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     In the past two articles we considered the unique quality King Jesus commands all citizens (Christians) of His kingdom to develop in their lives.  It is the supreme characteristic called love (agape).  This quality so thoroughly permeates God’s character that the Bible tells us God is love (1 John 4:8, 16).  Implicitly, Christians are to strive to be Christlike, hence to learn to love (Philippians 2:5; 1 Corinthians 11:1; Galatians 5:22-23; 2 Peter 1:5-7).  However, the first person a citizen is to love is God Himself.
     “‘And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’  This is the first commandment” (Mark 12:30).  Even the first commandment of the Old covenant between God and Israel implied the citizen of ancient Israel was to love God – “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3).  What does it mean to love God?

     The apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome, “...all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.  For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified” (Romans 8:28-30).  This passage begs the question, “How does a citizen love God?”

     Taking each point in this passage in reverse order, we ask, “Whom does God glorify?”  Those whom He justified!  “Whom does He justify?”  Those He called!  Whom does He call?  Those He predestined!  Whom does He predestine?  Those He foreknew!  Whom did He foreknow?  Those He called according to His purpose.  Who are those?  Those who love God.  How does one love God?  The King said if you love me keep my commandments (1 John 5:3; John 14:15).

     Romans 8:28-30 also dispels the Calvinist notion that God predestines some people to be saved and some to go to hell.  Those who obey God are predestined to be saved via the scheme of redemption.  The predestination aspect is the plan to save man was from before the world was created.  Jesus chooses those to be saved who are “in Him” which occurs when a person puts their faith in King and decides to be baptized into Him (Ephesians 1:4-6; Galatians 3:27; Acts 2:47).  Do you actually love God?  Obey Him?

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