Predestination

Predestination – This is a subject that can be very confusing when one deals with a person that believes that God has died for some and not for others. They have a convoluted explanation that easily confuses me. Being simple minded, I use a simple explanation.

Let me begin with an undeniable truth. Christ died for all men. I Timothy 2:3-6 says “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved and come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

We find the desire of the Father and the Son that all men would be saved and toward the accomplishment of that purpose, the Son gave himself a ransom for all, not just some. We also must consider the verse found in Hebrews; Hebrews 2:9 which says “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

Seeing that Christ gave himself a ransom for all and tasted death for every man then this predestination that is referenced is not a person that has been predestinated but must be the plan.

May we consider the passages written to the Church in Ephessus, Ephesians 1:4,5 which says “According as He hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself according the good pleasure of his will,…” Before the foundation of the world a plan was established to save man that would sin. It was predestinated that those that would be saved would be saved through Christ precious blood.

Paul reasoned with King Agrippa and told of his conversion and then Paul said to Agrippa, Acts 26:27,28 “King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. Verse 29 And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am except these bonds. Paul is expecting people to be saved by choice upon hearing the Words of God.

Ephesians 3:11 “According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:” Christ was predestined to come to earth and present Himself as the perfect sacrifice for man. That was His purpose in wrapping Himself in flesh and hanging on the cross and shedding His blood. Now Ephesians 2:10 says “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” God predestined that those that would be saved would not be by good works but through Jesus Christ and would be unto good works. II Thessalonians 2:13 further clarifies “…God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.” The predestinated plan of salvation is through the Spirit and belief in the resurrected Christ.

In Christ is the term we need to see.

THE BIBLE

The Bible contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers.
Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable.
Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy,
It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.
It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s charter.
Here Paradise is restored, Heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed.

So What Is Important About Dogma?

Many people decry the idea of doctrine and dogma. They want the soft pleasing cotton candy religion that never takes a stand or even makes a statement. The shallowness of these people are astounding. The comprehension and understanding of God’s Word and God’s commands comes from study and understanding the very Word given by God for us to know. Doctrine and dogma are necessary to express who God is.

Without Doctrine how would one know how to get to heaven? The Bible is plain and simple on this doctrine, yet many have been given the wrong way. Those involved in teaching people the wrong way to get to heaven have blood on their hands. They have sent people into the flames of hell and stand before God guilty.

Let us have the plain simple doctrine of salvation, how to get to heaven. Ephesians 2:8-10 is so simple and clear that none should misunderstand what it says.  “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 

What is difficult with this scripture? “For by grace” . God’s grace has been extended to man because man is a sinner. That Grace that God extends to us is His own precious Son who has paid the price that we rightfully owe. “are ye saved through faith;”. We appropriate this grace by our faith in the risen Son of God, Jesus Christ. Now this is pretty simple so far and it is doctrine. “and that not of yourselves;”  This says that all we can do is trust in Jesus. We cannot be baptised – that not of yourselves; We cannot join a church – that not of yourselves; We cannot partake of the Lord’s Supper and be saved – that not of yourselves; There is not one thing we can do to get to heaven but simply trusting in the risen Saviour. Now how simple is that; yet there are many that being shallow and not understanding are missing the door to heaven. Notice the Key to understanding is “it is the gift of God;” We do not work (be baptised, join a church, eat the Lord’s supper, do good works) to receive a gift. Gifts are freely given and freely received.  God’s plan is always the best. When everything rest upon Him it then is none of us “lest any man should boast.”  When we trust the risen Savior we are “created in Christ Jesus” . Now comes the works. Once we are saved, we are then to go and witness to others.  Salvation and then good works. Very simple but many do not understand.

This is the doctrine of salvation and any other way is wrong and leads to the punishment of hell.

What is your final destination?