Daily Archives: October 20, 2017

Weekly Devotional 10-23-17 Predestination, Election & The Righteousness of God

Weekly Devotional 10-23-17
Predestination-Election & The Righteousness of God

Recently, I was asked if I believed in duo predestination. That is, do I believe that God predestines some persons to be saved, and predestines others not to be. My answer of course was no. I do not believe this. I countered, how could God be a righteous, just God if He allowed any person to be conceived predetermining that he or she would have no possibility of redemption? Jesus in conversation with Nicodemus said, “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). Jesus’ implementation of the word “whoever” contradicts the concept that certain ones are predestined or predetermined by God to not be saved. Previous to Jesus speaking the words of John 3:16, He said, “14And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:14-15). Again, these words extend the offer of salvation to all persons. How could the Son of God offer salvation to persons who were barred from salvation by a pre-determination of God? Don’t these verses imply that salvation is a matter of choice? Yes, they do. The problem, however, is that no one, again I write no one, on their own will seek God. In the aforementioned conversation with Nicodemus, Jesus said, “19And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed” (John 3:19-20). Paul reiterated this same truth in his letter to the Romans when he wrote; “10As it is written: There is none righteous, no, not one; 11There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God” (Romans 3:10-11). So it is, that man has blindly chosen to follow the path of destruction. He was not forced, but chooses a path away from God.

Additionally, in God’s loving, righteous and just nature, He does not allow or prevent anyone by predestination from being saved. In truth, as shown above, salvation is offered to everyone. The realization of salvation, however, is a complete surrender of one’s self to the authority of God. Man will not surrender himself. Man will come just so close in surrendering himself to God, but no further. Remember, God so loved the world (so loved man) that He gave himself as the propitiation, the redemption of man. He wants fellowship with man, but man is dead towards God. That is, man is so separated from God that he does not desire fellowship with God. Nor can ever stand in the presence of Holy God.

Did these things, man’s rebellion and rejection of God’s authority (man’s sin) take God by surprise? No! Jesus Christ revealed to John the Revelator that before God created the world He made provision for man to be restored to fellowship. Furthermore, he provided for him to be able to stand righteous in the presence of God. We read from Revelation 13:8 and 17:8, that God recorded the names of those who would be saved. But wait, no man seeks after God (Romans 3:10-11). So how is this accomplished? Enter election. To assure that the sacrifice of God the Son would be honored, and that some men could stand righteously in His presence throughout eternity, God elected or foreordained that some would answer His call and turn to Him. (See John 3:1-8 and Ephesians 2:1-10).

In that God doesn’t elect, or doesn’t choose all men to salvation, does not mean they are pre-ordained or predestined to reject Him. It does mean that in their rejection they are predestined to be eternally separated from Him. We must remember God has made known His being to all (see Romans 1:16-32). The solicitation of the Holy Spirit is for man to turn from sin. God has given a general call to all, but gives a specific call to many. The general call is never rescinded, it stands. God does not force anyone to choose one way or the other. This is the volition of each person. The hardness of man’s heart however prevents him from renouncing his sin and turning to God. Yet, the call stands. It is God’s goodness that overcomes the hardness in the many. If you are one of the many, be grateful. If you are not one of the many, don’t blame God. He, in the person of Jesus Christ, paid the penalty of your sin. Forgiveness is available in Christ alone.

Blessings

stevelampman@comcast.net stevelampman.com
Transforming Power; The Work of God on Behalf of Man

 

 

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