Got Fruit ?

Thursday evening I started looking into a subject that I had crossed via a forum or blog sometime last year, and that I had filed in my cerebral Rolodex for later. What prompted me to dig into the subject (predestined), was a visit, and the ensuing rummaging through the archives over at Hope’s site. Maybe it was just a case of boredom, maybe it was destiny (tongue in cheek) that I found myself there.

From the drive-by visit to the now forgotten site, I recall only a claim presented from the perspective that God is unfair in that He predestines events & people, thus negating the truest sense of free-will. This was my real first experience even coming across the subject, and in haste I recall going to the referenced Scripture(Romans 8:29). My reaction was of surprise, based on how I had interpreted the meaning of the verse; the result no doubt of not reading more than just that one verse.

Romans 8:28-30 (NIV)

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

Some other verses on destiny:

Ephesians 1:4-5 (NIV)

4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will

Ephesians 1:11-14

11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession to the praise of his glory.

1st Corinthians 2:7 (NIV)

7 No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.

Any of above verses on their own could be taken to imply that God has set aside through predestination, selected persons to be saved. As I see it though, if predestination were in effect, (as in being pre-programmed to accept or reject Christ); this would seem problematic to the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 or with what’s said in John 1:12 or 2nd Peter 3:8-9.

Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

John 1:12(NIV)
12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.

2nd Peter 3:8-9 (NIV)
8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

If it is God’s desire (I believe so) for us all to come to repentance, then that alone undermines the notion of being hard-wired to either accept or reject Christ. Hard wired to sin - yes, but still having free will to accept God’s offer of His Son (see 1st John 5:10-12). Predestined therefore seems to be in reference to the plan laid out by God which was both figuratively and literally executed on the cross. Predestined referring to,God’s plan to offer to all of humanity, His Son as a means of redemption. John 1:12 still points to free-will on the part of humanity having to be exercised.

• 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son… (Romans 8:29)
• In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ… (Ephesians 4-5)
• a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. (1st Corinthians 2:7)

I can’t help but wonder if when Paul says in 1st Corinthians 2:7 “…God destined for our glory before time began”, that he was making a reference to what Jesus said in John 15:13:

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

Grace and peace be with you.