P
Pilgrimbygrace
Guest
So we’ve talked about Apostleship and the Saints at Ephesus (whether this letter was addressed to the church in Ephesus or to Asia Minor) So now let us continue.
St. Paul addresses the saints or faithful ones in Jesus Christ. He then continues and makes a distinction between God the father and the Son, further establishing the doctrine of the Blessed Trinity. He also shows us that we get our grace and peace from God.
Now here of course is where it gets interesting. St. Paul give much adoration to the Father for all the Spiritual blessings he had bestowed upon the saints from the heavenly places.
Then we come to Predestination and Election.
So the main focus of course should be on being justified and sanctified through the righteousness imputed to us by Jesus Christ.
But my next question is this.
Or… Did He chose from the beginning of time the plan of salvation. Or, did He predestine that all the would choose by their free will be justified and sanctified and adopted as His children by the righteousness of Jesus Christ?
I know this has always been a tough one and I’m not planning on take much time with this doctrine in my personal Bible study. I’ve been there and done that many times. It always goes on way to long if allowed. But I am just curious as to how the majority here view the doctrine of predestination and election.
I’ll be going to the Catholic Encyclopedia now to read what it says as well.
For myself, being an ecumenical protestant. I refer back to First Corinthians 13.* where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.*
In other words, the are mysteries of God that we will never know clearly. I personal reside somewhere between prevenient grace and irresistible grace; meaning that I believe in the Sovereignty of God and I believe it is only by the working of the Holy Spirit that we are drawn to Him. But I also believe that we have a choice, for how can it be love if we don’t? Anyway
please keep in mind that I do not know the Catholic doctrine of predestination and election. So be kind to me, a sinner. 
St. Paul addresses the saints or faithful ones in Jesus Christ. He then continues and makes a distinction between God the father and the Son, further establishing the doctrine of the Blessed Trinity. He also shows us that we get our grace and peace from God.
Now here of course is where it gets interesting. St. Paul give much adoration to the Father for all the Spiritual blessings he had bestowed upon the saints from the heavenly places.
Then we come to Predestination and Election.
So the main focus of course should be on being justified and sanctified through the righteousness imputed to us by Jesus Christ.
But my next question is this.
- Is this portion of the Epistle talking about God predestining a plan or a people?
Or… Did He chose from the beginning of time the plan of salvation. Or, did He predestine that all the would choose by their free will be justified and sanctified and adopted as His children by the righteousness of Jesus Christ?
I know this has always been a tough one and I’m not planning on take much time with this doctrine in my personal Bible study. I’ve been there and done that many times. It always goes on way to long if allowed. But I am just curious as to how the majority here view the doctrine of predestination and election.
I’ll be going to the Catholic Encyclopedia now to read what it says as well.
For myself, being an ecumenical protestant. I refer back to First Corinthians 13.* where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.*
In other words, the are mysteries of God that we will never know clearly. I personal reside somewhere between prevenient grace and irresistible grace; meaning that I believe in the Sovereignty of God and I believe it is only by the working of the Holy Spirit that we are drawn to Him. But I also believe that we have a choice, for how can it be love if we don’t? Anyway
please keep in mind that I do not know the Catholic doctrine of predestination and election. So be kind to me, a sinner. 
These two articles will help you with the Catholic teaching re predestination: