What is predestination, and how does it affect salvation?

The apostle Paul uses this word, predestination, in several of his letters to describe God's plan for mankind. He shows that God worked out his plan ahead of time, in his foreknowledge. He knew that man would choose to disobey and that we would need a Savior. He had a plan for what he wanted us to become.

Let's look at several of these passages from the Bible to better understand predestination and what it means to you.

Ephesians 1:4-6

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 to be adopted as his sons 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 (Eph. 1:4-6 NIV).

Here the Bible describes that God chose for those who believe in him to be holy and blameless. He chose this before the world was created. He also planned for us to be adopted as sons. This passage does not specifically relate to individuals, but refers to God's plan for mankind.

Romans 8:29-30

For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified (Rom. 8:29-30 NKJV).

Again we see that God had a plan before creation. In that plan, he predestined us to be conformed to the image of Jesus. This is very similar to Ephesians 1:4, above. God's plan is for us to be holy and blameless.

Ephesians 1:11-12

In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory (Eph. 1:11-12 NIV).

Again we see God's plan worked out ahead of time. His will is for us to bring praise and glory to him through our trust in God's plan of salvation for our lives.

Individual Predestination

If these passages refer to individuals, rather than to God's plan, then it means that we are all God's puppets. Our fate has been decided and we will know at the end whom God has chosen. This eliminates the free will that God has given us. Taken to it's logical conclusion, it would not be necessary to trust Jesus for salvation or to share the good news with others. It is a very fatalistic point of view based on too narrow of an interpretation of the Bible.

Praise God that he has a plan for us. He invites us to follow his plan. He makes the way for us through Jesus Christ. When we wander, he tries to guide us back to his plan, sometimes gently, and sometimes very harshly. God's love for us is so strong that he wants for all of us to be saved (Matthew 18:12-14).

References

  • MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Eph 1:5). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.