Predestination and Free Will –
The Truth of the Relationship with GOD
In this article I will use the name for GOD spelled
in all capital letters as a way to reference the one and only great I AM – YHWY
– the name which Moses learned when spoken to by the Creator of all. There are
two views regarding mankind’s existence with regard to salvation, whether by
predestination or free will. The first is Calvinism (introduced by John Calvin
in the 16th century as part of the Reformation). Defined, Calvinism
is the belief that GOD has
chosen which persons will be with Him in Paradise forever, or the set
predestination of each soul on earth. The second is the belief that free will
plays a part in GOD’s free
gift of salvation.
Many
people are first introduced to Jesus with the simple message of John 3:16, “For
GOD so loved
the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him will
not perish but have everlasting life.” Simple. Easy enough for a child to grasp
the need for Jesus to forgive is the simple message of the Gospel – the Good
News.
In this
article, I will continue with the simple message of the Gospel. I will address
the interpretation of Matthew 7:22-23 and the example of Sampson the Nazirite used
by Calvinism. Foremost in importance, I will examine Scripture which supports
both predestination and free will. Defined by Dictionary.com, free will is an act or thought “done freely
or of one’s own accord; voluntary.” It is the act and thought to respond from
the source that is from within.
The Apostle Paul, through the Divine
inspiration of the Holy Spirit, implored the act to “test all things,” which is
my intent. Lastly, this article is not exhaustive, but it provides the basis of
the Truth and the relationship with GOD.
Matthew
7:22-23 is used by Calvinism to claim that those who believe may not be chosen.
When Jesus was teaching what is widely known as the Sermon on the Mount, He
began His concluding remarks with the following as it written down by the
Apostle Matthew, “Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not
prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name
perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away
from me, you evildoers!’” It certainly sounds like these individuals were
sincere to Jesus. First, they called Him “Lord, Lord.” Second, they acted on
that allegiance. However, the point Jesus made and makes today throughout His
Word and divine Spirit, is that these individuals thought they could earn
their way into everlasting life, into Heaven, by word and boastful action. The
Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus, “For it is by grace you have been
saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the GOD – not by
works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Luke 6:46 tells us that
Jesus said, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord’ and do not do what I say?” Even
though these individuals were doing good works, they were not doing what Jesus
ask of them. They were living for an audience of many and not the audience of
one – GOD. They
were remiss in the acknowledgement of the complete need for Jesus, that they
were utterly inadequate. This is the proper response to Jesus. As I examine
Matthew 7:22-23 and the preceding Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), there is
nothing which supports Calvinism. What I see in Matthew 7 is Jesus addressing
the insincerity of some and salvation by works with the use of a harsh example
as a means of correction. In fact, the phrase “I never knew you” was “a
recognized formula of repudiation and rejection.” (NIV Cultural Background
Bible, Commentary). Jesus was rejecting their so-called good deeds and thereby
rejecting them.
The
person and history of Samson (in Judges 13-15) has been used to support
Calvinism. Samson was born at a Nazirite, as predestined by GOD, which
came with certain restrictions (Numbers 6:1-21). Samson’s purpose was chosen or
elected by GOD for His
purpose, but was it Election Unto Salvation – as Calvinism supports – or was it
Election Unto Service? Samson disobeyed his chosen directive at every turn,
including falling to the seduction of a woman which his people were never to
join in a sexual encounter. Samson obviously had a choice to obey or not to
obey in his “chosen” role. Also, there are numerous examples where GOD chooses
a person for His purposes. Another example (as Paul referenced in Romans 9), even Pharaoh served GOD’s
purpose when GOD hardened
his heart before Moses. Two different
Hebrew words:
1) Of Pharaoh
(kabed) to make firm (Exodus 7:14; 8:15). Pharaoh hardened his own heart
(Exodus 7:13, 14, 22; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7, 34 and 35).
2) Of GOD (chazaq) to cure, establish, or ratify
(Exodus 10:20) GOD
hardened Pharaoh’s heart (Exodus 9:12; 10:1, 20, 27; 11:10; 14:8).
Pharaoh’s heart
was already hardened, and GOD left him in that state. This served his
purpose which is also Election Unto Service.
Jesus chose His twelve
disciples, but not all of them responded to His free gift of salvation in a
positive manner – Judas Iscariot chose to not follow in a manner worthy of GOD which
allowed Satan to enter Judas in order to betray Jesus and then in a remorseful
state committed suicide. Peter denied Jesus and was remorseful, but later
confessed his disobedience. Repentance is the key to the difference between
Judas and Peter. In Genesis GOD created Adam and Eve, placed them in the
Garden and gave them one command – not to eat of the Tree of Knowledge of Good
and Evil and the Tree of Life. This command alone is evidence that GOD gave His
creation a choice – a choice to abide with GOD and enjoy life everlasting, or to
die spiritually. If His creation of man and woman – who were and are created in
His image – were not given this choice then their response to their Creator
would be nothing more than an instinctive response programmed into their brain.
The Creator GOD gave man
and woman a choice, just as modern man and woman have a choice to respond to GOD’s free
gift of salvation from spiritual death.
Another
example, a passage often used to support the Calvinist view is 1 Peter 1:1-2,
the opening salutation, and the final greetings of 1 Peter 5:13-14. However,
these passages should not be used to support Calvinism in this manner. Peter
used the word “elect” and “chosen” for a different reason. His letter was
written to Gentiles (non-Jews) particularly churches in Gentile regions and
cities of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. If “elect’ and
“chosen” were used for just Gentiles, then that would exclude the Christian
Jews; therefore, his choice of the words “elect” and “chosen” are not meant to
support the Calvinist view. In makes more sense that Peter used these two words
to encourage his Gentiles brothers and sisters in that “chosen” is no longer
just the nation of Israel – who had been GOD’s chosen people for hundreds
of centuries – but that GOD’s
“chosen” is now the Church – the bride of Christ (Peter refers to the Church as
“she” in 1 Peter 5:13). Since Peter was a Jew, calling Gentiles “chosen” would
have added great significance and meaning to them when they read his letter. The
Apostle Paul made the connection to this point when he encouraged the Ephesians
in the same manner as the Apostle Peter (Ephesians 2:11-18), when he wrote “…
remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth … at that time you were
separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the
covenants and the promise, without hope and without GOD in the
world. … For though him [Christ] we both [Gentiles and Jews] have access to the
Father in one Spirit.” There is good news in knowing that Jews and now Gentiles
have access, through Jesus the Messiah, into the citizenship of Heaven. The
combined groups now make up GOD’s chosen as defined by the Apostle Peter
– those who accept in the resurrection of Jesus the Messiah. Once again, this
is why Paul wrote in (verses 8-9) “For it is by grace you have been
saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift
of GOD.” The
Gentiles no longer have to look the Jews as an example of what it means to be
saved with regard to works (i.e. sacrifice and the Law, since Jesus came “to
fulfill the Law and the Prophets). Salvation to all is now only by grace and
faith – GOD’s free
gift of salvation.
Furthermore,
throughout the Old Testament, there are examples of Jews (the chosen people)
who rejected the will of GOD as well as rejected who Jesus is – the
Messiah (Christ). 2 Chronicles records that king Rehoboam (king Solomon’s son) “did
evil, for he did not set his heart to seek the Lord” (12:14). From King Jehoram
to King Zedekiah (Jews), there were those who rejected GOD. In Amos
3:2, the prophet Amos wrote the words of GOD, “You only I have chosen …” The
original Hebrew word is translated as “know.” (A word the Akkadians – who
predate the Assyrians – also used to describe the care their gods provided –
not to diminish the word “know” as GOD used it.) Here, GOD is
describing all of the nation of Israel, which as the time rejected GOD. So, the
question must be asked: how can one reject GOD and remain “chosen” as defined by
the Calvinist view? During the time of Israel’s (and Judah’s) rejection of GOD is
evidence that the word “chosen” is not always meant for those who will enter GOD’s kingdom.
When
Jesus the Christ established the Church (Matthew 16:13-27), GOD
redefined the “chosen” to include Christ-followers who responded to his calling
– both Jew and Gentile which is why the Apostle Paul stated the following in
Ephesian 2:20 “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but
fellow citizens of GOD’s people
and also members of his household.” This had great significance for the
Gentiles who sought (and now seek) the heart of GOD. Just as king David was a “man
after GOD’s own
heart” (1 Samuel 13:14 and Acts 13:22), he sought the will of GOD (even
through his failures – see Psalm 51); those of the Church, who are called
“chosen,” have also responded to GOD’s free gift of salvation. To
reference 1 Peter 1:2 again, the author continues with the use of the phrase
“foreknowledge of GOD.” In
this context, GOD knew and
knows who are his chosen – whether Jew or Gentile. In other words, he has the
foreknowledge of who will respond and who will not. This word “respond” is further
reviewed in the remaining article.
There are
many passages in GOD’s Word
which indicate that those within the family of GOD are predestined. The following
passages support the word chosen and predestined (a non-exhaustive
list):
- The concluding
words in the Wedding Banquet parable from Jesus, “For many are invited, but few
are chosen.” Matthew 22:14
- In
response to Jesus’ betrayal by Judas Iscariot, “I am not referring to all of
you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the passage of
Scripture: ‘He who shared my bread has turned against me.’” John 13:18
- The Book
of Romans was written by the Apostle Paul to his kinsmen, the Jews. Paul writes
about being victorious in Jesus the Christ, “Who will bring any charge against
those whom GOD has
chosen? It is GOD who
justifies.” Romans 8:33 – the Jews were GOD’s chosen people, but as previously
stated, not all Jews will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven – example many of the
religious leaders at the time of Jesus’ time on earth.
- Romans 8:29-30
(ESV) 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 he justified he also glorified. To start, Paul is not using
the aforementioned wording to support a predestination argument. Those God knew
to be in his family are predestined to conform to the image of Jesus – and not
a salvation-predestined statement. “Glorified” is a “futuristic aorist, an
active indicative, so certain it will happen now and not yet – i.e.: things to
come. In essence,
this is also a predestined for service passage.
- Another
scripture which supports chosen and predestined is Revelation 17:14.
There are
many passages in GOD’s Word
which indicate the need to respond to His invitation of salvation – that
response is belief. The following passages support free will and belief (a non-exhaustive
list):
- Jesus
spoke to Nicodemus about eternal life, “For GOD so loved the world that He gave
His only begotten Son, the whoever believes in Him will not perish but have
eternal life.” In the original Aramaic, Jesus used the action verb “believe.”
It’s not enough to just believe without an action, which means there is the
need for a response from the creation to the Creator GOD. Jesus
continues to use this word in vv. 18 and 35, as well as 5:24, 6:40 and 47; and
in John 11:25-26 Jesus says, “… ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The who
believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing
in me will never die …’”
- Luke
writes in the Book of Acts when he quotes the Apostle Peter, “All the prophets
testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of
sins through His name.” The Apostle Paul states the same to a different
audience in Antioch, “Through Him everyone who believes is set free from every
sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses.”
- The
Apostle Paul, who wrote the Book of Romans containing passages which support
predestination, also wrote the following, “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel,
because it is the power of GOD that brings salvation to everyone
who believes; first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.”
- Additional
passages which support belief and free will include Romans 10:4 and 9-13 and 17
(which speaks of faith by hearing), I John 5:1, and Hebrews 4:3.
But
remember, the belief that GOD allowed for his creation of man and woman
free will alone is not accurate. “For it is by grace you have been saved,
through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the GOD – not by
works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) No man or woman can save
him or herself. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life, no [one]
comes to the Father [GOD] except
through me.” John 14:6
The
following passages support both predestination and free will (a non-exhaustive
list):
- The
Apostle Paul speaks to the people in Antioch, “When the Gentiles heard this,
they were glad and honored the Word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for
eternal life believed.” Key words are “appointed” and “believed.”
- An
admittedly perplexing passage in Romans 9:15-18 references predestination by
way of the historical example of Pharaoh – but the Apostle Paul concludes at
the end of the chapter, “As it is written, ‘See, I lay in Zion a stone that
causes people to stumble and a rock that make them fall, and the one who believes
in Him will never be out to shame.’” Key word are “causes” and “believes,”
eluding to both. In all reality, this passage is not meant to support
predestination. As mentioned above, Pharaoh hardened his heart before GOD did.
- And the
passage which I believe answers the question of predestination versus free
will, or predestination and free will, is in Colossians 1:27 as the
Apostle Paul writes, “To them GOD has chosen to make known among the
Gentiles [non-Jews] the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in
you, the hope of glory.” There is no indication has to how many Gentiles, it
just states, “the Gentiles,” which I conclude the knowledge of GOD’s
“glorious riches” are made known to all – “to the Jew first and then the
Gentile.” Romans 1:16. It is up to the individual to respond to this offer.
There is
scripture to support predestination and free will, which may seem like a
contradiction. On the contrary, as with many passages in the Bible, they are
complimentary. For example, when Jesus told His disciples in order to love GOD one must
hate his father and mother. This is Jesus using hyperbole to make a point –
that being, our love for GOD should be so great that it appears our
father and mother come in a distant second; it is complimentary. The command to
honor our father and mother still applies. Even the Apostle Paul’s statement to
the Ephesians is complimentary, “… by grace you have been saved, through faith
…” It is grace and faith. Another example is in Proverbs 26 when Solomon
writes, “Answer not a fool according to his folly, or you will also be like
him. Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own
conceit.” The key complimentary phrase is “according to his folly.” The writer
of Proverbs is advising the use of discretion. If the fool appears to not
listen to wise counsel then be silent. On the other hand, we should continue to
provide wisdom if the person is willing to listen. The same holds true with the
aforementioned passages primary to the subject of this article.
When Jesus asked His disciples, as recorded in Matthew 13, “Who do you say I am?”
Peter boldly responded, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living GOD.” Jesus
responded, “This was not revealed to you by flesh and blood but by my Father in
Heaven.” Yes, GOD revealed
who the Savior of the world was and is, but Peter responded verbally with the
answer; he could have kept silent (just as Adam and Eve ate from the Tree of
Knowledge of Good Evil when they should have obeyed GOD and refrained). The
same held true when Jesus called Peter, James, and John to follow Him. Peter
and his fishing crew could have remained in the boat, but they did not – they
stepped out of the boat which was their response to Jesus’ calling to them.
In Luke
10, Jesus points out that Mary (not his mother), chose to be with him. Did Mary
choose Jesus? No. She chose to worship him instead of being busy like her
sister Martha — it was also her response to the free gift of salvation. The
original Greek word of “chose” in Luke 10:42 is the same as in Ephesians 1:4
(as discussed earlier) and in John 15:16 when Jesus says, “I chose you, you did
not choose me.” In the proper context, Jesus was talking about his 12 disciples
and not the larger population of the redeemed – recall that of 12 disciples
betrayed Jesus. Context is important when examining scripture. Who is speaking?
Who is the audience? What people(s) are part of the context? What is the
culture? What are any non-biblical beliefs of the day and are they important to
the context. It has been my attempt to examine the original language and its
context in order to present this article.
After
examining Scripture, I believe that GOD has, in
His foreknowledge, predestined those within the family of GOD, but
somehow in His sovereignty He did not interfere with mankind’s free will to respond
to His free gift of salvation; how that works, I do not know – it is a mystery. There
are many other mysteries about GOD. He exists outside of time;
therefore He knows all, including those who will be with Him for eternity and
those who will not. GOD is love. And in that love, He demonstrated it “while
were yet sinners,” Jesus the Messiah died for us and was resurrected. 2
Corinthians 6:2 is an excellent source to support both predestination and free
will. “In the time of my [GOD’s] favor I heard you, and in the day of
salvation I helped you. I tell you, now is the time of GOD’s favor,
now is the day of salvation.” In the original Greek it reads, “For he [GOD] says,
‘In an acceptable time I heard you, and in a day of salvation I helped you;’
behold, now is the acceptable time! Behold now is the day of
salvation!” The phrase, “In the time of my favor” references GOD’s
foreknowledge, and “I heard you” references who GOD hears: the person who responds to
his free gift of salvation. GOD gave Adam and Eve a choice. GOD sent his
only Son to die for our sins on a cross. The two other men on either side of
Jesus while on the cross are a prime example of response. One accepted Jesus.
The other rejected Jesus. (Luke 23:39-43)
The
answer is: both. Within the Calvinist view, it is stated by John Calvin, “… not
all men are created with similar destiny, but eternal life is foreordained for
some, and eternal damnation for others.” This contradicts what the Apostle
Peter said – in what many scholars refer to as his first sermon – to the Jews,
“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the
forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The
promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off – for all whom
the LORD our GOD will
call.” (Acts 2:38-39) “Repent” indicates a response on the part of the man and
the woman. (Note: not all have the opportunity to be baptized – example, the
thief on the cross next to Jesus who will be with Him in paradise as Jesus said
to him – but all have the opportunity to repent.) In GOD’s
sovereignty, as referenced in the phrase “… for all whom the LORD our GOD will
call,” there is indication that eternal life is predestined but GOD
instructed man and woman to repent – the response. This view of “both” is known
as Arminianism, which was first introduced in Protestant Christianity in the early
17th century – GOD’s sovereignty and free will are
compatible.
GOD is
biblically known as a just God, as referenced in Deuteronomy 32:4 “…just and
upright is he.” Psalm 25:8-14 calls GOD “fair and just.” And throughout
Scripture there is encouragement for GOD’s creation to seek justice. Matthew
12:18 records GOD saying about Jesus, “… He will proclaim justice to the
nations. …” Isaiah and Nehemiah both spoke of justice as inspired by GOD (See
Isaiah 1 and Nehemiah 5.) James 1:27 provides justice-related instruction
regarding orphans and widows. GOD is the God of justice. If GOD created
billions of people – over the course of time – and chose, predestined some but
not others that would by default result in the “others” being destined for an
eternity apart from GOD – meaning hell. This is not the definition of a just GOD. Therefore, it is wise to use caution when presented with an incorrect definition of GOD.
Those who
teach strict predestination claim that man and woman do not have it in them to
respond to the free gift of salvation. However, Ecclesiastes tells us that “GOD
placed eternity in the hearts of man.” The book of Romans also tells us that
man is without excuse, that GOD’s creation is made known to all mankind. (Romans
1:19-20). From these two passages it appears that mankind was given the ability
to respond – the ability from birth.
Even the
following passage from Jeremiah strongly supports that the nation of Israel was
given a choice (italics added), “He said, ‘Can I not do with you, Israel, as
this potter does?’ declares the LORD. ‘Like clay in the hand of the potter, so
are you in my hand, Israel. If at any time I announce that a nation or kingdom
is to be uprooted, torn down, and destroyed, and of that nation I warned repents
of its evil then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had
planned. And if at another time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be
built up and planted, and if it does evil in my sight and does not obey me I
will reconsider the good I had intended to do for it.’” – Jeremiah 18:6-10
GOD referred
to Israel as His “chosen” people – a group set apart from the other nations;
now GOD refers
to the Church as His “chosen” people. It is His foreknowledge of who is a part
of His Church. The Truth of the relationship a Believer has with GOD is the
inheritance of salvation and abiding with GOD for all eternity; there is nothing
and no one else which makes life worthy. There is nothing a person can do to
earn eternal salvation. GOD revealed
and continues to reveal His invitation; a person’s response to His invitation
is not to believe or to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the
living GOD. And in
that belief, the Believer will follow Him. It is only by the body and blood of
Jesus that pays the price for our sin. Simple. Jesus the Christ paid for our
sins. John 14:6 indicates that the only way to the Father GOD is
Jesus. Colossians 1:19-20 states that Jesus “made peace with GOD for us
by the blood of Jesus.” Romans 5:6-9 says Christ died for us to justify us by
his blood. GOD is
all-knowing and the amazing thing is, He desires to be with his creation who
rejected Him. Therefore, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is
Lord,’ and believe in your heart that GOD raised him from the dead, you will
be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” Romans 10:9-10. “For GOD so loved the world that He gave His only
begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have
everlasting life.” John 3:16.
