When it comes to a biblical point, many people have different ideas about predestination. A simple definition of the word would be, “to predetermine”. I don’t think there would be many people to argue with that definition. The word, in any form, is only used 4 times in the Bible. Romans 8:29,30 Ephesians 1:5,11 In each case it is talking about our eternal salvation. I’m going to try and explain my views on predestination and contrast it with how the world deals with predestination being in the Bible.
I will start by saying I don’t believe that any thing I do here on earth is predetermined. I believe God created me with a will free to do anything I so choose to do. If I choose to jump off a cliff tomorrow, I have the freedom to do so. It was not determined by any one except myself that I sit here and write this article. It is not predetermined that I study or that I pray or that I spend time with my family. I have the freedom to make those choices by myself. I also have the freedom to decide if I want to follow the lord or chase sin for the rest of my life. Everything that I do here on this earth is my choice just as everyone else has the same freedom to make these choices. On the other hand there are many things that I have no control over. I did not choose to be Philip Blankenship. My parents chose that for me. I didn’t choose who my parents are, I would have to say that God gave me my parents. I have been blessed to have wonderful parents. I did not choose to how tall I am, or how I look or what color my hair is or how big my feet are. All these things are traits that are passed down to me from my parents. I have no control over that.
When the Bible talks about predestination it only speaks of our eternal salvation. Ephesians 1:5 “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,”. You can read the verses surrounding this one if you like. They are very good as well. When did he predetermine this, before the beginning of time (verse4). Who’s will is it that he determines it? It’s God’s will. According to the good pleasure of his will. Most people will take these verses and say he chose his people because he knew who would choose Him. I have a real problem with that theory. 1 John 4:19, “19 We love him, because he first loved us.” If you say that he chose those that He loved based upon who He knew would choose Him then that would be God loving us because we love Him. Would it not?
Another thing that I would like to point out is that He did not predestine any to go to hell. Man going to hell is the work of Adam. “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:“ If we were to say that God predetermined that Adam sinned then we would have to say that God caused sin. I would have to say that would be blaspheme. God gave man the will to do freely as he willed. Adam chose sin just as each everyone else does. Sin sends man to hell.
God sent his Son to ransom his people on the cross and to fulfill the promise that he made before the world began and rest assured his promise was fulfilled when Christ died on that old rugged cross. God did not leave our eternal destiny up to us. He promised his people a place in Heaven. Do you believe he fulfilled that promise? If you believe you are one of God’s elect and you should be thankful and follow after him, worship during your time here on earth.
