According to what does God predestine, and who controls all things?
God predestines according to His purpose, not according to works, and this purpose is wrapped up in His grace. He is the One who works all things—in space, in the heavens, and on the earth—according to the counsel of His own will, so all things are under the control of His power.
Les teaches from Ephesians chapter 1 that believers were called not according to their works but according to God's purposes, completely wrapped up in His grace. He explains that we were predestined according to the purpose that is all under the control of God's power. That purpose belongs to the One who works all things—everything in space, in the heavens, and on the earth—according to the counsel of His own will. Les further notes this is all for the praise of His glory, and that God gives believers breath so they might bring praise to His glory. He also references Hebrews' sacrifice of praise, the work of lips.
In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
More Questions
Is being predestinated the same as being elected or called?
In Ephesians 1:11 the word 'predestinated' means the same thing as being elected or called.