Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries |
The Doctrine of the Divine Decrees. Part 4.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
ROM 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
HEB 2:9 But we do see Him who has been made for a little while lower than the angels, {namely,} Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor.
JOH 12:23 “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.”
(a) “Efficacious” = that which is directly wrought by God from His sovereignty.
(b) “Permissive” = that which is appointed by God to be accomplished by secondary causes or by the free will and action of agents (the free will of man).
Point 2. There are five characteristics of the divine decrees.
(A) The decrees are all-comprehensive.
Everything you think, why you think it, and the environment in which you think it, was all known to God in eternity past.
Although it may not seem to some of you that your life has been blended perfectly together by God, in heaven you will understand that it was!
God is perfect, so He gave you life at the exact time that He knew would be the best time and environment for you personally.
Everything you think, why you think it, and even the environment in which you think it, was all known to God in eternity past.
(B) The divine decrees are eternal.
Omniscience means God knew simultaneously everything that ever was or will be in their causes, conditions, successions, and relations.
The decrees are the eternal and simultaneous knowledge of omniscience expressing the will of God by which all things are brought into being and controlled and are made subject to His divine pleasure, and result in His eternal glory.
(C) God is perfect; therefore, His decrees are perfect.
JOH 13:7 Jesus answered and said to him, “What I do you do not realize now, but you shall understand hereafter.”
DEU 32:4 “The Rock! His work is perfect, For all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and upright is He.”
(D) The decrees are unchangeable and certain.
God is never caught “not knowing” something.
(E) The decrees are the free choice of God in eternity past.