PREDESTINATIONTwo views of predestination are prominent among church groups today. One view holds that God offers irresistible grace to those whom he elects to save. The other view insists that God's grace is the source of redemption but that it can be resisted by man through his free choice. In the first, God chooses the believer; in the latter, the believer chooses God. By studying God's word we can realize the correct view to hold. Certain verses in God's word mention predestination and may for some be hard to understand. One such verse is in Romans (8:29-30). 29 For whom He
foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that
He might be the firstborn among many brethren. The foreknown by God refers to those who would become believers in Christ with hearts that are righteous and willing to serve God. God knew from the beginning of creation that there would be some whose hearts would be good and who would seek Him. He also knew that He would send His son to give us an understanding of His ways and to be our sacrifice for sins. God intended for the believers to conform to the image of His son. To conform, they would have to obey and live by the teachings that Jesus gave when He was on earth. The predestined to conform were called through the gospel. They were justified because Jesus paid for their sins. They are glorified because they are now children of God, just like His son. The predestination of God was His plan from the beginning for the salvation and transformation of man through Jesus. (2Ti 1:9 - who (God) has saved us and called [us] with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.) However, His plan does not force anyone to become a believer. This would go against the rest of scripture and man’s free will. God calls us through His word; then, we make the choice. · [Deu 30:19 NKJV] 19 "I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, [that] I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; · [Jos 24:15 NKJV] 15 "And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that [were] on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." Ephesians 1:4-5,11 is another predestination passage: 4 just as He chose us
in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without
blame before Him in love Again, God knew before the foundation of the world that some would come to Him through Jesus. God predetermined the roadway of forgiveness, sanctification, and the reward for anyone who would become His child. Through Jesus we would be forgiven and made holy becoming sons of God. Our inheritance would be eternal life, predestined according to the purpose of God. Another verse of predestination is Acts 13:48: 48 Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. At this time during the growth of the church, the gospel was spreading to the Gentile nations. Among the Gentiles there were many good people. They were appointed to eternal life because they believed. Some knew of God but did not know how to find Him. Jesus foretold the acceptance of the Gentiles in John 10:16; "And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd. God foretold the Gentiles acceptance throughout the scriptures and called them through the gospel. Many believed and became His children, having the hope of eternal life. Some chose not to believe. Another passage is II Thessalonians 2:13,15: 13 But we are bound to
give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God
from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the
Spirit and belief in the truth. This passage should clear up any misconception of predestination, as will several other verses expressing a steadfast and sanctified walk in Christ and with God. In verse 13 we see that God has chosen us for salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth. Paul is writing this epistle to those who are followers of Christ. These followers had to first believe in the gospel, understanding the forgiveness that comes through Jesus, and then transform their lives through God’s Holy Spirit. The Spirit is a living power that will sanctify us through God’s word and teachings. Paul letters were channels to sanctification. Sanctification of our souls is the will God (1Th 4:3-4 NKJV - 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor). If we are not sanctified then we are rejecting God (1Th 4:8 NKJV - Therefore he who rejects [this] does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit). This is the reason the church is to stand fast and hold the traditions they were taught, to become sanctified and not rejected by God. There are many other verses emphasizing our sanctification and steadfastness. If God has already chosen who will be saved, then why the emphasis on sanctification and steadfastness? If select groups of people are predestined for salvation then why are we instructed to live acceptable and pleasing to God? Why not let believers live carefree? Finally, the passage in Romans 9:14-24 seems to state that God made vessels of dishonor to show His power throughout the world. However, by the Spirit we can understand this. Just as God knew there would be good people in the world who would seek Him, He also knew there would be people in the world who would not seek Him. The rejecters are the vessels of dishonor. They could have come to know God but chose not to. Their hearts became hardened because God left them to their own will. These vessels God used to show His power and to accomplish His will. To conclude, thinking that man has no choice of his own concerning where he will spend eternity is absurd. Predestination does exist to the extent that God did have a plan of salvation and sanctification of man through Jesus. In His infinite wisdom He knew there would be some who would seek Him and believe in His son. He did preplan a way of forgiveness through His son and a way of sanctification through His Spirit. Finally, He foreknew the eternal reward or inheritance He would provide for those who believe. However, nowhere in God's word does it show that He took away man's choice to follow Him. Man’s choice to follow God is the most important and sincere act of love toward God that he can do. |