Predestination is the belief that all events have been willed or determined beforehand by God—that He has already decided who will be saved and who will be condemned. With this belief, individuals have no control over their fate. This fatalistic view asserts that all events are inevitable and predetermined by a sovereign God.
I believe that this doctrine creates a tension between an all-knowing God who controls the world and man’s free will to make choices. You have the freedom to make your own choice. I have considered the following Scriptural references in making my choice.
If God has already predetermined the fate of man’s soul, leaving no room for man to choose, why does He commission the church to spread the gospel and make disciples of all nations? Since each man’s eternal destiny is already sealed, isn’t it a futile endeavor? If our fate is predetermined, why would Paul assert, “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher” (Romans 10:14)?
If man’s fate is predetermined, he lacks the freedom to obey or disobey God. Therefore, why does God command us to make choices? “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19).
Why does God strongly urge us to “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7)? If there is no such thing as personal choice, and if the devil only does God’s will, then resisting the devil would be resisting God.
If sickness and suffering are God’s preordained will, why did Jesus instruct the church to go throughout the world and lay hands on the sick to heal them (Mark 16:18)?
If sickness is preordained, why does James inquire about those who are sick and then offer instruction on how to receive healing (James 5:14-16)?
What’s the purpose of prayer if everything is predetermined and there’s nothing we can do to alter the course of events? If God has predetermined everything, why does James emphasize the significance of fervent prayer, stating that it can have a profound impact on our lives? What benefit does fervent prayer even offer us?
Why did Jesus rebuke those with little faith (Matthew 8:26) and commend those with great faith (Matthew 8:10)? If what happens in our lives is predetermined by God, there is no need for faith.
Is there any point in asking and seeking God if our prayers have no effect? If my life’s circumstances are already set in stone, why bother trying to improve my situation through prayer?
Why do those who believe that a hardened heart is predetermined by God neglect the teaching of Scripture that says, “But exhort one another daily, while it is called today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:13)? This was written to believers and shows that hardness of heart is not ordained by God but rather the result of the deceitfulness of sin.
If God has predetermined everything according to His will, why is it impossible to please God without faith (Hebrews 11:6)? If God has chosen who will and won’t have faith, wouldn’t He be pleased if we don’t have it?
Why would a predestined believer need to “labor to enter into that rest” if he has no choice nor will in the matter? If God had chosen him to believe for all eternity, why would He be warned in Hebrews 4:11 not to fall into unbelief? “Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.”
If God predestines everything, what difference does it make if we ask according to His will? “And this is the confidence that we have in Him that if we ask any thing according to His will, He hears us” (1 John5:14).
Why must the just live by faith (Hebrews 10:38) if their salvation is preordained? What does it matter how they live if there is no chance to change their destiny?
Why does Jesus exhort the man He healed to “sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee” (John 5:14)? If you believe in predestination, hasn’t God already predetermined all the good or bad that will ever happen to that man in spite of his lifestyle?
If nothing can come against the will of God, then why could Jesus not perform any miraculous works in His own town because of unbelief (Mark 6:1-5)?
If salvation is preordained and assured, then why was Paul concerned for his own salvation? “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” (1 Corinthians 9:27).
Why are life and death in the power of the tongue and not the result of the “sovereign will of God?” (Proverbs 18:21) “That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved.” (Romans 10:9).
Why must we run with patience the race that is set before us if the outcome of that race is already predetermined by God? Why does it matter how we run the race (Hebrews 12:1)? If God is control of everything, He is in control of my choices. Why even try?
What is your view of God? Of His sovereignty? You may not consider yourself as one who believes in predestination, but I ask you to look at how you view the sovereignty of God. God hasn’t predetermined your fate. He hasn’t predetermined what is going to happen and your outcome. He doesn’t control the decisions you make. It matters what you choose. It matters if you pray. It matters how you run your race. It matters if you live by faith and if your faith pleases God.
Unbelief hinders God's ability to work in your life. Don’t believe in a fatalistic God. It makes you passive. God has never been passive about you. He proved Himself to you in sending His Son to save you. For His grace to work in your life, your response is needed. And faith is the required response (Ephesians 2:8). There would be no reason to respond to a God who is in control of every aspect of your life. A person who is obedient to the faith is a person who knows God has given them the gift of choice.
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