Jason,<br><br>You ask whether one is sanctified who is predestined to reprobation yet finds himself within the outward administration of the covenant. I would say that such a person is indeed more culpable than he would have been had he not taken covenant vows, been a partaker of the elements and been in hearing distance of the Word. However, I have a feeling that you might mean more than this. Please elaborate in specific terms. Maybe be redundant for clarification. [img]http://www.the-highway.com/w3timages/icons/grin.gif" alt="grin" title="grin[/img] In what way is the reprobate "in" covenant with God? (I trust we are not talking about a covenant of works but rather the covenant of grace.) Is the hypocrite who remains within the confines of the church dearer to God than the pagan who never darkens the church steps? Does God desire something more for the baptized reprobate than the run-of-the-mill heathen? Please explain why the question of whether the reprobate is in a covenant relationship with God would be a good debate. I'm a bit confused by all the intrigue. We all agree that the reprobate tastes of the heavenly gift and gets glimpses of the world to come, but we also agree that he remains dead in his sin and cannot even understand the basic simplicity of the gospel. He is spiritually discerned, just the like the heathen who never heard of Christ. So how is he different?<br><br>As you agree, God's promise was to Abraham and to his seed. (Gen. 17) The Seed is Christ and by union with Him the elect are truly the seed of Abraham. (Gal. 3) Abraham desired that the covenant would be established with Ishmael, but God refused this request. Nonetheless, Ishmael was to be treated as one who was in the covenant; so he was to receive the sign and seal of the covenant. The covenant was administered to him, though not established with him. In Romans nine we are reminded that the promises of God did not fail. The reason all Israel was not saved was because the promise of salvation did not pertain to all Israel. The covenant promises pertained to the elect alone. Yes, if one did not circumcise his child God said that the child would have broken covenant. So there are "covenant breakers". However, we must not misconstrue what God means by the term. I believe that such an appellation is suitable for those who demonstrate that they are not truly elected into the true covenant of grace, which was made with the elect in Christ. The term simply accentuates the point that the reprobate is responsible for not receiving the promises of God by faith, and that he is in deep weeds to put it mildly. No more, no less.<br><br><br>Blessings,<br><br>Ron<br>
