The question remains: What is the reason for the father infusing the elect with this ability?
presumably it happened in eternity.
But why, what caused Him to "elect" some and not others?
Or assign some to one destiny and the rest to another?
Was it something He saw in the two "thems"?
Obviously (or so it seems from scripture) we were all dead in Adams sin and therefore hopeless, helpless with no strength.
We do know this:
Ephesians 1
10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
And:
Proverbs 16:4 The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
Seems cold. No?
HankD
Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: V9
Comment on V 10 above especially relative to Phil 2:10,11 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Are the, "us," of verse 9 the all of salvation or are they the all of salvation, who reign with Christ?
What happens to all the peoples on the earth when Christ returns? The Muslim's, the Chinese just to name a few in your or all's opinion?