Out of God, Through God, and For God; is All

by Peter Feddema

Here is a brief presentation of seven topics and Scripture texts which explain the ultimate purpose for which God has created the universe. It is primarily from the pen of the apostle Paul that we have these absolute declarations concerning God's wonderful objective to become All in all (1 Cor 15:28c)

In Col. 1:25, Paul tells us that he was granted to complete the word of God. We cannot find the complete picture of God's purpose in the other parts of Scripture.

For us to properly appreciate God's beneficial aim for His creation, we must rightly divide the word of God as we are admonished to do in 2 Tim 2:15: "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth".

This basically means that it is required to properly distinguish between God's dealings with Israel, where it is shown that humanity in the flesh cannot please God; and His dealings with the nations, where it is shown what He will eventually accomplish, through Christ Jesus, for those on the earth and those in the heavens (cf Col. 1:20)

Seven Very Important Topics:

1. God created ALL

2. God will save ALL

3. God operates ALL

4. God will vivify ALL

5. God will justify ALL

6. God will subject ALL

7. God will reconcile ALL

God Created All

"Seeing that out of Him and through Him and for Him is all: to Him be the Glory for the eons! Amen!" (Rom 11:36).

" ... nevertheless for us there is One God, the Father, out of Whom all is" (1 Cor 8:6).

"I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things" (Isa 45:7).

God Operates All

That God operates all is of great comfort to us, for this, in itself, is assurance that our God, Who is love, will operate all to His Glory and our well being.

"I am God, and also henceforth I am He; there is none who can deliver from my hand; I work and who can hinder it?" (Isa 43:13).

"... in Him in Whom our lot was cast also, being designated beforehand according to the purpose of the One Who is operating all in accord with the counsel of His will" (Eph 1:11).

"Seeing that out of Him and through Him and for Him is all: to Him be the Glory for the eons! Amen!" (Rom 11:36).

God Will Justify All

A very important part of God's operation is that He will justify all. In ourselves we are sinners, but through the suffering and death of Christ on the Cross, God will grant to all, His righteousness.

"Yet now, apart from law, a righteousness of God is manifested ... a righteousness of God through Jesus Christ's faith,For all, and on all who are believing, for there is no distinction" (Rom 3:21-22).

"For the love of Christ is constraining us, judging this, that, if One died for the sake of all, consequently all died" (2 Cor 5:14).

" ... one who dies has been justified from Sin" (Rom 6:7).

"Consequently, then, as it was through one offense for all mankind for condemnation, thus also it is through one just award for all mankind for life's justifying" (Rom 5:18).

God Will Reconcile All

Besides justifying all, God will reconcile all. Reconciliation brings us into a much closer relationship to God than justification alone. This powerful declaration is of great comfort and encouragement to us.

"... and through Him (Christ) to reconcile all to Him [God] (making peace through the blood of His cross), through Him, whether those on the earth or those in the heavens" (Col. 1:20).

God Will Save All

The salvation of all is a blessing that belongs inseparably with the justification and reconciliation of all. It is a vital part of the great objective which God, our Father, accomplishes through His Son, Christ Jesus.

"Faithful is the saying, and worthy of all welcome, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners ..." (1 Tim.1:15)

It does not say that Jesus came into the world to try to save sinners, or to give sinners a chance to be saved. No, He came to save sinners, and He will accomplish it most perfectly!

" ... for this is ideal and welcome in the sight of our Saviour, God, Who wills that all mankind be saved and come into a realization of the truth." (1 Tim 2:3-4)

If God wills something, who can hinder? (cf Isa 43:13; Eph 1:11).

"Faithful is the saying and worthy of all welcome, (for for this are we toiling and being reproached), that we rely on the living GOD, Who is the Saviour of all mankind, especially of believers. These things be charging and teaching." (1 Tim 4:9-11)

In verse 10 it does not say "exclusively." Yes, believers do have a special salvation, but salvation is not "exclusively" theirs alone. Eventually, all mankind will be saved, for God wills all mankind to be saved (cf 1 Tim 2:4)

"And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the whole world." (1 John 2:2).

"And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world." (1 John 4:14)

Once more, we have the assurance that Christ Jesus is the Saviour of the world. It does not say that He is merely "the potential" or "possible" Saviour of the world. No, these Scripture statements are positive and straightforward, full of Good News!

God Will Vivify All

To everyone, God will give life that is beyond the reach of death -- life that is immortal and incorruptible, full of joy and glory! How marvelous that vivification is clearly stated in the Scriptures.

"For even as, in Adam, all are dying, thus also, in Christ, shall all be vivified" (1 Cor 15:22)

"Thus it is written also, The first man, Adam, became a living soul: "the last Adam a vivifying Spirit" (1 Cor 15:45).

"The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death" (1 Cor 15:26).

God Will Subject All

Wholehearted, loving subjection to God, is the proper, normal, natural, and agreeable relationship of the creature to his Creator.

Now, whenever all may be subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also shall be subjected to Him Who subjects all to Him, that God may be All in all" (1 Cor 15:28)

Please notice that all these absolute Scriptural declarations lead to the grand CLIMAX that God may be ALL in all! (1 Cor 15:28c).

In the meantime, that all is for God (Rom 11:36; 1 Cor 8:6) is the most powerful and potent medicine ever provided for sorrowing and dying humanity.

To the living God,
Who is the Saviour of all mankind;
out of Whom and through Whom and for Whom is all,-
BE ALL THE GLORY!!!