“But rather what we are setting forth is a wisdom of God once hidden from the human understanding, and now revealed to us by God—that wisdom which God devised and decreed before the ages for our glorification [to lift us into the glory of His presence].” – 1 Corinthians 2:7
Over the years I have read a lot of predestination theories. And I’ve followed a number of debates about how some believe in predestination, and how others totally disagree. I personally, are on the side of the ones not supporting predestination, for the pure fact that I can’t believe that a loving Father will predestine some of His children to be saved, and others to be abandoned and to live a life of purposeless existence. I honestly cant’ imagine that we are all puppets part of a pre-planned act, with God being the puppet master. “There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and so he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love’s complete perfection].” – 1 John 4:18
Over the years I have read a lot of predestination theories. And I’ve followed a number of debates about how some believe in predestination, and how others totally disagree. I personally, are on the side of the ones not supporting predestination, for the pure fact that I can’t believe that a loving Father will predestine some of His children to be saved, and others to be abandoned and to live a life of purposeless existence. I honestly cant’ imagine that we are all puppets part of a pre-planned act, with God being the puppet master. “There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and so he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love’s complete perfection].” – 1 John 4:18
Predestination. Maybe this is a new subject to you? Or maybe you have heard about it? Maybe you’ve even been part of a discussion regarding predestination? And maybe you have your own perception regarding this matter. But for clarity sake, let me give a short description of the predestination doctrine: Some people are predestined to salvation; whilst others are predestined to condemnation. Some people are predestined to be successful in business, whilst others are predestined to suffer financially. Some people are predestined to find love and happiness, whilst others are predestined to be alone and depressed. And in extreme theories some people are predestined to spend eternity with God, whilst others are on their way to hell. To summarize – God determines the fate of every person in advance.
“For we are God’s own handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].” – Ephesians 2:10
So if we are not predestined to a good or bad life, what are the paths the Bible refers to? And what exactly has God prearranged for us? The answer lies in the very first section of the verse – born anew (James 1:18)! We need to use our free will to choose God above the world (Matthew 6:19-21). God predestined for all of us to one day spend eternity with Him (Romans 6:23). We need to follow the perfect example of Jesus, and go and make disciples of all the nations (Matthew 28:19). We need to take the Gospel to all the corners of this earth (Colossians 1:27). You need to love God with all your heart and with all your soul (Luke 10:27). In fact, the love of God should so strongly shine within, that we have a willingness to lay down our own lives for a brother or sister (1 John 3:16). We need to live with a Godly purpose (Romans 8:28). We are predestined to use our free will to enter into relationship with God, because one day every tongue will confess He is God, and one day every knee will bow (Romans 14:11).
“If you love someone, set them free. (If they come back they are yours; if they don’t they never were.)”
In worldly terms this quote makes a lot of sense, but in spiritual terms only the first part is true. The part that refers to free will! God set us free, to go and choose to live a life with Him close to us (2 Thessalonians 2:13). Therefore predestination should not be confused with our free will. Everybody is called do something, it is just that not everybody obeys their calling! So just because someone’s life is not going according to their plan, it doesn’t mean that God decided to condemn them. God’s love is for everyone (John 3:16)! Including every murderer, rapist, fraudster, cheater, abuser, and sinner, every religion on earth, and every culture out there (Isaiah 14:27). It is not limited to only Christians, and most definitely not limited to only certain denominations in the Christian believe system. It is never too late to accept God’s gift of friendship (just think of the criminal next to Jesus on the cross, who were saved minutes before he died! Luke 23:42-43). “Before I formed you in the womb I knew and approved of you as My chosen instrument, and before you were born I separated and set you apart.” – Jeremiah 1:5a
We are predestined for a love relationship with our Saviour! But the choice remains your own. Do you accept His outstretched hand? Do you accept His free gift of love? And do you wish to one day spend eternity with Him? “The Lord will not forsake His people for His great name’s sake, for it has pleased Him to make you a people for Himself.” – 1 Samuel 12:22
Let us make this known to all the nations, and spread the Good News of the perfect Gospel!
Blessings
Yolandi
“For we are God’s own handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].” – Ephesians 2:10
So if we are not predestined to a good or bad life, what are the paths the Bible refers to? And what exactly has God prearranged for us? The answer lies in the very first section of the verse – born anew (James 1:18)! We need to use our free will to choose God above the world (Matthew 6:19-21). God predestined for all of us to one day spend eternity with Him (Romans 6:23). We need to follow the perfect example of Jesus, and go and make disciples of all the nations (Matthew 28:19). We need to take the Gospel to all the corners of this earth (Colossians 1:27). You need to love God with all your heart and with all your soul (Luke 10:27). In fact, the love of God should so strongly shine within, that we have a willingness to lay down our own lives for a brother or sister (1 John 3:16). We need to live with a Godly purpose (Romans 8:28). We are predestined to use our free will to enter into relationship with God, because one day every tongue will confess He is God, and one day every knee will bow (Romans 14:11).
“If you love someone, set them free. (If they come back they are yours; if they don’t they never were.)”
In worldly terms this quote makes a lot of sense, but in spiritual terms only the first part is true. The part that refers to free will! God set us free, to go and choose to live a life with Him close to us (2 Thessalonians 2:13). Therefore predestination should not be confused with our free will. Everybody is called do something, it is just that not everybody obeys their calling! So just because someone’s life is not going according to their plan, it doesn’t mean that God decided to condemn them. God’s love is for everyone (John 3:16)! Including every murderer, rapist, fraudster, cheater, abuser, and sinner, every religion on earth, and every culture out there (Isaiah 14:27). It is not limited to only Christians, and most definitely not limited to only certain denominations in the Christian believe system. It is never too late to accept God’s gift of friendship (just think of the criminal next to Jesus on the cross, who were saved minutes before he died! Luke 23:42-43). “Before I formed you in the womb I knew and approved of you as My chosen instrument, and before you were born I separated and set you apart.” – Jeremiah 1:5a
We are predestined for a love relationship with our Saviour! But the choice remains your own. Do you accept His outstretched hand? Do you accept His free gift of love? And do you wish to one day spend eternity with Him? “The Lord will not forsake His people for His great name’s sake, for it has pleased Him to make you a people for Himself.” – 1 Samuel 12:22
Let us make this known to all the nations, and spread the Good News of the perfect Gospel!
Blessings
Yolandi