Gtcotr/ss100211
Today’s subject has divided scholars and denominations for centuries. Whole schools of doctrine have been built on the error of predestination. Today I hope to shine some understandable light on the scriptures in hopes to help us discover some truths about Predestination.
2 Timothy 1
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,
2 Timothy 1
6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God,
9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,
10 but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
11 to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.
2 Timothy 1
9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,
The Apostle Paul believes that God knows the end from the beginning. But does God know beforehand who will be saved? Has He predestined some?
Romans 8
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
Predestination – in the wider sense here, this verse establishes the fact that God had foreordained Gentiles to be included in salvation as well as Jews. It was always God’s plan since before time began. So in this sense God predestined the Gentiles to receive the calling, justification and glorification of eternal life through Jesus Christ, His Son.
Predestination – in the more narrow sense – does God have foreknowledge and cause things to work a certain way? Yes!
Romans 8:29 & 30 are but an explanation of Romans 8:28. The foreknowledge of God demands that He cause everything to work together for the good of those who love Him & are called according to His purpose.
For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son.
God knows who will and who will not accept His offer of salvation – who will and who will not be justified – who will and who will not be sanctified – who will and who will not be glorified.
God knew before you were born if you would be saved. However, He did not make that choice for you – that’s not the predestination the Apostle Paul is talking about.
The Predestination referred to in the scriptures plainly says that those who accept Jesus as Lord and Savior are predestined to be conformed to the image of God’s Son. God knows beforehand who will be saved.
You are not predestined to be saved, but predestined because you are saved. God is fully committed and completely qualified to cause all things to work together for the good of everyone who gives themselves to Him and receives the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus.
This same God who saved us, called us with a holy calling in Christ Jesus before time began.
Every person who is saved is predestined with a calling, sanctified by the Word, justified by the blood and glorified with Christ.
This is why the Apostle Paul could so confidently encourage Timothy to not be ashamed or afraid. He told Timothy to stir up the gift of God which was in him – in other words – don’t disengage due to hard times or fear of persecution. We all have a part to play and God has not given us a spirit of fear. Stir yourself up to be a demonstration of love and power …
God knew the course this world would take before time began. He saw the fall of man and crucified His Son before the foundation of the world. The Apostle Paul writes that God knew who would accept His Son’s sacrifice beforehand and decided to call, justify and glorify them not on their own merit but according to His Divine purpose and grace. This is Predestination!
So what can we conclude about the subject of Predestination?
· Although God does not make your choices, He nonetheless knows if you will choose Him.
· God wants you to know that if you choose Him, He is fully committed and completely capable of working all things together for your good.
· God has predestined every saved person to be:
o Sanctified
o Justified
o Glorified - This Wednesday Evening (Our amazing destiny)
You can choose God today. Nothing, including God, will stop you – it’s completely your decision. Destiny is waiting …
