Predestination and Free Will

hat is the solution? How can God choose people to have eternal life and yet men and women be free to choose? The answer is that we do not know! It does not make sense that man is free to choose and yet God has already chosen. But scripture teaches that both are true. It is a mystery or a paradox!

But someone will say, “But how can that be if God is fair?” The Apostle Paul had an answer for that question. Even the apostle realized that this paradox did not seem fair and so he wrote the following to the Christians in Rome,

And not only this, but there was Rebekah also, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac; for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls, it was said to her, “The older will serve the younger.” Just as it is written, “JACOB I LOVED, BUT ESAU I HATED.” (NASB) Rom. 9:10-13

Rebekah had two twins in her womb: Jacob and Esau. Yet, before either child could perform a moral deed, a wrong one or a right one, God decided that one would serve the younger. God made the decision. The decision had nothing to do with a sinful act of either child.

Then Paul reminds us of what God said to Moses,

For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy. (NASB) Rom. 9:15-16

God is the ultimate chooser and decider. That is the message. So why does God find fault with us? Paul’s answer is straight and to the point,

You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who resists His will?” On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? (NASB) Rom. 9:19-20

Who are you to question God? Even the apostle did not understand how God can choose and make decisions that affect us and yet be holy, righteous, and fair.

God chose us before the foundation of the world and yet we are free to accept. We must accept Jesus Christ. The answer to this paradox is unknown to us. Scripture teaches both truths. Therefore, I will believe both because scripture teaches both.

Over the years people have asked me if I believe that man has free will to choose God. My answer has been “Yes!” Others have asked if I believe that God chose me before the foundation of the world. My answer has been “Yes!” I believe both because scripture teaches both. I leave the mystery or the paradox of the situation up to God.

We will close with the following event in the life of Dr. Harry Ironside.

Dr. Harry Ironside told of a man who gave his testimony, telling how God had sought him and found him. How God had loved him, called him, saved him, delivered him, cleansed him, and healed him. It was a tremendous testimony to the glory of God.

After the meeting, one person in the service took him aside and said, “You know, I appreciate all that you said about what God did for you, but you did not mention anything about your part in it. Salvation is really part us and part God, and you should have mentioned something about your part.”

“Oh,” the man said, “I apologize. I am sorry. I really should have mentioned that. My part was running away, and God’s part was running after me until he found me.”[1]

Search For God - Peace With God

Apostasy - Leaving the Faith?

If you are not chosen then does it really matter when you die?

So why is our freewill inclined to a sinful nature?

1. Michael P. Green. Illustrations for Biblical Preaching. Baker Book House. 1985. p. 267.