The Upward Look
© Copyright 2009, Max D. Hutto,

“According to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, that you may obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood ”
   1 Peter 1:2a NASB ©

The phrase “the foreknowledge of God” causes much discussion and confusion. For centuries scholars have debated the concept of God’s sovereignty, election, and predestination versus man’s free will. While there are great depths to its meaning, in its simplest definition, the term “foreknowledge” means God has prior knowledge. God is not limited by time. He knows all things past, present, and future. According to His plan and purpose, God knows who will ultimately trust in His grace for salvation. He has chosen these to be His special people. While God’s grace is offered to all people, only those who will choose to trust in His grace will be saved by His cleansing blood and will be His chosen people. Those who ultimately reject His grace will be rejected by God.

Lord God, while I don’t fully understand Your foreknowledge, I know that You are the Sovereign God. I choose to trust in Your grace, mercy, and love for my salvation.

* (footnotes & credits)

NASB ©
The Bible quotes marked NASB are from the New American Standard Bible,
© Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977,
by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA. (used with permission)

HCSB ©
The Bible quotes marked HCSB are from the Holman Christian Standard Bible,
© Copyright 2000 by Holman Bible Publishers (used with permission).

NIV ©
The Bible quotes marked NIV are from the New International Version,
© Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, by The International Bible Society. (used with permission)