The Mystery of Predestination

Romans 8:29: “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren”

 We are presented with a problem here: Do we have choice or freewill or is everything cut and dried?

Today I would like to bring reassurance that FATE does not work against us but we have some ‘say’ over our fate.

Let’s first consider 5 things that God has planned for us all as believers:

1.      He has called us, justified us and glorified us: Romans 8:30: “and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.”

2.      He has destined us to attain mature Sonship: Ephesians 1:5: “He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will.”

3.      He has planned an inheritance for us: Ephesians 1:11: “So we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will.”

4.      He has planned good works for us to do: Ephesians 2:10: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”

5.      He plans to complete His work in our lives: Philippians 1:6: “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”

 

These 5 promises are not our purpose but God’s purpose for our lives. They are pre-arranged for us by His grace. We can agree with Paul who testifies: 2 Corinthians 12:9: “And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.”

 

It can be simply stated the God in and through His grace has provided completely for us. The real issue is will we accept it and walk in this provision for every aspect of life?

We must not overwork the word ‘predestination’ which can imply fatalism to many. The blessings are predestined but we can choose not to walk in them.

An amazing picture of abiding ‘grace provision’ is portrayed for us in the covenant that David Made with Jonathon:   1Samuel 20;¹⁵ You shall not cut off your loving-kindness from my house forever, not even when the Lord cuts off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth.” ¹⁶ So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “May the Lord require it at the hands of David’s enemies.” ¹⁷ Jonathan made David vow again because of his love for him, because he loved him as he loved his own life.’..... ⁴²  

David soon found an opportunity to honour his commitment with Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth. He became an illustration of many Christians who walk lamely in a covenant of grace yet was not aware of his privileges. He was crippled in his feet from 5 years old because of someone else’s fear and panic. David sought him out to honour his covenant. 2 Sam 9: ^13 “So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate at the king’s table regularly. Now he was lame in both feet.”

Just like Mephibosheth, we have total provision covenanted for us in advance of our needs. This is Grace. When Mephibosheth was found he was hiding out in Lodebar 2 Samuel 9:4. This was effectively a refugee camp in a deserted wilderness. Like all believers he enjoys the privileges for some time without appreciating the real costs or benefits. He did not reach out and take hold of the advantages provided so freely. Later on when David is deposed as King, Mephibosheth reverted to ‘living rough’ as in his refugee days. He is swindled by his greedy servant Ziba to the tune of half of his inheritance. (2 Sam 16& 19)

Like many believers today who have lost confidence in the abiding presence of their King, they have finished up living a HALF baked Christian life.

As we continue through life we must explore the parameters of the Lords grace to fully appreciate the depth. No I do not mean by sinning and being forgiven, that’s baby stuff I mean by attempting to utilise everything predestined for us. By discovering as many of the good works He has prepared for us. We don’t want to miss any of them.

Since these good works are already ordained for us and since we are led by the Holy Spirit when we pray, we can release these good works into being through prayer. In a prayerless life we can fail to receive all that has been predestined for us.

That amazing events for your life have been predestined is only a truth and reality if you are in a consistent relationship with the King who provides the grace. Two things can rob us of the full possibilities; first, we still maintain a refugee mentality. Second we fail to reach out through prayer and faith to discover all that He has provided for us.