Is that God’s Word to us?—Jesus holding a rifle saying, “I love you unconditionally, but if you don’t love me back, I’ll torment you for all eternity?” Is there an “if” at the end of God the Father’s blessing?
Ephesians 1:3-7 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world.” In Greek, it’s “before the foundation of the cosmos.”
But do we believe it . . . really believe it . . . or do we believe that we have to do something to earn that blessing?
Maybe, truly as scripture says, before space existed and before time began—in a realm where words like “before” no longer work, in a realm where human language breaks down, God saw all of you, every choice, every sin, every decision, every flaw for which He would bleed and then fill with grace.
He saw the sin you’ll commit tomorrow.
He saw it all, and He made a choice.
He spoke Word, and it all sprang into existence.
You see? There is one choice that matters. There is one will that is entirely free, and it’s not yours. It’s God’s will, God’s Word, God’s choice, God’s blessing. We took the blessing on the tree. But God forgave the blessing on the tree. Indeed He predestined that blessing on the tree. In other words, “You have been blessed in Christ Jesus with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,” even as He “chose you in Christ from the foundation of the world.”
Children of God, do you hear this . . . do you really believe what Paul wrote?
Your Father has blessed you, and there is no “if,” other than the blessing itself. All of our decisions, all of our “ifs” exist within God’s decision, God’s “if,” a decision decided before the world began and revealed on a tree, as Jesus Christ called out, “It is finished.”
The decision…
The judgment…
The choice…
The election of God…
is finished.
You are predestined for every blessing. In other words, your Father says: I love you with all my heart. I will always be your Daddy, and you will always be my son, my daughter. And you cannot change it. The “if” belongs to me. I am free. I am the Uncaused Cause. I am love. And I have decided. I have decided…to save you.
Isn’t that incredible?
Isn’t it empowering, liberating, and comforting?
It’s amazing grace.
Believe the Good News! Believe the Gospel!
This devotional was prepared by Kimberly Weynen, Peter Hiett’s assistant. It is primarily a compilation of excerpts from Peter Hiett’s sermon titled “If.” It is just a small part of a much larger message. You can read, watch or listen to the full version here: “If”