Question: Predestination
Google: Romans 8:29-30 tells us, “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.” Ephesians 1:5 and 11 declare, “He predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will…In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will.”
Comment: There is strong opinion in some Christian Groups that only some people are called to seek out the Truth of Almighty God. That may be the case, but it is the opinion of the writers that the Salvation Message of God in Christ Jesus, is for all people who are willing and sincere in their search. In the case of the Calvinist groups, they are very adamant in their opinion that “only the called can be saved”! Interestingly, although Calvin taught that “idea”, he refused to endorse it into the Articles of the Group, but after his death it was included in the “Synod of Dort”.
Our view is as follows:
God has made it clear that He WANTS people to work towards Him, to work at Scripture, to work at prayer; and to find Him in Christ Jesus. The following verses from Scripture make the point!
In Scripture, there are a number of texts that show that God has pleasure in those that seek after Him: Zeph. 2:3, Dan. 10:12, Heb. 11:6, Acts 17:27, Jer. 29:13 & Rev. 22:17, and more besides. These show that "working" towards knowing God is pleasurable to Him, and not as some say and teach, that it is a "works based activity", which is not allowed in their "rules"!
An incontrovertible point is made by Jesus Christ Himself when asked what the works of God are; "the works of God are that you believe in Him whom He has sent", (John 6:28-29)!
The "work" is done by Jesus, the "Offer" is made by the Father to the world's people, we decide with our "free-will"!
The conclusion of the matter is, as Martin Luther said, “Salvation is by faith in Christ Jesus"; which was the cry of Habakkuk ("the just shall live by faith”), in approx. BC 500, during a time of apostasy in Israel's history. Then as now, Satan has the Truth in denial, and as our Lord stated, "Satan is the prince of this world" but only for a short time!
See: Calvinist "Works" Teaching (study)
A very telling verse that shows the pleasure Almighty God has in the seeker after Truth is Hebrews 11:6; "But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God (Theos = the revealed God) must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him", (this seeking would be called works by extreme Calvinists). This Chapter comments on the great men of God, and shows the criterion of "faith”.
God in the past, as shown above, set up situations in His planned opposition to Satan, which needed His servants active participation. He then approached His “chosen” person, and requested their involvement, by their active will!
The situation is similar as regards His approach to people (via. His Holy Spirit), in the makeup of the number of the Body of Christ, (of which there is a definite number Rom. 11:25). When the last person (by their free-will) has turned to Jesus the Christ for Salvation; this process will end; and a New Age will begin!
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