The Zondervan Corporation.
(NIVSB) – The New International Version Study Bible Copyright © 1985 by The Zondervan Corporation Text from The Holy Bible, New International Version Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by the New York International Bible Society.
(NIVZSB) – The New International Version Zondervan Study Bible © 2015 by the Zondervan Corporation. Text from The Holy Bible, New International Version Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.
(PSG) – Bible Studies For Life – KJV Adults Personal Study Guide Spring 2019 Vol. 6, No. 3.
(SEC) – Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible with Dictionaries of the Hebrew Bible and the Greek Testament words. Copyright © 1890 by James Strong. Based on the King James Version of the Bible
(TDNT) – Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.