This is a much debated topic. Before I had ever heard about the theology of predestination, I recall the joy that I had as a young believer to understand that God chose me. It never occurred to me in reading Scripture that might mean that God would purposely not choose others. All I knew was simply this....if God had not chosen to extend His grace to me, I would have remained dead in my sins. While I was not aware of the mystery that was taking place in my life, I know that the Holy Spirit was drawing me to Him. At the time, I was steeped in religion, had no reason to search outside of what I was taught, and could have lived the rest of my life thinking that I was saved because of my religion, To be so close to the truth yet so lost. But somehow - through His grace - the truth penetrated my heart.
John 15:16 says "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you."
When I read that "God chose me in Him" (Eph 1) , I do not automatically wonder if that means that He did not choose others for salvation. What I know for certainty is that Jesus chooses us first - He knows that we are not capable of coming to the truth without God having revealed the truth to us (Jesus tells Peter that he recognized Jesus as Messiah because the Father revealed the truth to him). Without His grace working mysteriously in our lives, we would not be capable of choosing Him because of our brokeness.
In wrestling with this topic, I have to put the weight of my faith in knowing for certainty what God has chosen to reveal to us. I also have to keep in mind what I know has been revealed about God's character. He is loving, good AND just. I don't think Scripture is designed that we will come to an absolute black & white decision, so knowing what has been revealed will have to be enough for me.
The following are a collection of teachings on both side of the topic.
John 15:16 says "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you."
When I read that "God chose me in Him" (Eph 1) , I do not automatically wonder if that means that He did not choose others for salvation. What I know for certainty is that Jesus chooses us first - He knows that we are not capable of coming to the truth without God having revealed the truth to us (Jesus tells Peter that he recognized Jesus as Messiah because the Father revealed the truth to him). Without His grace working mysteriously in our lives, we would not be capable of choosing Him because of our brokeness.
In wrestling with this topic, I have to put the weight of my faith in knowing for certainty what God has chosen to reveal to us. I also have to keep in mind what I know has been revealed about God's character. He is loving, good AND just. I don't think Scripture is designed that we will come to an absolute black & white decision, so knowing what has been revealed will have to be enough for me.
The following are a collection of teachings on both side of the topic.
Michael Defazio, MA Fuller Theological Seminary; BTh Ozark Christian College 417.626.1253 [email protected] Ephesians 1:3-14 Ode to Salvation NOTES: Ephesians can be summarized as a celebration of Christ’s saving power. Chapters 1 -3: Proofs that Christ has saving power Chapters 4-6: Guide, how to participate in His saving power | |
Chap 1:3-14
Paul is excited and wants to get you excited knowing that being saved is awesome and God is awesome for saving, so we should praise Him.
Paul is saying “All of God, has been working for all of time, to save all of you.
He’s got your past taken care of; you have been forgiven of your past sins.
He’s got your present taken care of; you are in the process of being redeemed.
He’s got your future taken care of; you are sealed with the Holy Spirit for the day of redemption.
God chose us
This was an opportunity for God to demonstrate His grace and love by choosing you. He picked us first before we had made any move toward Him.
It's fine to look for God as long as we understand that we found Him who has been drawing us all along.
He predestined us.
This does not mean that God decided before time that there would be certain people to be saved and there is certain people who are going to be judged and damned to eternity.
[He predestined Israel to be used for His purpose which was to be a light to the Gentiles. God gave Israel’s enemies the opportunity to respond to His calling.]
It says, “In love, He predestined us for adoption to sonship.” Who is us? It is those of us who believe in the Gospel message. God did not decide that some of us will be saved and some will not but that certain benefits will be given to whomever puts their faith in Jesus.
Appointed for a role in the plan. [In some versions it is ‘chosen’ again but it is a different Greek word.]
Sealed by the Holy Spirit. A guarantee of what will come in the future. Like a signet ring by a king.
*******************************
Paul is excited and wants to get you excited knowing that being saved is awesome and God is awesome for saving, so we should praise Him.
Paul is saying “All of God, has been working for all of time, to save all of you.
He’s got your past taken care of; you have been forgiven of your past sins.
He’s got your present taken care of; you are in the process of being redeemed.
He’s got your future taken care of; you are sealed with the Holy Spirit for the day of redemption.
God chose us
This was an opportunity for God to demonstrate His grace and love by choosing you. He picked us first before we had made any move toward Him.
It's fine to look for God as long as we understand that we found Him who has been drawing us all along.
He predestined us.
This does not mean that God decided before time that there would be certain people to be saved and there is certain people who are going to be judged and damned to eternity.
[He predestined Israel to be used for His purpose which was to be a light to the Gentiles. God gave Israel’s enemies the opportunity to respond to His calling.]
It says, “In love, He predestined us for adoption to sonship.” Who is us? It is those of us who believe in the Gospel message. God did not decide that some of us will be saved and some will not but that certain benefits will be given to whomever puts their faith in Jesus.
Appointed for a role in the plan. [In some versions it is ‘chosen’ again but it is a different Greek word.]
Sealed by the Holy Spirit. A guarantee of what will come in the future. Like a signet ring by a king.
*******************************
JD Greer in his teaching on Ephesians said this "In referencing Deut 29:29, we are to obey the revealed thing and share Christ and let how God chooses people to remain in the realm of secrete things where God has placed it. It is arrogance and disobedience to debate nuances of theology when simple obedience [to this particular theological thought] is what is required. It is less important to figure out why and how God chooses but it is important that you live in the assurance that He chose you in love before the foundation of the world and if He chose you before the world began, He won’t give up on you for any reason." | Video can be found in Rightnow Media. |
This statement has haunted me for years. What I hear him saying is that we need to be obedient to the theological explanation assigned to his understanding of predestination. I humbly submit that this pastor is certainly more educated in theology. I have no formal training in Biblical studies. I've never gone to seminary. The benefit of studying a theology, which is the science of religion, is in keeping with a school of thought to provide a continuous lens in which to view and interpret Scripture. The problem that I have is that in order to do that, theology will attempt to "fill in the blanks" where Scripture is silent in providing a direct explanation. Theology helps me ask the questions. It challenges my understanding so that I don't develop tunnel vision. But while I know for certainty that doctrines and theologies contradict, I do not believe Scripture contradicts. So, I celebrate what is revealed in Scripture, use theological explanations as a tool to assist me in my understanding, but I seek to draw conclusions from what is revealed in the context of all of Scripture. I rely heavily on those who are schooled in theological studies and I try to be careful not to elevate a teaching above what I see in Scripture. But if I'm honest with myself, on this topic, my heart truly has a hard time believing that God would predestine anyone to damnation.
***********************************
***********************************
This is most balanced teachings on this topic and very insightful. Refer to his teaching on Romans 9:22-23 "prepared" This teaching gave me a lot to think about. There was no arrogance in the conclusions drawn; however, I am struggling to agree with his final conclusions. So what do I do? I focus on what I know. God is BOTH loving AND just. His ways and thoughts are higher than my thoughts. I am grateful for what He has chosen to reveal and recognize that I am limited in knowledge and understanding. | |
Scripture speaks about God's sovereignty and man's free will. The mystery is where these two intersect.
**************************************
**************************************
This teaching makes much sense based on what is revealed in Ephesians. | |
Look up "Many are called but few are chosen". Does God summon everyone so that everyone has a chance to respond?