THE BASIS FOR PREDESTINATION

ROMANS 9:11–12

Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God’s purpose in election might stand: not by works but by him who calls—she was told, “The older will serve the younger”

(Romans 9:11–12).

The emphasis in this passage is on God’s purpose. The reason why the decision was made before the twins were born, before they had done anything good or evil, is so that God’s purpose might stand. This statement is totally opposed to any kind of “foreknowledge” view of predestination, the notion that God based His choice on His foresight of man’s decisions.

Not only had Jacob and Esau not done good or evil in space and time when God made His choice, but by implication they had not “done good or evil” even in the mind of God. In other words, from God’s perspective there is no personal good or evil activity that is taken into account here. His choice was made without regard to the goodness or wickedness of the men.

Is this unfair? Obviously not. In the background of God’s choice is the fact that all men are so corrupt, even in their nature, that none ever do anything truly good. “There is no one that does good, not even one” (Romans 3:12). If God made His choice by looking into the future to see who was going to be good, He would choose no one because there would be none from whom to choose.

Election Not Based on Man’s Works

The foreknowledge view also fails because it makes election based on man’s good works. The semi-Pelagians argue that God elects those to be saved based on foreseen faith, but what is faith if it is not the greatest of human actions? The supreme good work is to place one’s trust in Jesus Christ. As Jesus Himself said, “The work of God is this: to believe in the One He has sent” (John 6:29).

In the semi-Pelagian or Arminian view the final decision for our salvation ultimately rests upon a human choice, not upon a divine action.

CORAM DEO

The doctrine of divine election is revealed for our comfort. Take some time today and make a list of all the comforting aspects of this doctrine you can think of. If you need help, look back over the previous lessons this month and last month.

For further study: John 3:16–21; Romans 3:9–18; 2 Timothy 1:9

wednesday

september