When were God's purpose and grace given to us?
God's purpose and grace were given to us in Christ Jesus before the world began. This was already in the mind of God in that counsel that predetermined everything, and Paul writes that He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world. It is received by faith, not according to our works.
Les teaches that this God, with all His power manifested, has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose. That purpose was originally generated back during Acts chapter 2, when the Godhead came together and precipitated everything according to their counsel. According to His own purpose and grace, it was given to us in Christ Jesus before the world began. This was already in the mind of God in that counsel that predetermined everything, and that is where God already had us on His mind. Les points out that Paul could write in Ephesians that He has chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world. It is mind-boggling, and the only thing we can do is take it by faith; we cannot understand or comprehend it, but it is what the Word declares.
Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,