There is no question about whether or not Paul believed in predestination. Just read the first few verses of Ephesians 1. There you will read the “Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,.” Please notice the tense. It is past.
If that was all we had of Scripture we would conclude our salvation is a done deal. But there is more. There is also free will. God, in His magnificent love for us, will not force His will upon us. It is His will to save us. It is our choice to accept. It is His pleasure to see us consent. And should we consent the blessings begin flowing our way. Please note “all spiritual blessings in heavenly places” are ours. Once we consent changes begin to occur. Our likes and dislikes are altered. Our passions are diverted toward righteousness, right thinking and right doing. Opportunities are opened for growth. We grow in understanding the mystery of His wisdom.
Many of the so called “smart” people of this world just do not understand what God’s children understand. When they rely upon their own intellect, no matter how vast, it is not enough to grasp what a small child with Jesus can understand. This incredible world, though soiled with sin, is and can never be the product of random chance. We are the fruit of His love. We are the product of His design. Our task is not merely to reproduce and die. It is instead to reproduce and live forever with the fruit of our love.
Written by Roger Bothwell on August 2, 2010
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org