The first time I heard the phrase ‘doctrines of grace’ I was training for ministry in a local church and I did not understand the meaning of that phrase. I had heard the term ‘predestination’ before but it was in a mocking sense – those people who say that the graph of your life has already been drawn. Although I had been saved for a long time, I had not realised that that scripture reveals to us how God has chosen to call a people to himself through our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. Part of it was because I was not hearing it being preached in a local church and so, like most people at the time, my theology (knowledge of God and His word) was being shaped by ideas I picked from books, individuals and conferences I attended where I could not hold those teachers to account. Instead of predestination being a subject of endless theological debates, we can be helped by simply looking at what the Bible reveals about God’s sovereign choice in calling people to Himself.
Drawing from Paul’s letter to Ephesians Chapter 1, the term predestination then refers to God’s sovereign choice before creation of the world, to save people from eternal condemnation by adopting them into His family. This is the spiritual blessing in Christ that Paul shows us in Chapter 1. Paul shows us that God has;
- Chosen those that he would save before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him. Verse 4. In eternity past, God chose those whom he would save in Christ.
- Predestined in love those that he would save for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ. Verse 5. The term predestined here means that he specifically called people to be his own, entirely out his love so that those he chose, would be adopted into His family.
- Chosen according to the purpose of His will to the praise of His glorious grace. Verse 6. This sovereign choice is entirely by God’s will (not foreknown decision) and it is meant to serve His glory.
Consequently, those who are in Christ have;
- Been redeemed. They have been rescued from God’s judgement and condemnation and have been forgiven of their sins entirely by God’s grace. Verse 7.
- Have had their eyes opened to see the mystery of His will for then in Christ. Verse 8 -9.
- Been united with Christ Verse 10. They have been made one in the family of God.
- Received an inheritance Verse 11. They have the greatest treasure imaginable to man.
- Are to live to the praise of His glory. Verse 12. The whole point of their predestination is so that they can live to the to the praise and honour of God who has redeemed them.
Practical Purpose of the Doctrine of Predestination
- It affirms God as the only writer of the salvation story and hence deserving of all praise and glory for our salvation. Verse 1
- It leads to humility. Since salvation is entirely the work of God, believers have nothing to boast about. Predestination checks against human pride. Eph 2:8-9, James 4:13 -15.
- It speaks to assurance of salvation -verse 4. Since our father has chosen those He will save, it follows that He will hold them fast and bring them to their eternal home. He who began the work in them before the creation of the world, will bring it to completion.
- Predestination fuels prayer. Since salavtion entirely depends on God, believers can call upon Him who had ordained prayer and depend on Him who is the ruler of all things. We can pray for those who are lost in sin for salvation belongs to our God (Jonah 2:9)
- Motivation for Evangelism (John 10:16). The Lord has many other people who are His but they are lost in the world. We can be motivated to reach out to them since, His sheep hear His voice and they will respond to the voice of the shepherd. The Lord has ordained evangelism as the means to that the end.
- Spiritual maturity/perseverance in the knowledge that whatever God ordains is right. (Ps 39). When we know that God has ordered, not just our salvation but all events in life, we can be more confident in facing life situations – good and bad. We can rest in His sovereignty in the confidence that whatever He ordains for us is right.
- Trust and obedience as instruments of praise (verse 12). Since God has a clear purpose in election, believers can be encouraged to live lives worthy of the gospel as instruments of God’s glory.
May the Lord help us to take God at His word and trust His goodness at all times.
I Was Just Wondering 