My main point is this: God does indeed predestine, but He predestines those who would believe in Jesus Christ. It is those who, through their moral responsibility, choose to believe in Christ who are then called the elect and chosen.
God predestined the salvation of all who are in Christ. God has determined to elect all those in Christ, so that in the end they will be saved eternally. God has decreed to choose those who are in Christ, and they shall be rescued by divine election.
We must be 100% certain that we are in Christ! Be very sure!
Understanding God's Sovereignty and Human Responsibility
Some rightly emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty, and this is a foundational truth of Scripture. God is in control, and His purposes will prevail. Where I find a departure from a balanced biblical view is in the implications drawn from this sovereignty regarding individual salvation.
The concept of "Unconditional Election," as presented in the article, suggests that God chooses individuals for salvation apart from any foreseen faith. While some may state this inspires "greater awe and worship," it can also lead to a difficult question: if God chooses some for salvation entirely independent of their will, what about those who are not chosen? This perspective, while attempting to magnify God's grace, can inadvertently diminish the equally vital biblical truth of human moral responsibility.
The Call to Believe: Our Moral Responsibility
The Bible consistently presents a call to repentance and faith as a condition for salvation. From the Old Testament prophets to Jesus Himself, and through the apostles, the message is clear: "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31). This isn't just a suggestion; it's a command, and inherent in a command is the expectation that we have the capacity to obey it.
If salvation were entirely the result of an "Irresistible Grace" that forces a change of heart without any personal decision, then the numerous biblical invitations to "come," "choose," "believe," and "receive" would lose their genuine meaning. Why would God invite us to do something if we have no true ability to respond?
Consider verses like John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." The emphasis here is on "whoever believes." God's love is for "the world," indicating a universal offer, and the condition for receiving eternal life is belief. This doesn't mean our faith earns salvation, but rather that it is the means by which we embrace God's freely offered grace.
Predestination: God's Foreknowledge, Not Unconditional Decree
So, how do we reconcile God's sovereignty with human responsibility? The key lies in understanding predestination as God's foreknowledge.
When the Bible speaks of predestination (e.g., Romans 8:29-30, Ephesians 1:5, 11), it can be understood not as God arbitrarily selecting individuals without regard for their future actions, but rather as God, in His infinite knowledge, knowing in advance who will believe. He knows those who, when presented with the gospel, will respond in faith. It is these individuals—those who will believe—whom He then predestines to be conformed to the image of His Son, to be adopted as His children, and to inherit eternal life.
In this view, election and chosenness are the result of God's perfect foreknowledge of our free response to His grace. God isn't simply choosing certain people to believe; rather, He is choosing those whom He knows will believe to be His elect. This upholds God's sovereignty (He knows all things) while simultaneously affirming human moral responsibility to respond to His call.
The "Perseverance of the Saints" is a beautiful truth, but it's the perseverance of those who continue to cling to Christ, not a guarantee for those who might later abandon their faith. Our security in Christ is indeed absolute once we are genuinely His, but that security is maintained by our continued faith and obedience, not apart from it.
A More Balanced Perspective on God's Love and Our Role
Some author's journey to deeper assurance is commendable, and many aspects of Calvinism, like the recognition of Total Depravity (that we cannot save ourselves and are utterly dependent on God's grace), are profoundly biblical and humbling. However, the balance between God's grace and human responsibility is crucial.
God's love is indeed magnified when we understand that He offers salvation to all, and that He desires all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Our commitment to evangelism should stem not only from the belief that God has His elect scattered throughout the world but also from the profound truth that the gospel is for everyone, and that anyone who believes can be saved.
In conclusion, while some are celebrating the personal transformation experienced, a complete biblical understanding maintains that God predestines those who would believe in Jesus Christ. It is those who believe in Christ who are called the election and chosen, and we have the moral responsibility to believe in Jesus Christ. This perspective fully embraces God's majestic sovereignty while upholding the genuine choice and responsibility He has given to humanity.
I reemphasize God's sovereign initiative in salvation, where predestination, eternal security in Christ, and divine election are interconnected and biblically grounded concepts for those who are "in Christ."
Are you in Christ?
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