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NOBODY BELIEVES IN PREDESTINATION ANYMORE
A relative once asked this preacher about the
differences between two Presbyterian groups. His answer mentioned that the two
Presbyterian groups held somewhat different views of predestination. His
relative's reply was, “Predestination! I didn't know anybody believes in
predestination anymore!” This relative was an active member of long standing in
a Protestant denomination. Perhaps because she never heard any teaching in her
church on the subject, she thought that nobody in this modern era still believes
in predestination.
Actually, the truth of a thing does not depend
on whether it is believed or not. The truth of a religious teaching depends on
whether or not the Bible teaches it. Since the words “predestinate” and
“predestinated” are found in the Bible, if you believe the Bible you must
believe in predestination. The aforementioned words are found as follows:
“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,” (Romans 8:29).
“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,” (Romans 8:30).
“Having predestinated us unto the adoption of
children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his
will,” (Ephesians 1:5).
In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being
predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the
counsel of his own will,” (Ephesians 1:11).
A careful reading of these four verses along
with an examination of their context should convince any unprejudiced person
that there is indeed such a thing as predestination. That predestination
involves certain individuals is clear for it is
“whom he [God]
did predestinate.”
That predestination took place sometime in the past is obvious. That
predestination or pre-determination has been accomplished by the God
“who worketh all things after the counsel of his own
will,” is stated. God accomplished this
predestination “according to the good pleasure
of his will.” It is sad that many professing
Christians spend their time either in outright denial of the teaching of
predestination or in trying to explain it away.
Predestination is the second step in God's
plan of salvation following foreknowledge. Foreknowledge is God's knowing or
setting His love upon individuals. Following predestination comes the effectual
calling to Christ by which the lost sinner is brought to Christ. Next comes
justification: the judicial act of God in declaring the believer righteous.
After justification comes glorification. Notice all these are in the past tense
in Romans 8:30. The salvation of those predestinated is so sure that God views
these persons as already glorified – i.e. they are in His mind and purpose
already in possession of their eternal glorified bodies. The Bible says,
“Known unto God are all his works from the beginning
of the world,” (Acts 15:18). This is the God
with whom we have to do. The teaching of predestination will promote the fear of
the Lord and humility in those predestinated. But, alas, almost nobody believes
in predestination anymore. |