God’s foreknowledge of what he will do does not necessitate him to do.
~Stephen Charnock (1628-1680)
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised— who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.
~ Romans 8:28-34
When it comes to sticky theological issues beloved, this blogger generally won’t touch them with the longest of poles. This writer’s 35 years of being a Christian, Bible degree, missionary certification, minister’s license, and ordination certificate are simply flimsy pieces of evidence that i am qualified to speak on these matters. My only real claim to fame is that i have some Bibles that are getting marked up and worn out – and my knees are finally starting to develop some thicker skin as He keeps driving me down onto them. And, thankfully, there are days when i am quiet enough, that i can actually hear Him speak (Oh, by the way… so can you!)
One issue though, that does not have to be contentious in our lives is the question of G_d’s foreknowledge and predestination of believers to salvation.
One thing that is abundantly clear in Scripture is that G_d gave all creation absolute free will.
What? Aren’t you talking about predestination?
Yeah, it is free will.
What?
OK. Slow down for a second. Kick this out of rationale thinking mode for a minute. Reason fails on stuff like this. That is why the debate has been going on for centuries between free will and predestination (as in: is it one or the other? ’cause that’s the only way it can be…).
It is both. And it is each. Get into mystery mode (as in: like tryin’ to figure out the Trinity…).
OK. Clear as blue mud? Good.
However, here is the underlying principle: G_d is absolutely sovereign – even over Himself. And this means, paradoxically, that G_d has absolutely free will (the big word is ‘Omnipotent). In the same equation, G_d is totally smart (the other big word here is ‘Omniscient.”). He is totally free, and he is totally smart, and he created beings (us) who are shadows of His image. And in this image we have intelligence and free choice.
So, this Totally Smart G_d looked forward into His creation, and because He is so smart, He knows who of us sorta smart, and free people would choose Him. This is the “Foreknowledge of G_d.”
But get this, the foundation of His eternal throne is righteousness (Psalm 89, 97, Romans 3, and others). Bottom-line: G_d always does the right thing – always. And in doing the right thing, this forward-looking, Totally smart G_d has made absolutely sure that those who would choose Him, would actually do so. He knows the pitfalls in the spiritual realm (where the real battle is), and as such things are true, He created a path of safe passage for those who would believe to walk towards Him.
This safe passage for the person who would believe is what we call ‘Predestination.” So, let us not get too twisted around the axle when we think about this mystery. Surely, it remains a mystery! But just like we can’t quite understand the Trinity – we still sorta get it.
So, in the same way, we can rest in the truth that G_d’s foreknowledge of our belief in Him is a source of great comfort. Because, in Him making the way sure, we are not on some gnarly path off of which we can easily fall. We are not going to fall out of His grace, or our faith in Him. We are safe. We are saved, and are on a path that is more sure than that of a planet falling through its orbit around a star.
This is very good news!
