God's Acts of Creation are the result of Fore-ordination, Election, and of Predetermination.
Now, I ask you, Would Man be so foolish, as to suggest that God created without a plan/
There is a Primary, and a Secondary Creation.
Primary Creation is seen in Psalm 148;5--''Let them praise the name of the LORD; for he commanded, and they were created.''
Primary Creation must be viewed in the light of Divine Intelligence. The Creation, which was formed by Divine Intelligence, became the external Reality of God's absolute power.
Secondary Creation belongs to the province of God's Providence. Here, again, Divine Intelligence is clearly manifested.
We don't deny The Laws of Nature, but, there is, in the course of Nature, a varied and a ever-varying stream.
No 2 events, or objects, are exactly alike. This proves Divine Intelligence is actively engaged, in the work of Providence.
God's creation is for His own pleasure-Romans 11;36-''For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things; to whom be glory for ever. Amen.''
All things are ''Of God'' by Creation, ''Through Him,'' by Providence, and ''To Him,'' by everything being directed to His Glory.
Therefore, Election, Redemption, and Regeneration all spring from God's sovereign will;
they are accomplished by His Divine power and disposed to His Glory.
Paul is speaking of all that comes within the created and providential order.
This proves that, God didn't create, for the sake of His own creatures, but, for His own Glory-
COL. 1;16-[Turn].
Now, Get this truth; GOD LIVES FOR HIS OWN ETERNAL PURPOSE.
Today, many Religionists have the idea, that God lives primarily, for His creatures.
This shows their Scriptural ignorance.
For What, did God live, before He created/
Since God lived eternally, to please Himself, did He change, after Man's Creation/
Since Creation, does God live for man, or, does He continue to live, for His own pleasure/
GOD CANNOT LIVE FOR ANY OBJECT, GREATER THAN HIMSELF, FOR THERE IS NO
OBJECT GREATER THAN GOD.
Isaiah 40;18--''To whom then will ye liken God/ or what likeness will ye compare unto him/
Isaiah 40;25--''To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal/ saith the Holy One.''
Isaiah 40;28--''Hast thou not known/ hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary/ there is no searching of his understanding.''
God cannot live for any object, lower than Himself because that, would make the cause, live for the effect.
Now, Get this truth; IF GOD LIVES FOR HIS CREATURES, THEN THE GREATER WOULD
BE SUBORDINATED TO THE LESSER.
This is the doctrine of all false Philosophers. They are not only living on a descending scale, but they would have God, live on the same descending estimate of life.
They prefer the physical to the spiritual, the creature to the Creator, and the blessing for the Blesser.
This false concept of God, makes the infinite Being live for the slime. It is like saying, The Sun exists for the dunghill.
The conclusion of the Philosophy is given in Romans 1;18-32.
The Bible nowhere implies that these are conditions, to any of God's creative acts, but, the one act, with which, we are interested is Regeneration.
2 COR. 4;6--[Turn].
The facts referred to, in this text, include two great events;
[1] God caused light to shine in the place, where natural darkness covered the earth;
[2] God caused, by the same word of command, the light of the Holy Spirit to shine in the soul,
which was totally dark.
His first words in regenerating a soul, are, ''Let there be light''. The Bible is a light, which requires light from The Holy Spirit, to enable one, to see and understand it.
The light of Regeneration is neither the increase of, nor the improvement of Nature's light.
It is a new light, caused in the understanding of man, by the Holy Spirit in Regeneration.
Now, LISTEN,-The heart of Man by Nature is like the darkness of the earth's surface, before
God said, ''Let there be light''.
As there was no light upon this chaotic earth, before God spoke, so, There is no light, in the unregenerate heart, before God speaks.
Without the illumination of the Holy Spirit in Regeneration, there can be no repentance and faith.
Thus, The Spirit draws the soul to Christ, in Regeneration.
He, then, shines in that heart, by conviction of sin, that wounds, and then, the convicted man, embraces Jesus Christ for deliverance.
The same powerful word that caused the light to shine out of darkness is required, to make light shine into the heart of a darkened soul.
3 important metaphors are used to describe, The Regeneration of The Soul.
Creation is the first;
No preexistent matter is required-Ephesians 2;10-Quote.
Where there is no preexistent matter, there is no opposition.
''Resurrection'' is the second metaphor-This is the work of Omnipotent Power.
There is preexistent matter in Resurrection-Col. 3;1-[Turn].
The last metaphor is ''conquest''-
2 Cor. 10;3-5--''For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh; [For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;]
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;''
Conquest supports opposition, therefore man's corrupt nature, dead in sin, was fully armed against God, but not able, to frustrate God's Purpose to save him.
When regenerated, the rebellious sinner is carried captive, not against his will, but with his will,
as a voluntary subject of Christ.
Nicodemus continued in ignorance because he was yet unregenerate, and unconverted.
You see, DIVINE TRUTHS THOUGH TOLD IN THE PLAINEST TERMS, REMAIN OBSCURE TO THE NATURAL MIND.
Carnal Reasoning continues until there is illumination, by The Holy Spirit-Hence, Nicodemus asked, ''How can these things be/'' [John 3;9].
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