Foreknowledge

[Doc Thomas]

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;& these whom He predestined, He also called; & these whom He called, He also justified; & these whom He justified, He also glorified"--Romans 8:28-30. Christian theology teaches that God must first work in man before a man can seek God, God must first have sought the man. Before a sinful man can think a right thought of God, there must have been a work of enlightenment within him. 

Imperfect as it may seem, to the outward eye, it's a real/true work nevertheless, & the secret cause of all desiring and seeking/praying which may follow. The impulse to pursue God originates with God, but the outworking of that impulse is our following hard after Him. I want to deliberately encourage this mighty longing after God. The lack of it has brought us to our present low estate. The stiff/wooden quality about our religious lives is a result of our lack of holy desire...Acute desire must be present or there will be no manifestation of Christ to His people.