Are some people predestinated to be saved while others are predestinated to be lost? If this true, would it make any difference for one to do right if he is predestinated to be lost?
Predestination is definitely a Bible topic, but not in the way which espouses that every individual has been handpicked by God to be either saved or condemned. The critical question is, "Did God predestinate the man or the plan?" God predestinated a system of salvation by grace through faith in Christ. God did not set up the popular system of predestination for the following reasons:
- It would make God a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34; Romans 2:11; Ephesians 6:9).
- It would make God responsible for the damnation of the wicked (Ezekiel 18:21-23; 33:11).
- It would deny that God wants all men to be saved (Mark 16:15-16; 1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9; Titus 2:11-14).
- It would refuse to accept that Christ died for all men (Hebrews 2:9; 1 Timothy 2:6; 1 John 2:2; 4:14).
- It would reject the free will choice of man (John 5:40; Matthew 23:37; Revelation 22:17; John 24:15).
- It would make the call to repentance hypocritical (Matthew 11:28; Acts 17:30; 2 Corinthians 5:10-11; Acts 10:34-35).
God chose a plan of salvation through Jesus (Ephesians 1:3-14). We cannot control who will obey no more than God can. God in His sovereignty could control man like a robot, but He chose not to do so. Whatever happens to us, it will be determined by our individual response to God's predestined plan of salvation.
- The Gospel Teacher, 1/14/18