Page 59 - Fundamentals Ebook

“Whatever the LORD pleases, He does, in heaven and in earth, in
the seas and in all deeps.” Psalm 103:19, “The LORD has
established His throne in the heavens and His sovereignty rules over
all.”

That’s the purpose; God gets what He wants but we’re calling it
“redemptive purpose”. What is meant by the “redemptive” part?
John 3:17, “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the
world, but that the world should be saved through Him.” God has
redemption on His heart and He wants to save people. Luke 19:10,
“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was
lost.” It’s His heart to seek and to save that which is lost. 1 John
4:14, “And we have beheld and bear witness that the Father has sent
the Son to be the Savior of the world.”

The Lord is in control of everything, so that He can redeem the
world. Whatever happens, in some way is redemptive. 2 Peter 3:9,
“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness,
but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to
come to repentance.” That’s what I mean my redemptive purpose.
God controls everything to bring redemption into the world.
Ephesians 1:22, “And He put all things in subjection under His feet,
and gave Him as head over all things to the church.” He works all
things for the church. It’s all redemptive.

Even the wicked who are against God fulfill His purpose. A great
illustration is Acts 2:23&24, “…this Man, delivered up by the
predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross
by the hands of godless men and put Him to death.” God planned
the cross and wicked men put Jesus to death. Even the wickedness
is redemptive.

There’s a great illustration of this in Matthew 27 when Jesus was on
the cross, wicked men mocked Him but when they mocked Him they
praised Him. They didn’t try to praise Him. They tried to mock
Him. Matthew 27:29, “And after weaving a crown of thorn, they