The verb to predestine means “to determine in advance or beforehand” for a fate or purpose. In (Romans 8:29,30), Paul uses this term in relation to salvation of mankind through Jesus Christ. A majority of people read these verses and conclude or rather assume that God elects some to salvation and others to damnation, irrespective of their own choice. If this is the case, then is there any justice from God? That some from birth are chosen for heaven and others for hell? Let us consider these verses;
Romans 8:29-30
29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
We notice that there is a pattern in these two verses as highlighted. God foreknew a people, and these He determined beforehand to be like Christ, therefore, He calls, justifies and will glorify them. Hold on to that thought for a little while. See In the beginning, God created man in His image and likeness (Gen 1:27) meaning at that point, they were sinless and hence had a personal intimate relationship with God (Gen 3:8) but after they sinned, the seed which came from the woman’s womb, was of man’s own image and likeness (Gen 5:3) ; the fallen nature. So, we note that from the very beginning, God’s intention was for man to reflect His character, remember ‘let us create man in our image and likeness’ (Gen 1:26) have communion with Him and bring glory to Him.
That is why we read, God calls His people with a holy calling and not according to their works but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to them in Christ before time began (2 Tim 1:9). He tells us to depart from iniquity (2 Tim 2:19) which initially separated man from God and calls us to the One who can take away our sins (John 1:29); and thereby being justified (Rom 3:24; 5:1) and adopted as His children (Eph 1:4,5).
In (Romans 8:29,30), Paul looks to eternity past and sees that God’s purpose for His people has only been good: He foreknew and predestined believers to be like Christ. Then he looks to the recent past and sees that God called and justified His people. Finally, Paul looks to the distant future and finds that God’s plan is to glorify, that is, to give a resurrection body to all who have been justified. Glorified is used as a ‘prophetic perfect’ speaking of a future event as if it were already done, because it is certain that God will do it.
God’s desire
God desires that all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim 2:4). He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). There is no biblical evidence that God Has decreed that some persons should be lost. To have such an idea is to contradict the very character and intention of God. It is to deny Calvary, where Jesus dies for everyone. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16), the whoever shows that anyone can be saved.
We notice that there is a pattern in these two verses as highlighted. God foreknew a people, and these He determined beforehand to be like Christ, therefore, He calls, justifies and will glorify them. Hold on to that thought for a little while. See In the beginning, God created man in His image and likeness (Gen 1:27) meaning at that point, they were sinless and hence had a personal intimate relationship with God (Gen 3:8) but after they sinned, the seed which came from the woman’s womb, was of man’s own image and likeness (Gen 5:3) ; the fallen nature. So, we note that from the very beginning, God’s intention was for man to reflect His character, remember ‘let us create man in our image and likeness’ (Gen 1:26) have communion with Him and bring glory to Him.
That is why we read, God calls His people with a holy calling and not according to their works but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to them in Christ before time began (2 Tim 1:9). He tells us to depart from iniquity (2 Tim 2:19) which initially separated man from God and calls us to the One who can take away our sins (John 1:29); and thereby being justified (Rom 3:24; 5:1) and adopted as His children (Eph 1:4,5).
In (Romans 8:29,30), Paul looks to eternity past and sees that God’s purpose for His people has only been good: He foreknew and predestined believers to be like Christ. Then he looks to the recent past and sees that God called and justified His people. Finally, Paul looks to the distant future and finds that God’s plan is to glorify, that is, to give a resurrection body to all who have been justified. Glorified is used as a ‘prophetic perfect’ speaking of a future event as if it were already done, because it is certain that God will do it.
God’s desire
God desires that all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim 2:4). He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). There is no biblical evidence that God Has decreed that some persons should be lost. To have such an idea is to contradict the very character and intention of God. It is to deny Calvary, where Jesus dies for everyone. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16), the whoever shows that anyone can be saved.
Free will
This is one topic where people have differed opinions, some claim that man has no free will while another group affirms that man has free will. Let us consider the case of the first humans created by God. After being put in the garden of Eden, God instructs them on how they should conduct themselves even as they lived therein. One of God’s instructions was that they eat not of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for in the day they do so they shall surely die (Gen 2:17). We know that God sees the end from the beginning (Isa 46:10), meaning He knew that Adam and Eve would act in disobedience but still left the choice to them. He tells them what to do and the consequences of disobedience but leaves them to decide whether to obey or not. Man’s free will is the determining factor in his personal destiny. This is evident from the fact that God continually presents the results of obedience and disobedience, and urges the sinner to choose obedience and life (Deut 30:19; Joshua 24:15; Isa 1:16; Rev 22:17).
It is also evident that we have free will from the fact that it is possible for the believer, having once been a recipient of grace, to fall away and be lost (1 Cor 9:27, Gal 5:4, Heb 6:4-6; 10:29). God may foresee each individual choice that will be made, but His fore knowledge does not determine what that choice shall be. Bible predestination consists in the effective purpose of God that all who choose to believe in Christ shall be saved (John 1:12; Eph 1:4-10).
It is also evident that we have free will from the fact that it is possible for the believer, having once been a recipient of grace, to fall away and be lost (1 Cor 9:27, Gal 5:4, Heb 6:4-6; 10:29). God may foresee each individual choice that will be made, but His fore knowledge does not determine what that choice shall be. Bible predestination consists in the effective purpose of God that all who choose to believe in Christ shall be saved (John 1:12; Eph 1:4-10).
References
1 “Spirit filled life Bible”, New King James Version, Jack W. Hayford, Litt. D, Jerry Horner, Th.D. et al (USA; Thomas Nelson, inc,1979,1980, 1991) p.1701
2. “The sovereignty of God,” Seventh-day Adventists fundamental beliefs, ministerial association, general conference of Seventh-day Adventists (USA; pacific press publishing association, Boise, ID 83653) p.28
3. Image from moldedbyhim.com
2. “The sovereignty of God,” Seventh-day Adventists fundamental beliefs, ministerial association, general conference of Seventh-day Adventists (USA; pacific press publishing association, Boise, ID 83653) p.28
3. Image from moldedbyhim.com
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