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In this second stage Derek stresses that because God foreknew us, He chose us for His own purposes. He knows who we are and what we can be. As we say yes, He enables us to walk in His grace to fulfill those purposes. He foreknew you and chose you because He knows what you can accomplish together.

As we finish this study on the Holy Spirit, Derek addresses two kinds of unions, one in the flesh and one in the Spirit. As we identify with the death of Christ, we are dead to the claims of the law and free to be united in a marriage relationship to the living Christ. In this way we become one Spirit with Him through the Holy Spirit.

Derek speaks about the relationship between the Word of God and the Holy Spirit, who is the author of the Word. The Holy Spirit directed men to write it, and He knows just what it means. He will also reveal it to us if we will but ask Him. The Holy Spirit never contradicts Himself. He never teaches anything that is contrary to the Word which He Himself gave.

Derek finishes this study by pointing out that all nations will have the gospel preached to them—and that includes the Jewish people. At some point the full number of the Gentiles will be brought into the kingdom and the hardening of the Jewish hearts will end. That will open wide the door of salvation to the Jews. Derek exhorts us to give hope and comfort to them, which will hasten the day of Jesus’ return.

In today’s study Derek points out that all creation is looking forward to the return of Jesus when the sons of God will be revealed in all their glory. When Adam and Eve fell, creation was subjected to the circumstances of sin. But at Christ’s return, redemption will encompass all creation as well as man.

As Derek finishes this study, he shows us, from the book of Colossians, that all things of God are available to us in Jesus Christ. Jesus is the image of God and all the fullness of the Godhead dwells in Him. All that God has, has been provided for us in Christ, and it is through our understanding of the riches in Him that we receive of His fullness.

One of the mental fortresses we battle is pride. Derek stresses that the essential condition for receiving the Word of God is humility. He shares that in the process of self-humbling we must put down pride and choose humility instead. As we do so in God’s sight, He will give us the grace to succeed.

In finishing this study, Derek explains how Christ became a curse for us when He hung upon the cross. He exhausted every curse for each of us so we would not have to bear them. Then He gives us the opportunity to acknowledge the finished work of Christ on the cross and receive the blessings in our lives as a result.

Derek finishes this week by stressing the importance of responding to God when He speaks to you. Repeatedly ignoring or sidestepping His promptings can cause you to be rejected. This is not God’s will for you.

It’s vitally important for us, as Christians, to fully understand the price Jesus paid for our salvation. You are so important to God that He sent His only begotten Son to die for your sins just so you could spend eternity with Him! Let’s listen as Derek continues to give us insight about the sacrifice of Jesus … and what that means to us.