In this blog I am going to address a very devisive topic that is ravaging through the Christian community forums today. The idea of being Predestined to salvation or making the Choice through faith to follow Christ. You may wonder why does this even matter, once saved and a follower of Christ our main focus should be working out our faith toward being Holy and righteous before our Father in heaven. Well the truth is this topic is not only interesting, but it has in some cases created a stumbling block for some new and old Christians in regards to their faith. This is why I wanted to address this issue. Some of the questions we will be addressing in this blog are;

• If Salvation is predestined and God has already chosen who he will save, then how do I know if I am one of the chosen?
• If Salvation is predestined and God has already chosen, then what is the point of witnessing and spreading the Gospel?
• If Salvation is a choice through faith, then isn’t salvation up to humanity and not God?
• If Salvation is a choice through faith, then doesn’t that conflict with the soverinty of God who mentions he predestined us in the word?

I am sure there are many more questions like these that can be listed related to this topic, but my intention in this study is to either answer these questions or shed some light on the answers that the Holy Spirit revealed to you me on this issue. As always I like to begin with the actual definition of the words we are using to discuss this topic.

Predestination:

• The ordaining of events before hand,
• A fixing or settling in advance,
• A purpose formed beforehand.
• Pre-: in front of, before, in advance, beforehand
• Determine-: to limit, set a boundary, to bring about as a result, to put or set an end, to come to a decision,

Choice(Free Will):

• The act of choosing,
• Is the power of choosing,
• Choose:- to select freely and after consideration, to decide, to have a preference, to take an alternative.

HISTORICAL BASIS OF THE ARGUEMENT:

I will not go too much into the history of this issue, where I got lost for several weeks. I will summize in my own words what I have learned from researching the different factions of this debate. There are many online sources that you can visit yourself to validate any of the claims made in this blog, in some cases I have sited the source in the paragraph.

Calvanism:

Calvinists were a major Protestant group that believed in the theological teachings of John Calvin. Even though they held to traditional Christian values, their unique belief in predesination created a major division in Christianity. Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it as; “the theological system of Calvin and his followers marked by strong emphasis on the sovereignty of God, the depravity of humankind, and the doctrine of predestination”.

Calvinists emerged around the 16th century, believing in the sovereignty of God, which all Christians do, but their belief extends into the doctrine of predestination as it relates to salvation. They believe that the salvation of a person is predestined by God before their birth. That God has already chosen who he will save through salvation and who will be held for destruction. An example of a verse used to support this belief is;

Romas 8: 28-30;

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

There are many other verses that are used to support the calvanistic ideology of predestination, but this is one of the major verses as it directly relates to the topic at hand. Below I have listed two other verses that support this theology;

Ephesians 1: 5

Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.

2 Thessalonians 2:13

But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.

The calvanistic beliefs support the fact, that in this world God has already chosen whom he will save and who he will allow to perish. Preaching of the gospel is just to get the chosen to respond, not out of their own free will, but by God’s predestination of their salvation. They also believe that God is in control of humanities actions and unless it is in God’s will, it cannot happen. The acronym commonaly used to describe the core beliefs of calvinism is T.U.L.I.P. Below is an excerpt from https//:www.study.com sample reading, on the topic of TULIP:

 

Total depravity: This is the belief that all human beings are sinful and are born with an inherent sin-nature. Every human is completely sinful from the moment of birth.

Unconditional election: This is the belief that God predestined individuals for salvation, and that individuals cannot choose God without God enabling them to do so.

Limited atonement: This is the belief that God sent Jesus Christ to die for the sins of his chosen saints only, and not for the sins of those who are unbelievers.

Irresistable grace: This is the belief that God’s chosen elect cannot resist God’s grace in their lives.

Perseverance of the Saints: This is the belief that once an individual is saved, he or she can never lose his or her salvation, because he or she is eternally bound to Christ.

Choice (Free Will to Choose):

Christians that believe in accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, receiving salvation in faith through the atonement for sin by the Son of God, fall under this category. I highlighted the word that creates the disparity between calvanism and free will. The word accepting implies a choice is being made by man to accept the Gospel truth preached to them, and surrender to Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. This belief system stems from the teachings in the New Testament of the bible. The ideaolgy that supports choice, is based on Jesus Christ dying on the cross not just for a chosen few, but for all humanity. That the salvation through Christ is available to anyone who hears the Gospel and accepts (believes on) Jesus Christ as their Lord and saviour. Christ’s blood shed on calvary washes away their sins, and covers them with his righteousness, restoring our ability to commune with God directly. Here are some of the verses that support the free will of man to choose the salvation of Christ that is available to all men:

Romasn 10:9-10

⁹ That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

¹⁰ For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

John 1:12-13

¹² But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

¹³ Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

John 3:16-20

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

¹⁸ Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

¹⁹ This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. ²⁰ Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. ²¹ But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

Revelations 3:20

⁰ Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

MY HUMBLE PERSPECTIVE ON THIS DEBATE:

The truth is I can go on and on providing verses that support both points of view, but there is one key thing to note. I mentioned in one of my blogs on the Kingdom series the importance of concepts, see the following quote; “Ignoring this concept can lead to misunderstandings in the word of God, which leads to wrong believing. Concepts are more important than facts in the bible, because they paint a different picture based on the concept or purpose it was written. Its the same as the spirit of a law is different than the written law as fact. The spirit or main purpose of the law can be lost, if only the factual nature of a law is acknowledged. Outside of the concept or purpose, the law has no real meaning and can lead to religiousity.”

What was explained above is exactly what I believe has happened here that caused a misunderstanding of the word of God. First I must clarify that the soverignty of God is not being challenged here. God is the Creator and has the power and authority to do what ever he wills. We neither have the wisdom or knowledge to understand his ways and are subject to his purpose and plans for the earth. Now that we have dispelled the claim, that Calvinisim holds the moral high ground on God’s soverignty, we can address the main issues.

Is Predestination as described in the word of God, applied to salvation? Is Free Will to choose actually free, if when Christ is lifted up, he will draw all men unto him?

The first Adam was born of God’s spirit not of man that therefore was sinless, because God blew his spirit into him. Then man sinned and every other human was born of man not God and therefore they inherited the sin nature (rebellion) that Adam chose in the garden of Eden. This is why all men are born in sin and Calvinists are correct. We are depraved and twisted by the sin in our hearts, that we are incapable of saving ourselves from eternal judgement or living righteously. Why? Because it was a command from God. If you eat of this tree you WILL Surely die. We all know the bible says, God watches over his word to see it accomplished.

Isaiah 55:10-11

¹⁰ For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:

¹¹ So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Therefore man was marked for death by the word of God, due to their rebellion. God in his mercy and love is aware he is the only one that can satisfy his own word, and therefore knew a sacrifice was needed. The shedding of blood signifying death was required to atone for sins (rebellion) and so animals substituted man’s place in order to circumvent the judgement of sin here on earth. God was actually the first to make a sacrifice on behalf of men in the garden of Eden and he was the last as well when Jesus Christ his son died once and for all.  Although animal sacrifice brought a temporary reprieve from judgment, God knew in order to reconcile with his creation, that there had to be a permanent solution. On the cross Christ’s sacrifice, satisfied the mandate of God’s word, which required death in response to rebellion (sin). Jesus (Word in Flesh), being eternal, satisfies the judgement for sin eternally in Himself. Now once again man has the opportunity to live righteously along their creator as we once were in Eden, but this can only be done through Christ. The ‘Word in Flesh’, Jesus Chirst, has now become the new mandate for deliverance from sin and death. It requires that men be born again with the Spirit of God, as was Adam in his creation. God breathes his spirit in us once again as children of God to commune and live with him here on earth.

Why have I rehashed the Genesis of humanity? Did the first man ever created, have a choice to obey God or was he predestined to sin? The bible shows that Adam exhibited free will on many occasions, such as God allowing him to name every animal including his own mate. In addition God gave Adam the choice to eat of every tree in the Garden, except from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God even gave Adam a dier consequence for eating of that one tree he forbade. Yet out of his own free will and assumed wisdom, he still ate of the tree defying God’s command. Regardless of the temptation by the serpent, Adam had a choice. If that is not free will to choose I don’t know what is choice. Why would the same God that posed the option to humanity through Adam, offer a choice in the garden of Eden and then recind choice when it came to salvation through the second Adam Jesus Christ?

God said they would make man in his image and likeness, what does that mean? Well below are the definitions of the words used by God to describe his creation Man:

Image:

• A reproduction or imitation of the form of a person or thing,
• An immitation in solid form,
• A likeness of an object produced on a photographic material.
• A visual representation of something

Likeness:

• Copy, Portrait,
• The quality or state of being like,
• Implies a close correspondance than similarity, which often implies that things are merely somewhat alike.

If we are made in the likeness of who God is, that means many, if not all of his attributes and character were bestowed upon us as his image. Can the ability to choose be an attribute we inherited? Jesus came into the world saying if you see Him you have seen the Father John 14:9. Therefore remember that Jesus, (the image of God), at the garden of Gethsemany Matt. 26:39:

³⁹ And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” ⁴⁰ And He *came to the disciples and *found them sleeping, and *said to Peter, “So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour? ⁴¹ Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

In this verse Jesus the chosen one according to John the baptist and God Himself, had his own will that did not coincide with God’s plan. His will was to pursue another way to accomplish God’s goal that did not require him to die, if possible. Yet he subjected his will to God’s, understanding that God’s ways are soverign and his plans are Holy. Adam used his freedom and will to choose rebellion(sin), by pursuing the knowledge of good and evil to acheive independance from God. Since he would be like God he could make the rules and set the boundaries as God, but he doomed humanity to death instead. Christ used his freedom to choose obedience, surrendering to God’s will and wisdom and expressing his complete dependance on God. This bore the fruit of salvation and everlasting life for all humanity.

Here again we see that the ability to choose was not absent from the equation, when it came to the most pivitol moments in humanity. What makes us think that the salvation available to us right now is predestined, in the sense that regardless of what we do God has chosen us to make it to heaven, even if our hearts may not have chosen him as God or Christ as Savior. (Salvation was predestined by God as an opportunity for mankind to return to Him in obedience. He foreknew his Son would be a sacrifice to satisfy the judgement of death for the consequence of sin, on behalf of humanity.) Only God could satisfy the judgement of his own word. I believe Jesus requires us to make the same choice in our lives in order to inherit the Kingdom of God and receive salvation. Surrender our will born of the knowledge from the tree of good and evil, then obey the words of God by accepting Christ as our saviour. SURRENDER & OBEY!!!!!!! Man could not save himself, it was up to God in his soverignty and love to provide a way and he did, through Jesus Christ. This is why Christ said it was finished on the cross. He meant God’s plan to save the world was complete on earth, now he sits on the right hand of God awaiting his return. The way has been provided, will we walk through its narrow path (Jesus Christ) in obedience or chose to reject God’s wisdom and walk the broad path of rebellion?

Unconditional election: This is the belief that God predestined individuals for salvation, and that individuals cannot choose God without God enabling them to do so. I believe this to be part true and part false. God did predestine individuals for salvation, when he predestined Christ to die for the whole world’s sake.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

The question is not wether salvation was predestined for individuals, we know it was in God’s plan. The question is whosoever believeth? God sent his son to the world, but only those who believe in him can connect with the blessing of life everlasting with God. This inferred choice to believe, eradicates the predestined theory on salvation. Predestination exists, but is not directly related to the salvation we have in Jesus Christ.

I also believe that man cannot chose God without God enabling them, that is why the word says in Romans 10:14-17;

¹⁴ How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

¹⁵ And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

¹⁶ But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

¹⁷ So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

God’s word, the gospel is what draws men unto him. When the bible says let Christ be lifted up and He will draw all men unto him, it is referring to the word of God. Christ in the bible is referred to the word of God in flesh. When the gospel is preached you are taking Christ into the streets and countries, those that hear the gospel, hears God speak to them. So if an unbeliever hears the Word of God (the gospel, Jesus Christ) preached and begins to develop faith by hearing the word of God, then it is God that initiates the faith in a man to seek out salvation in Christ. It is Christ (God in Flesh) that commanded us to go out and preach the gospel and it is Him that is in the word that is preached, reaching out to the hearts of men.

Limited atonement: This is the belief that God sent Jesus Christ to die for the sins of his chosen saints only, and not for the sins of those who are unbelievers.

There is no verse that any Calvanist can provide that will support this statement without their interjection of misguided interpretation. I think this was already addressed above but I will list some verses that support the fact that this ideology is wrong. John 3:16 is already listed in this blog so here are some more;

Romans 5:18-19

¹⁸ Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

¹⁹ For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

John 10:12-13

¹² For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

¹³ For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Irresistable grace: This is the belief that God’s chosen elect cannot resist God’s grace in their lives.

First we start with answering these questions; To whom does the bible refer to God’s elect? and What does the bible refer to in regards to God’s grace?

Ouestion (1) To whom does the bible refer to God’s elect?

If you read the bible all the way through you will see in the old testament and the new testament that the word ‘elect‘ has been used to represent different people at different times. It was not solely reserved for the Jews nor was it soley reserved for born again christians. It may seem hard to believe based on some of the theology being preached by certain Jewish Rabbi, that say only Jews are the chosen elect. There are also Christian theologians that preach the title of elect, belongs to a chosen few that were predestined by God and no one else. Well here at this site we like the bible to define the meanings of words, so read the following scriptures and see the evidence that the word elect has been used to refer to many different people;

1 Peter 2:6 (Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.) This scripture reference for elect pertains to Christ.

Isaiah 45:4 (For Jacob my servants’s sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.) This scripture reference for elect pertains to Israel.

Colossians 3:11-12 (11-Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. 12-Put on therefore, as the elect of God, hold and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; ) This scripture reference for elect pertains to Believers in Christ

1 Timothy 5:21 (I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.) This scripture reference for elect pertains to Angels.

The word elect means chosen and all over the bible God has elected many people for a purpose. In the old testament he chose Israel as a portion of the people on earth to be His. Obedient to Him and not following in worldly wisdom. His intention was to show the rest of the people in the world that the true and living God is the God of Israel. Based on his promises of protection, provision, healing, wisdom and the miraculous power to enact every one of those promises, God used Israel as the soil to create a holy people, that would not just be an example to the world, but also bring forward a seed (Jesus Christ). That seed (Jesus) was then planted in the earth and when It died (Christ crucifixtion), it brought forward God’s true intention which was Salvation through Christ for all men. This is why Christ said it was finished on the cross. He knew his gospel of the kingdom tilled the soil of men’s hearts, His sacrifice paid the price for their sins forever, and His resurrection made available salvation for all mankind. How is this relevant to the elect? Look at the next verse;

John 12:32 “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me.”

This verse was not just a for-shadow of Christ’s final moments on earth, but I believe the Holy Spirity has revealed to me that there is an alternative meaning to this verse. Remeber Jesus was called the Word of God in flesh. He ebodied the whole idea of the God we served. He said it Himself if you have seen Me you have seen the Father. So if Jesus (the word in flesh) is lifted up, notice the verse says ‘I’, ‘He’ will draw all men not just a few but all men to him. If lifting up Jesus (the word of God), would draw all men unto him, then who’s will was it to lift up Jesus as a seed, a sacrifice? It was God’s predestined will to use His only begotten Son as a seed to redeem mankind from sin and offer salvation to those who would believe. The chosen are those who like Christ surrendered their own will and wisdom to the word of God in obedience. Receiving salvation is not absent of the choice to believe. Contrary to Calvinistic ideology God does not force us against our will to serve him, he draws us through the word (Christ). We have a choice to be obedient or rebel against his word (Christ) as Adam did. The following verses by Apostle Paul, will support clearly who are the elect of God in the New Testament. It is also possible for a people once considered the elect of God to reject his Grace, Jesus Christ:

Romans 10: 8-21

⁸ But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;(Jesus being lifted up)

⁹ That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

¹⁰ For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

¹¹ For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

¹² For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

¹³ For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

¹⁴ How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

¹⁵ And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

¹⁶ But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

¹⁷ So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

¹⁸ But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.

¹⁹ But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.

²⁰ But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.

²¹ But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.

NB: In verse: 8, I added a notation in brackets to highlight where God is lifting up his word Jesus Christ when people are obedient and preach the Gospels. Also I highlighted in the scripture the portions that specifically mentioned the choice that men have and that is to believe or not to believe. That is the extent of our choice in the matter of salvation. We cannot innitiate it or enact the power of salvation all we can do is chose to accept it as a gift in obedience. I also highlighted the portion of the scripture where it describes people rejecting the gospel in disobedience after hearing the report from the apostle.

MY CONCLUSIONS:

• Predestination does not apply to the salvation of men in the sense that God chose a selct few to be saved and left the rest to burn, but the opportunity of being saved in Christ was predestined by God.
• The elect refers to different people or individuals based on the text in the bible you are reading. In the New Testament the elect are the chosen of God and it refers to the believers in Christ. Not just the Israelites, especially not those that don’t believe in Christ as the messiah.
• Anyone who was saved is drawn by God, because the seed He planted on earth was lifted up and It drew all men to God. Not just a select predestined few, but any who would believe.
• God is soverign and He can do anything he wants, but the current situation in the earth is not governed by God. If God was in control then he would be contradicting His own word. John 10:10 “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”  Can you say that the earth is complete with life in abundance which would require peace, or is it filled with death war and violence? Also to confirm God is not in control but man is read Genesis 1:26 “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.”  Adam lost his dominion over the earth in the garden of Eden when he sinned. Since then the earth has had no ruler, allowing the sinfulness of men to run the world, influenced by evil principalities as was Adam. This is why the world is in chaos and turmoil. This is why we need a savior and this is why Christ is coming back to regain dominion over the earth and put an end to the rule of death and sin on the earth.

This blog may end up being controvercial since this topic is highly debated, but this is my belief on this issue. If you disagree I understand you may have a different view point, but in the end we both love Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. We both have surrendered to the will of God and accept his wisdom in our lives. Let us not be an obstacle for anyone else to do the same, by placing barriors and limitations on who can actually be saved. Let’s lift up Christ (the Word of God) and allow him to draw all men unto him.

God Bless