Predestined!

                           

Do you believe some things are orchestrated, chosen by God?  I do.  Whether it’s meeting your spouse, or landing a job, or discovering a particular church, some things are predestined, ‘meant to be.’   Sure our choices impact outcomes, but ultimately God’s choice, God’s desire, keeps pursuing us, doing everything it can to ultimately triumph. 

Historically, God’s choice, God desire, is referred to as election.  It’s a straightforward belief that God has a preference, electing certain outcomes.   Jeremiah 29:11 is probably the clearest scripture on election:  “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  (Jeremiah 29:11).   And how does God seal such a preference, such an election?  Why it’s sealed as we bond with God’s Son, personally receiving Jesus, as Lord and Savior.  “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” – Paul writes in Ephesians 1 – who has blessed us…with every spiritual blessing in Christ.  For he chose us in [Christ] before the creation of the world…In love he predestined us to be…his sons through Jesus…” (Ephesians 1:3-5).

Seems clear enough.  But in reality the concept of election is froth with controversy.  Why most agree on ‘what’ God prefers, ‘what’ God elects: blessing, salvation in Jesus.  But some disagree on ‘who’ God elects.  Why some believe God doesn’t elect or choose all as candidates for salvation -- but predestines a select number as candidates for salvation. And so election is a knotty subject, referred to historically as the tension between Arminianism and Calvinism -- with Arminanians believing God elects all as candidates for salvation, and Calvinists believing God only elects some as candidates for salvation.  

Now a single blog post can hardly unpack this long standing tension, but there are guiding principles, which  inform the tension.  In a recent sermon I introduced three:  1) Let God's Sovereignty Have The Last Word; 2) Exercise Response-Ability, Contributing To Life's Outcomes; 3) Err On the Side Of Grace, Spreading the Word of Truth. 

Erring on the side of grace, spreading the Word of Truth,  is especially pivotal.  For ‘God only knows,’ who ‘was, is, or will,’ identify with God’s election, His plan to prosper and not harm, His plan to save and not condemn.  Thus, our task is not to dwell on who ‘was, is, or will,’ identify with God election – but to err on the side of grace, spreading the incredible truth, that “in [Christ] we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us…”  (Ephesians 1:7-8).  For God did so greatly love and dearly prize “… the world” John 3:16+17 reminds us, “that He…gave up His only…Son… [not] (…to condemn) the world -- but that the world might find salvation -- and be made safe and sound, through Him.”  (John 3:16-17, The Amplified Bible).

And so elect to share the gospel!   Err on the side of grace, spreading the Word of Truth!  For “in [Christ] we were…chosen -- having been predestined…In order that we…might be the praise of his glory…” (Ephesians 1:11-13). Be the praise of His glory; whether Arminanian or Calvinist, or something in between, be the praise of His Glory!  For God did so greatly love and dearly prize “…the world that He…gave up His only…Son… [not] (…to condemn) the world -- but that the world might find salvation -- and be made safe and sound, through Him.”  (John 3:16-17, The Amplified Bible). 

You see, we weren’t predestined to squabble over predestination.  We were predestined to lift up Jesus, and His saving power – yielding to His Sovereign Wisdom – letting Jesus always have -- and be – the last word!

Face-Time, In A Facebook World

One of the oddities of the English language is all the words that mean "group." For example, we refer to a crowd of people -- a box of crayons -- and a pad of paper.  But the most striking ‘group names’ are related to animals.  Why we refer to: an army of ants -- a kindle of kittens -- a charm of hummingbirds – a murder of crows --a knot of toads -- a movement of moles, and my favorite -- a congress of baboons!

As we enter scripture, we see a similar trend in relation to the church.  Why multiple names are used to describe us, the people of God.  Why we’re called ‘the assembly of the upright,’ in Psalm 111:1 – ‘the branch of God’s planting,’ in Isaiah 60:21 – ‘the flock of God,’ in Ezekiel 34:15 – ‘the fold of Christ,’ in John 10:16 – ‘the congregation of the Lord’s poor,’ in Psalm 74:19 – ‘the pillar and ground of truth,’ in 1 Timothy 3:15 – ‘the lot of God’s inheritance,’ in Deuteronomy 32:9.  

But my favorite is in Ephesians 3:15 where we're referred to as ‘the family in heaven and earth.’  For fundamentally, we are family, as Christ's church.   Sure we’re an organization, a gathering, a congregation.  But at our core, we’re kin-folk, related through the blood of Jesus. Yes, once we were not family, we were estranged, “…but now in Christ Jesus” Paul clarifies in Ephesians 2, “you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ…”  (Ephesians 2:13).   

Such nearness, such community is vital, because we live in an alienated, lonely world.  In fact, Steven Marche argues in the current issue of The Atlantic Monthly, “…we have never been…lonelier.”  Why “social media—from Facebook to Twitter – have made us more densely networked…Yet for all this connectivity…we have never been [more detached].”  Why “…in 1985…10 percent of Americans said they had no one…to discuss important matters [with]…[But] by 2004, 25 percent [said they] had nobody to talk to…” steven Marche, Is Facebook Making You Lonely, The Atlantic Monthly, May, 2012 http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2012/05/is-facebook-making-us-lonely/8930/   

About a year ago, Kevin Syes our youth and young adult pastor preached a powerful sermon on social media.  As he ended the sermon, he reminded us of the value of social media tools, such as Facebook, but  reminded us there was an endeavor even more vital.  The endeavor? Face-time.  For in a fractured, alienated society, our greatest need is greater intimacy; a larger sense of community, of family in Jesus.

Such communal reality sends a powerful message:  you are wanted -- you are needed -- you are loved.  For in Jesus “… [we] are no longer foreigners and aliens but…members of God’s household…” (Ephesians 2:19-20).  In a Facebook world – face-time is possible!  For in Jesus  "...you who once were far away, have [now] been brought near..."  (Ephesians 2:13).  In Jesus, you who were once alienated, are now 'face to face,' for in Jesus we are no longer 'in categories,' we are 'in community': bound, united by His Holy, remarkable, unbelievable, love!

And so seek out some face-time this week, beginning with the family of God, and then, reaching out beyond, and including other lonely folk as well!