Classically we are warned that an overemphasis on free will leads to diminishing grace and reducing Christianity into just another religion with salvation by works. In addition overemphasising man’s choice brings in doubt. It raises the question: “Am I really saved?” This overemphasis can lead to the erosion of surety of salvation.
The response to this is to talk about the sovereignty of God and His divine choice. Romans 9 is the classical exposition of the doctrine, but other scriptures can be quoited:
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will- to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves.
-Ephesians 1:3-6
This is write and good. However I argue that the overemphasis on predestination is as destructive as an overemphasis on Man’s free will. The first danger, which is commonly recognised, is that our responsibility to disciple others is dulled. “They will be save whether I work or not.” This is a concern, but can be overcome by citing the missionary heart of God. This can be found not only in the person of Jesus but also in numerous places in scripture where we are called to proclaim the good news. The most prominent of these is the commission at the end of Matthew
All authority in heaven and on earth has be given to Me [,Jesus]. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you [,the disciples]. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
-Matthew 18:18-20
The second danger in overemphasising predestination, which has not been pointed out as clearly, is that this overemphasis equally capable of eroding our surety of salvation. We teach that our good works come out of the working of the Holy Spirit who motivates us to do good. Our work is not a path to salvation, but a result of it. The problem here is in the fact that we remain sinful and so we do not want to do good, moreover we insist and persist in evil. This can cause a person to feel guilt saying “If I am saved why do I keep on doing this?” The thought is then speedily provided by the Evil One “Are you really saved, are you sure God chose you, you who are so sinful?” And so surety is lost. Be wary.
The teaching on predestination is included in the Holy Scripture to be encouraging and give us surety. It says that we are saved, we are saved by an act of God which does not depend on us. It goes on to encourage us in our teaching saying that salvation is independent of our efforts. If we are week God is still strong! And so our identity is in Christ not in our work. Moreover it gives hope for the salvation of our friends who we love, but who we are powerless to save ourselves. It also helps us persevere through trials and sins, giving us the surety that God will not let us go.
Predestination is a hard teaching and can easily be turned into a tool of confusion, division, doubt and oppression. However it is also filled with richness and encouragement. I do not know its depth and can only catch a glimpse of its glory, but the LORD is patient and will teach me.
Here is some of the solution. We, as humans, are fundamentally creatures. We are created by God and for God. As such we cannot argue with Him if He does as He pleases with us. The fact that we struggle to accept this keenly shows our pride. The response, then, is to humbly submit to God.
A note to those who teach this. We do not submit because He is good, we submit because we are creatures. God’s goodness is incidental. Humble submission would be the correct response even if we are playthings of some sadistic creator who delights in inflicting pain. Therefore be careful how you teach it. Be gentle and careful what you base Joy and delight on. Also be aware that both Joy and delight hang purely on the thread of faith. So take a care when teaching this that you do not break that thread.
As creatures our right place is to submit to God. This is the conclusion reached by Solomon the Wise in Ecclesiastes. This is scary, what if God is sadistic? How can we find Joy, how can we trust that He is good, and that goodness is not an arbitrary construct (that the difference between good and evil is not the same as the difference between land and see)? God humbled Himself to us. He did not rule over us as is His right, rather Jesus gave up all the authority and glory that He had in heaven and became one of us. More than that He became one of the least of us! Then God raised Him above everything. Thus when we humble ourselves we, in a sense, become like God! One of the prime truths of reality is humility! Indeed we are told that God is love and that love is putting others before ourselves. Did He not do that? And did He not give it to us to do that? Praise Him. To which of the animals was the capacity for humility and love given? Praise Him.
So predestination teaches us humility in the most stark way, so be very careful lest you cause great harm with this powerful tool. However do not shy away from it for it is Glorious and forces us to confront the reality of God. This confrontation will shake us to the core and show our sin in its blackness, but the light and the wisdom of God’s plan is well worth it.
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgements, and His paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the LORD? Or who has been His counsellor? Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them? For From Him and for Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.
- Romans 11:33-36
Therefore oh teacher, teach with fear and trembling lest you destroy the faith of God’s beloved. Humble yourself before the LORD that He would work in you and through you. But do not stop teaching: what richness there are in God, what Glory is yours to share!
The way to surety is not primarily through teaching, especially not through teaching to avoid error. Rather the means to surety of salvation is teaching Christ and working it out. Faith which results in works. For in so doing we see the work of the Spirit in us, the work of God about us and we share the compassion of Christ. 2 Peter 1, another?
We are told to live for the Glory of God, but I find that profoundly uninspiring. Indeed I find it oppressive, and it leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Am I not independent, is there no value in my work? Is any enjoyment I have wrong, inefficient? Can I still do what God has clearly gifted me to do when it is not actively serving Him?
I want to overthrow this classic teaching that everything we do must be for the Glory of God. It is oppressive and demeaning, it inspires guilt and the feeling of being superior, it causes joy to whither.
But the scripture is clear that everything is for the Glory of Christ. So how do we accept this? What is the Glory of God?
There seem to me to be two ways to understand glory. The first is as fame, the second is as the fullness of something.
Fame -> Character.
Fullness -> Delight/Design.
Remember: “The Church which is the fullness of Christ who fill everything in every way.” Ephesians 1:22-23
“Don’t lord it [leadership] over them, rather humble yourselves…” Mark 10:41-45
God humbled Himself to bring us glory, so we humble ourselves to bring Him glory. This forms a beautiful, self reinforcing cycle!
“Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name.” Philippians 2:9-11
Praise Him.
1 John 4: 7-21 We give glory to God by expressing His character in two ways: First we are saved, so God is shown humble and loving. Second we are like Him, humble and loving, so we embody His glory. Oh how wonderful is the character of God as revealed in the person of Jesus. Oh how great the intimacy of “being like Jesus in this world” (1 John 4:17).