Chosen By God

1. Predestination: God's Plan Before Time

What predestination means, in its most elementary form, is that our final destination, heaven or hell, is decided by God not only before we get there, but before we are even born.

God's eternal decision. Predestination is the concept that God, before the creation of the world, determined the eternal destiny of individuals, choosing some for salvation and others not. This decision is not based on anything we do or will do, but on God's own sovereign will and purpose. It's a plan set in motion before we even exist.

Not a cosmic lottery. Predestination isn't a random selection process. It's a deliberate act of God's will, rooted in his perfect knowledge and wisdom. It's not about God picking names out of a hat, but about his eternal plan for his creation.

• It's a plan that encompasses all of history.
• It's a plan that is not subject to change.
• It's a plan that is ultimately for God's glory.

Understanding the "pre." The "pre" in predestination refers to time, specifically to God's actions before creation. It highlights that our destiny is not a result of our choices alone, but also of God's prior decision. This doesn't negate our choices, but places them within the context of God's overarching plan.

2. Sovereignty: God's Absolute Authority

If there is any part of creation outside of God's sovereignty then God is simply not sovereign.

God's supreme rule. Divine sovereignty means that God has absolute authority and power over all things. He is the ultimate ruler of the universe, and nothing happens without his permission or decree. This includes both the grand events of history and the smallest details of our lives.

Authority and power. God's sovereignty encompasses both his authority to command and his power to carry out his will. He is not merely a figurehead, but the active and all-powerful ruler of all creation.

• All other authority is derived from him.
• All power is subordinate to his.
• Even evil is subject to his ultimate control.

Not a cosmic dictator. God's sovereignty is not arbitrary or tyrannical. It is exercised in perfect wisdom, righteousness, and love. He is not a capricious ruler, but a benevolent king who always acts in accordance with his perfect character.

3. Free Will: Choice Within God's Design

Our choices are determined by our desires. They remain our choices because they are motivated by our own desires.

Choice and desire. Free will, in the biblical sense, is not the ability to choose neutrally, but the ability to choose according to our desires. We always choose what we want most at any given moment. Our choices are self-determined, not coerced by external forces.

Not a neutral will. The idea of a neutral will, where we choose without any prior inclination, is both irrational and unbiblical. We always act according to our strongest desire at the moment of decision.

• Our choices are not random.
• Our choices are not meaningless.
• Our choices are always motivated.

Freedom within limits. Our freedom is not absolute autonomy. It is freedom within the limits of God's sovereignty. We are free to choose what we want, but our desires are shaped by our nature, which is either fallen or redeemed. God's sovereignty does not negate our freedom, but rather defines its boundaries.

4. The Fall: Humanity's Shared Ruin

Original sin refers to a sin nature out of which particular sinful acts flow.

Adam's representative sin. The Fall refers to the historical event in which Adam, as the representative of all humanity, disobeyed God, plunging the entire human race into sin and death. This is not just a story, but a historical reality with profound consequences.

Original sin. Original sin is not the first sin, but the condition of moral corruption that we inherit from Adam. It's a sin nature that affects every aspect of our being, making us inclined to evil and incapable of pleasing God on our own.

• It's a condition, not just an act.
• It's a universal problem.
• It's the root of our sinful behavior.

Consequences of the Fall. The Fall had devastating consequences for all of creation, not just humanity. It brought about spiritual death, physical death, and a broken relationship with God. It also subjected the entire world to futility and decay.

5. Spiritual Death: The Need for Rebirth

Before a person will ever choose Jesus, he must first be born again.

More than just sickness. Spiritual death is not merely a state of being sick or wounded, but a state of being completely lifeless in relation to God. It means we are incapable of responding to God or choosing him on our own. We are not just ill, we are dead.

Regeneration precedes faith. Regeneration, or being born again, is a work of God in which he imparts new spiritual life to our souls. This is not something we can do for ourselves, but a gift of God's grace.

• It's a supernatural act.
• It's a necessary condition for salvation.
• It's the beginning of new life in Christ.

God's initiative. Regeneration is a monergistic work, meaning it is solely the work of God. We do not cooperate with God in this process, but are passive recipients of his grace. It is God who initiates the process of salvation, not us.

6. Foreknowledge: Not the Basis of Election

The text does not teach that God chose Jacob on the basis of Jacob's choice.

God's prior awareness. God's foreknowledge is his perfect awareness of all things, past, present, and future. He knows everything that will happen, including our choices. However, this knowledge is not the basis for his election.

Not a passive observer. God's foreknowledge is not merely passive observation. It is active and intentional. He knows not only what we will do, but also what he will do in response to our actions.

• He knows who will believe.
• He knows who will reject him.
• He knows all things perfectly.

Election is not based on foreseen faith. God's election is not based on his foreknowledge of who will choose him. Rather, it is based on his own sovereign will and purpose. He chooses us not because of what we will do, but because of who he is.

7. Double Predestination: Mercy and Justice

God is never, never, never obligated to be merciful to sinners.

Two sides of the coin. Double predestination acknowledges that God not only chooses some for salvation (election), but also chooses not to save others (reprobation). This is not a popular concept, but it is a necessary implication of God's sovereignty.

Not equal ultimacy. Double predestination does not mean that God actively works evil in the hearts of the reprobate. Rather, he passes them over, leaving them to the consequences of their own sin.

• God actively saves the elect.
• God passively allows the reprobate to perish.
• God is not the author of sin.

Mercy and justice. God's actions are always just and righteous. He is not obligated to save anyone, but he chooses to show mercy to some. Those who are not chosen receive justice, which is what they deserve. No one receives injustice.

8. Assurance: Knowing You Are Saved

The faith by which we are saved is a gift.

More than just hope. Assurance of salvation is the confident knowledge that we are in a right relationship with God. It's not just a hope or a wish, but a firm conviction based on God's promises and the evidence of his work in our lives.

Grounds for assurance:

• Trust in God's promises.
• Inward evidence of grace.
• Outward evidence of changed behavior.
• The witness of the Holy Spirit.

Not arrogance, but humility. True assurance is not based on our own merit, but on God's grace. It leads to humility, not pride. It is a gift of God, not a boast of our own righteousness.

9. Perseverance: God's Grip on Believers

If you have it, you never lose it; if you lose it, you never had it.

God's preservation. Perseverance of the saints means that those who are truly saved will never lose their salvation. This is not because of our own strength, but because of God's power to keep us. It's not about our grip on God, but his grip on us.

Not a license to sin. Perseverance is not a license to sin, but a call to holiness. It is a promise that God will complete the work he has begun in us, not a guarantee that we will never struggle with sin.

• We are kept by God's power.
• We are called to be diligent in our faith.
• We are not immune to temptation.

Eternal security. The doctrine of perseverance provides us with the assurance that our salvation is secure in Christ. It is not based on our performance, but on God's faithfulness. It is a promise that we will never be separated from his love.

Last updated: January 18, 2025