6 replies to this topic

[Thinker]

One of the mistakes that we, who are His, often make is to discuss (to any great length) family matters with unsaved people. In fact, unsaved people often bring up thelogical/doctrinal issues as a diversionary tactic to keep us from discussing what matters most and that is their need of salvation. One such issue is predestination. When they come to Jesus, as their Savior and Lord, predestination will no longer be an abstract concept but a wonderful reality. Predestination is not about our eternal destiny in Heaven or Hell being predetermined, leaving us with no choice. Instead, it involves two wonderful realities. The first is that adoption is guaranteed to all who come to Him. Paul, writing to the Ephesian church, tells them (and us) that God has, ".... predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will." (From Ephesians 1:5). Paul also spoke of the second reality, in his letter to the church at Rome. He wrote, "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son...." (From Romans 8:29). The newborn Christian is adopted into God's family. Incidentally, if one is now a part of that family, there should be a family resemblance. After being assured of adoption, the child of God discovers that a marvelous destiny is guaranteed to him or her. They are predetermined to be conformed to the image of His Son. This is grace heaped upon grace! It doesn't get any better than that. Selah! To all who come to know Jesus, as Savior and Lord, predestination is a magnificent blessing among many other amazing blessings. Thank God for His goodness and grace! Ron Pinkham

[Kevin Blankenship]

I'm new here on the forum, but not new to the Faith. Well, relatively speaking, I suppose that I am new to the Faith as well since many people in my age group have been converted far longer than me, but I digress.
The topic of predestination has been one that has long troubled me all throughout my walk with the Lord. In those dry times, I would have troubling thoughts, such as: "maybe I am NOT one of the Elect, if indeed the Doctrine of particular atonement is a Scriptural truth. (A.W. Tozer, one of the fathers of the faith, as far as I'm concerned, belived that Christ died for ALL mankind). I am not wanting to get started on the wrong foot with people who have been members here far longer than me, but I read your post here, and decided to respond. Not at all to argue, but to share my thoughts. It is during those dry times, when God seems so far away and unreachable, that the Doctrine of Predestination comes out of hiding to torment me and attempt to undermine my faith with the horrible thought that 'perhaps I just THINK that I'm redeemed and belong to Christ'. Maybe my name is not written in the Lambs Book of Life at all, and I am just trying to force my way in. Maybe God is trying to tell me that " the door is now locked, no entry allowed" and that I will have my place in the lake of fire. I then start to question my sanity. And it is in those times that I find the GREATEST comfort in scriptures such as: "God is NOT willing that any should perish....." or that "God so loved the world...." or that "any that come to Me I will in no wise cast out..."
But I have NEVER received consolation from the scriptures, ususally Paul's, but sometimes Peter's that say stuff like "and the promise is to you and your children, to all the Lord our God will call..." and others like "those he predestined to be conformed...." etc etc. I always get a serious lump in my throat when I read those passages. It compells me to lay my Bible down and pray and "make every effort to enter through.....". I just have to stop and have a heart to heart wih God. I just have to ask Him, "Lord God, am I one of yours?" I WANT to be one of Yours. But these scriptures in your Word which apparantly teach that we are predestined to either be redeemed or not are so mighty troubling to me". I just cannot get that "wonderful reality" type of thinking going on there. I would surely want to. I am not for or against anything that the Bible teaches. And yet I'm not naive enough to realize that this doctrine has divided Brothers in Christ all through the ages. Good Christian Brothers are on both sides of this fence. And if the Doctrine of Predestination, or 5 point Calvinism, or whatever it's called by it;s followers would bring me that joyful KNOWING, I would pick it up and keep it as my own as well. So please.....PLEASE.... do not see this reply as an argument. I'm just a weak and troubled believer in the Bible as God's Word to us and I only wanted to share what is in my heart and mind on this subject. For.....to suppose for just a millisecond that I, indeed, do NOT belong to Christ, would be a grief to difficult to bear.

[HmoobKuv]

Maybe my name is not written in the Lambs Book of Life at all, and I am just trying to force my way in.

This is a common question and fear among Christians. Even Abraham Lincoln feared the Calvinistic God of the Bible; you are not alone on this. This fear is due to bad teaching. I still don't know why some preachers teach that people are not saved because God didn't predestine those people. What they are doing is blaming God for people not believing in God. Does that sound right? No it doesn't, because it isn't in the Bible.

Very sorry that you had to carry this fear with you. I am a Calvinist and I will never say, the reason I don't believe in God is because God didn't predestine me. I don't want to hear anyone say that either. Pray that we not teach the wrong predestination doctrine.

Those that I know who learned about predestination, love predestination because it amplifies the grace of God to infinity. Just like the opening poster said

... predestination will no longer be an abstract concept but a wonderful reality.... This is grace heaped upon grace! It doesn't get any better than that.Selah!

AMEN!

[Julie Daube]

Very well said, Thinker! Your post really puts this seelingly complex issue into perspective.

[Charles Miles]

Kevin, I think satan understands that there is confusion in this area of doctrine and uses it to great advantage. He has been defeated, knows it, and is in a rage. I`m so sorry that this has caused security problems for you, and the torment cause by that is not of God. When I mess up(and I try not to do so), I go back to the Word and get on my knees about the situation, confess, and repent. Then usually some passage such as Romans 8 comes to mind. Brother, I tell you that that one chapter will pour peace and assurance out on you if you are a born again child of God. All God has ever asked of His people is that they believe Him. You seem not to be absolutely, 100% sure of your relationship with the Father? I urge you to speak with your pastor or some active, born again, professing christian and clear that up before the sun sets today. Once that is settled and you know you are a child of the living God, a member of His family, and have become the "very righteousnessof God", you can put all the confusions of doctrine out of your mind. God will ALWAYS do what He says He will do. He has NEVER gone back on His promise and He won`t start with you. One of the greatest gifts of the Spirit is PEACE, and brother in Tenn, He wants you to have it.
Peace be with you..the PEACE Christ left for us,
Charlie

[StevePage]

Wow Kevin my heart goes out to you. Just know that God wants every person to be saved. It's so easy. just trust Him, obey Him, believe in the death and resurecction of Jesus and that's all.

That old devil will whisper doubt in you ear and make you think you are not saved, just do what Jesus did, quote scripture back to him. Tell that devil, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

[Charles Miles]

An old country preacher told me once, "When satan reminds you of your past, just remind him of his future". Steve and Hmoo have good advice. "Seek and you will find" is true, but the term means to seek earnestly and hard, and it seems as though you are a true seeker. All is well brother.