he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—
Ephesians 1:5 NIV
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,
Ephesians 1:11 NIV
Predestination has been a hot topic in the church. Entire denominations have been build around it. Here's my take.
The reality is God has seen the beginning, middle, and end of every life and He speaks what already is even though it has yet to happen.
And.....4,100 years ago God came to a man named Abram and made a covenant with him. Basically he would be the father of many nations and all peoples on earth would be blessed through him. So Abraham was predestined for this. It was nothing he did either before or after God spoke to him. God did it all. So the Jews understood being predestined, being chosen. Most of the peoples of the earth in the first century A.D. would have known this of the Jews so Paul here is using language the Bible time people understood.
We could spin forever debating free will versus predestination, and grace versus law. The church has been arguing these things for 2,000 years. However, scripture is clear that our time on earth is a journey, not a destination. Scripture says we will be transformed in the blink of an eye and that happens after we leave our earth suit. So while we are here, whatever time we have, must be spent in what used to be my favorite word. Sanctification. The process of being made Holy. In other words, getting saved is not an event, but a journey of becoming more like Christ. It starts with an event, a coming to Jesus moment, but it cannot end there.
Matthew 6:20 But store up for yourselves treasure in heaven
Matthew 7:8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
Matthew 25:14-30 parable of the ten talents. The one given 5 talents gained 5 more and the one given 2 talents gained 2 more.
And be ye not conformed, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind
There are so many scriptures about growing and changing, about the journey. It doesn't really matter though how predestined or how much choice we have. The Bible is clear that while we are here we are to become more like Christ each day. So if God chose me and I have no say in the matter, I still must strive each day for Christ's likeness in me. Just as Abraham exercised his faith both before and after his calling. And obviously if it is my choice, the choosing doesn't end with my first decision. No more so than if a man chooses a woman. He will strive for her love all the days of his life. So it is with Christ and us.
