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God knows your life from beginning to end because He
exists outside of time and can see the future even before you are
born. This foreknowledge allows Him to make statements such as
"Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated" because God knew that
Esau would sell his birthright and marry two Hittite women against
the wishes of his father. When it comes to mercy, it is entirely up
to God how long the grace will last before He metes out punishment.
Mankind has free will but God will also mark the people who rebel
against Him and harden their hearts. Salvation is offered to
everyone but only a remnant will be saved. This was the case with
the Israelites when Jesus came unto His own people and they rejected
Him. The Lord continues to show His righteousness by making the same
offer available to the Gentiles. Salvation can never be attained by
keeping the law. It is solely through the grace of Jesus; He is
supreme and doesn't answer to anyone. God did not show mercy to the
Jewish high priest that came to Pilate and requested the death of
Jesus, but He did show mercy to a Pharisee named Saul, who
persecuted the upstart church until his eyes were opened. |
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