The difficult subject of predestination

A Look at Ephesians 1:4-5

“just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him.  In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will.” NASV

Some key words to pick out from this passage and ideas

Vs.4- “He chose” eklegomai is the transliterated word meaning to pick out, choose, to pick or to choose out for one’s self.   He did this it says before the foundation of the world.  IN other words, before we could say or do anything to earn it.  He did this for the purpose of our being holy and blameless before Him.

Vs.5- The word predestined is mentioned.  It is used six times in scripture and his the word proorizo.  Most often translated predestined but also determine before and ordain.  Used in Acts 4:28, Romans 8:29.30, 1 Corinthians 2:7; Ephesians 1:5,11.  In verse 5 it says that those who were chosen were chosen before the foundation of the world.  They didn't earn it and they did not receive it based on their goodness.  They received it so that they could be blameless and holy before God.

Vs.5 He predestined  us to adoption as sons- this word adoption as sons is used 5x in Romans 8:15,23, Romans 9:4, Gal 4:5 and Ephesians 1:5.  Adoption gives the one who is adopted all legal rights as a heir.  The Bible speaks often of the believer being a heir. Romans 8:17, Gal 4:7, James 2:5.

Vs.5 a key word is “through”.  He did this through Jesus Christ.  The word through is dia which means the ground or reason by which something is or is not done.  He is the reason and the grounds upon which those who are predestined could be chosen.

Vs.5 the kind intention- eudokia most often translated “good pleasure”, will or choice.

So, if God chose us before the foundations of the world then the whole basis on which a person is saved has nothing to do with what we do?  Or does it?  If God alone predestined a person and we have nothing to do with it then how can a person be sure they were one of the ones who are predestined?  What does this imply about evangelistic efforts?

The Ministry of the Holy Spirit

   It is important for the believer to understand that God has given us His Holy Spirit in order to help us and guide us in our daily walk with Him.  Below is a list of verses and a brief explanation of what the role of the Spirit is in our lives and His ministry to us.

John 3:3,5- Jesus said that a person has to be born of water (natural birth) and the Spirit to see the kingdom of God.  One of the role of the Spirit is regeneration.

Romans 8:11- The Spirit indwells the believer.  The word dwells is oikeo which means to dwell in. It is the indwelling power of the Spirit that ultimately will raise up the believer at the resurrection. 

1 John 2:20, 27- He anoints- His anointing teaches us all things.  The Spirit bears witness of Jesus and reminds the believer of Jesus’ words.  He “takes of Mine, and will disclose it to you.” Verse 15 of John 16.

John 16:13- He guides- the word guide is hodegeo which means to be a guide, lead on one’s way, to guide, to be a guide or a teacher.  The Spirit will guide into all truth and will speak what he hears.

2 Thess 2:13- Through sanctification of the Spirit and faith in the truth God chose them from the beginning for salvation.

Romans 8:16, Hebrews 10:15.  The Spirit bears witness with our Spirit that we are children of God.

John 14:16-26- Comforts- the Father sent us the Holy Spirit who is our helper

Romans 14:17- The kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit

1 Corinthians 2:10-16- God reveals all truth through the Spirit that searches all things, even the depths of God.

Galatians 5:22,23- The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ,gentleness and self control

1 Corinthians 12:3-11- gives good gifts- to each believer a manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.  Verse 11 indicates he works all these things, distributing gifts to each individual just as He wills.

Romans 8:26- the Holy Spirit intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

Getting Ahead of God

This last week Dr.Charles Stanley had a sermon titled "Getting Ahead of God" where he talked about Genesis 16:2-5. Abram had been in the land of Canaan for ten years and they didn't have any children, so Sarai decided to give Hagar to Abram as his wife. Dr.Stanley talked about in his message about how we can also get ahead of God. People do this for a variety of reasons. Some of the reasons mentioned were afriad of failure, afraid they are missing out on something, impatient, deceived by appearances, listening to others and not God, unbelief.

I've had this happen in my own life where I didn't pray as much or as often as I should and just did what I thought best without asking God what he wanted.
This is exactly what happened to Joshua when the Gibeonites came to see them in Joshua 9. It says, "They did not ask for the counsel of the Lord." Joshua 9:14. And this led to a huge problem for them from that point on because they made a covenant with a people they had no business making agreements with. This is here to show us their mistakes so we will learn from them

This is in scripture for a lesson to us. If your facing some decision then ask God for his counsel. Ask him to make it clear to you. Don't just do whatever you want. Make prayer a habit on a daily basis so your use to His voice and know HIs ways. Get into God's word and read and study it. 2 Timothy 3:16 says, "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work."

The Crown of Life

     There is a place that I pass when I am driving to work where road crews have planted sunflowers in the median.  A few weeks ago, these flowers were all in bloom.  After a few weeks, they began to wilt and now they have been plowed over for a new planting to occur.  James tells us in James 1:9-11, that the rich man is like those flowers.  They might look glorious for a period of time, but they quickly fade away (1 Cor 7:31).

      Rather than seeking to become rich, which leads to many problems (1 Timothy 6:9), the believer should seek the crown of life.  The crown of life is the reward that God has promised to those who love him and persevere in the midst of trials (James 1:12).  The word perseveres is the word hypomeno which means to remain, to endure.  This idea began back in verses 2-5 when James said that the one who endures under trial builds endurance and character.  This is a theme that runs throughout scripture that there is a purpose behind the trials of the believer.  That God is doing something great and building character and the fruit of his spirit in the life of the believer when they resist the devil and personal lusts.

      James wants to make it clear to the reader that God is not the source of the temptation.  He clearly states, "God cannot be tempted by evil and He Himself does not tempt anyone." verse 13.  Rather, it is the lust of the person that leads to sin and sin leads to death.  Jesus said this in Matthew 15:19-20 that it is out of the heart that sins such as murder, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness and slanders occur.  Not a popular message today, but a true one.  It doesn't make us feel good perhaps, but we need to understand where these tendencies come from.

     Rather, God is the source of all good things.  James said it this way, 'Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, whith whome there is no variation, or shifting shadow." James 1:17  By calling God the Father of lights he is mentioning God's purity and holiness.  This is the same thing that John said in 1 John 1:5 "And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all."  This means that God not only knows how to give good gifts, but all the good gifts we have are from Him.  It also means that I can trust Him because he won't mislead me and isn't capable of giving me gifts that aren't good for me.  This is a God that I can trust in because he is pure, holy and good.

What does it mean to you that God is light and there is no variation or shifting shadow in HIm? James 1:17
Why is it important to consider that the rich man will fade away like a flower?  Where does that tell us our priorities should be?
Why is it important to remember that when we are tempted that God is not the one doing the tempting?  Is it comforting to know that God cannot be tempted by evil?

Mark 2:14-28 Levi is called, questions about fasting and the Sabbath

Mark 2:14-28 Levi is called, questions about fasting and the Sabbath

Vs.14-17- Jesus calls Matthew or Levi to follow him. This is also in Matthew 9:9-13 and Luke 5:27-32. The word "follow" is akoloutheo means to follow one who precedes or it can mean to accompany to join as a disciple. This dinner in Luke account is called a reception. The tax gatherers and sinners is denoting that these were unrepentant sinners who were invited. Jesus said in vs.17 that he came to call or invite the sinner not the healthy. The word “to call” vs.17 is kaleo or to invite, to call by name. When Matthew got up from the tax booth he left everything else behind to follow him and never looked back.  Isn't it interesting how sinners felt comfortable and even loved in the presence of Jesus.  How often is that the case in our churches today that people feel loved and accepted?

Vs.18-22- Jesus and his disciples were walking through a grain field and John’s disciples and the Pharisees wanted to know why the disciples didn’t fast. Jesus compares himself to the bridegroom and says that while the bridegroom is with them they don’t fast, but they will one day. The bride is the church. This same section is in Luke 5:33-39. The Pharisees typically fasted twice a week Luke 18:12. One day Jesus is coming back for his bride. Revelations 19:7-9 for the marriage supper of the Lamb.

Vs.23-28 This is also in Matthew 12:1-8. Jesus declares his lordship over the Sabbath and says that the Sabbath was created for man’s benefit. Jesus told them according to version in Matthew that he desires compassion and not sacrifice and that they were condemning the innocent. The Pharisees had a blind spot to compassion when it came to following the law. A similar thing is said in Hosea 6:6. Could it be that following the law still gives people the same blind spot. Jesus said he didn't come to call the self sufficient but the sinner who has need of him.

Vs.21 Jesus was saying it is not wise to try and patch the old system with the new. That the two are not compatible.

The reference to the consecrated bread is 1 Samuel 21:1-6 where David is running from Saul and takes the consecrated bread and Goliath’s sword.

Jesus calls his first disciples Mark 1:14-20

     After Jesus had completed his time of temptation in the wilderness, he was ready to start his public ministry.  His preaching ministry begins with these words in Mark 1:15

  'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel"

    In my studies, I thought about what it meant for Jesus to say that the time is fulfilled.  The word fulfilled is pleroo or it means to make full, complete.  It carries with it that this is the time when the fulfillment of all the promises of the prophets will be completed.  Jesus was saying that in his coming he is the fulfillment of what the prophets had talked about.

    So, Jesus begins to build his team of disciples that he will live with and teach closely over the next three years.  And it says that he was in Galilee sometime after John the Baptist had been taken into custody and he saw Simon and Andrew and James and John fishing.  He calls to them and tells them they will become fishers of men and their response is to immediately leave what they have and go to him.  I wish I would always be that obedient to the calling God has for me.  For all of the grief that Peter takes for betraying him here he is immediately faithful to leave his prosperous fishing business and follow without hesitation.

    Luke adds to this story in a way that Matthew and Mark do not, by adding that prior to this Jesus had asked to borrow Peter's boat to sit in while he was preaching Luke 5:1-11.  After he had completed his message he told Peter to let down their nets for a caught.  This was odd because with casting nets the nets would normally be cast at night since the fish would come to the top of the water at that time and go lower when it was daylight.  Peter was already tired and frustrated and yet he was also obedient.  To him, to do fishing now simply didn't make sense.  In verse 5 he protests, "Master, we worked hard all ngiht and caught nothing, but at Your bidding I will let down the nets."

    The result is that the net start to break due to the large amount of fish they haul in.  To the point, that Peter signals James and John to come help them.  Peter is astonished.  He realizes that nothing has changed except that now Jesus is there.  His response is "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord."  Peter realizes that while he did Jesus bidding it was with a heart that didn't believe it would matter and that they were all wasting their time.  But, now Peter is wiling to repent of his poor attitude and doesn't even feel worthy of being with him.

   It reminds me of seasons in my life when God has worked despite me instead of because of me.  It also shows me that even when we are reluctant to his will the simple act of obedience is rewarded.  God knows our weaknesses and our struggles and it is transparent before him.  Psalm 139:3 says,

   "Thou dost scrutinize my path and my lying down, and art intimately acquainted with all my ways."

  So, Jesus knew what was in Peter when he called him and was not surprised by Peter's sinful attitudes or actions.  Neither is he surprised or caught off guard by ours.  He simply calls us to repent and believe in Him, to put our trust in Him.  These type of situations where there is little hope and then the boat is full shows us that God can provide at all times and he is completely trustworthy.

Like a Oak Tree Romans 5:3-5

    When I was first married, we lived next store to a couple that had large pin oak trees in their backyard.  These trees were a hundred or more years old (not the one in the picture).  It made it so that they couldn't grow grass in their backyard because it got very little sun.  Some of those trees may have been around when Thomas Jefferson was alive.  It always amazes me when I look at a large tree and see its massive root system.

    You don't really see and can't tell that a large tree is still growing.  it is growing though and continually strengthening itself over time.  The roots are slowly spreading out to support its growing size and strength.  You can tell though when a storm comes and instead of breaking the tree moves and bends and bears up under the power of a storm.  I think that is true in a christian's life as well, the best way to see the growth is that it has good roots and it has been through some storms.

    Paul spoke alot about the storms of life because he knew that they would come to all of us.  But, he also knew that God could use them to strengthen us.  In Romans 5:3-5 he says "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."  This passage tells us that God is up to something in our adversity.  He is attempting to make us stronger through the adversity and will bring something good out of it.

    I've had seasons in my life where it didn't seem like much was happening.  I could see no great growth going on.  Much like trying to watch a tree or grass grow it is hard to see in the minute to minutes times of life.  But, then an adversity will come along (as it always does) and it tests the root system.  These tests can come in all forms of troubles and anxiety of life.  Mine will not be the same as yours as there are things that bother me that might not bother someone else.  The point is, that God is up to something in the middle of it.  We can do our part by putting down a good root system during those times when we can study, pray, read and witness and worship.

    It reminds me of the story about Jesus being tempted by the devil.  Of course, Jesus was God in the flesh and knew scripture because it was His Father's Words.  But, he had also grown up in the synagogue as a boy being taken there by Joseph and Mary.  He had hidden God's word in his heart and when there was a trial it was there to be used to defeat the devil.  Psalm 119:105 says, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."  By spending time in God's word it helps us to have light during those dark times in our life when trouble comes.  It always amazes me about how ignorant people are about the Bible and what it says.  Your job as a believer is to get into the word, to study it, to read it to live it, so that you stay out of situations you have no business being in.  But, also it helps guide you during those times when trouble is unavoidable.   I want to be more like those trees in my neighbors backyard that stood strong when storms came.