Predestination

There is much confusion regarding this very wonderful doctrine. I do not wish to dwell on the different doctrines of predestination men have developed over the centuries but on what the Bible says regarding this beautiful subject.

and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:4-5

The natural man’s faith is resting on the wisdom of men. Men’s wisdom does not save but God’s power does. Paul was speaking things in a manner that the natural man could understand the Gospel and place his trust in the power of God unto salvation – Jesus Christ who died and was buried and rose again.

However, to believers who have had the veil removed a wisdom from God which was predestined for all believers to have:

Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; 1 Corinthians 2:6-7

God prepared these things beforehand for believers:

but just as it is written,
“Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard,
And which have not entered the heart of man,
All that God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9

God predestined many things more for those in Christ:

He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the [f]kind intention of His will, Ephesians 1:5

 

2 Corinthians 1:10

Good ol’ snowy morning on Campobello Island. Cheer up, we have good news!

The moment a person places their trust that Jesus Christ died for their sins and rose again (obviously this implies the person understand they are lost and deserve death because they are sinners), they are saved by Christ. They are placed in Christ and are blessed with every spiritual blessing in Him. Some of these blessings are: eternal life, reconciliation, indwelling of the Holy Spirit, spiritual gifting, forgiveness and justification to name only a few.
When we get saved we say, “I’m saved”. I’ve been saved! The reality of our salvation is that MOST OF OUR SALVATION IS STILL FUTURE. The salvation the believer has received [past] is only really the future guarantee of salvation. So, in faith I can say I am saved even though most of my salvation has not yet occurred. As far as we are concerned, our salvation is complete and paid for but most of it is yet to come! In Christ it is complete but in time and space most of those things that have been PREDESTINED to me has not been fully realized (conformed to the image of Christ, glorified body, in heaven)! 

Salvation is a git of God fully sustained in Jesus Christ but it’s given to us in three stages.

[past] Who delivered us from so great a death, and [present] doth deliver: in whom we trust that He will [future] yet deliver us. 2 Cor 1:10 KJV

The doctrine of predestination has been hijacked and taught incredibly wrong. In the book Historical Theology by Alister McGrath (standard textbook for seminary students) on pg 37 it says, “The term “predestination” refers to God’s original or eternal decision to save some and not others. ”
This is the mentality that many have of predestination today yet very rarely do they look/study at the two places predestination is mentioned in the Bible! Romans 8 and Ephesians 1. Predestination is a biblical doctrine that needs to be believed and understood not according to traditions of men or philosophy but through the Word of God. Predestination is all about the future of every person found in Christ (believers). This means glorification (future salvation) is guaranteed. The doctrine of biblical predestination deals with this and needs to be taught correctly. It is a doctrine that gives us hope and not a fatalistic idea of God choosing some and rejective others.

It is wonderful to know that God promises salvation. How can He do this unless it’s all based on grace? If it was based on works or my good performance, the promise is false.
Believer, you have been predestined to be conformed to the image of Christ! Your salvation (past, present, future) is guaranteed and the best is yet to come!