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!