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Predestination and Eternal Security

            These two topics are very closely related—just viewed a bit differently.

            As stated, Eternal Security states that once we have been saved, we can’t fall away and be eternally lost. Predestination says that God determines who will receive him and be saved, and who won’t.

            First I want to wrap up Eternal Security a little better. It is a little ironic that scriptures supporting a sure salvation are often used to defend Eternal Security.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. John 10:27-29

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39

            These two passages are loved by those favoring Eternal Security! Too bad we have the rest of God’s Word to consider!

            You will note that these two passages are telling us that no external influence can move us from Christ, God, and salvation. These verses never tell us that we can’t go back into sin, and fall away—we always retain the freedom to choose. You’ve seen all the other scripture (in our A Sure Salvation vs. Eternal Security section), so you should be at least starting to acknowledge the untrue nature of “Eternal Security.”

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28

            This is the message! Those who created the Eternal Security doctrine were faithless, and wanted to excuse even denials of Christ. They wanted to be able to retain the carnal nature instead of pursuing righteousness. Many thousands of souls will be led away and eternally lost because of this false teaching—don’t allow yourself to be one of them!

            You want a biblical tale to go with this? Read all of II Peter 2, concerning false teachings. Here are key parts:

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. II Peter 2:1

While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. II Peter 2:19-21

            You now have been warned through God’s Holy Word.

            The word “elect” is often misused in these false doctrines. To be elect does mean chosen; but does not take away free will or guarantee salvation. Through numerous examples you have already seen, some even using the term “elect,” you know this to be the case. I think this next verse gives a good summary.

Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: II Peter 1:10

            When one is the “elect,” they have been chosen—but still need to accept their election. Then after that acceptance, duties still need be performed—or their office can be taken away. Scripture is clear about the need to stay obedient and close to the Lord for salvation, over and over again:  therefore, being “elect” will not secure heaven for you.

            Hebrews 6:4-6 and 10:26-29 can be difficult passages to deal with and put into the proper perspective. Some who are into “dispensation” theology write the book of Hebrews out of our lives because of verses like these. God’s Word does not separate them, however. You can read more about dispensation theology in it’s own section. Now back to our troubling verses…

For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. Hebrews 6:4-6

For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, Hebrews 10:26

            What troubles so many is that these verses seem to imply that if we sin after being saved, we can’t repent again. The term “willful sin” is used; but isn’t all sin willful? Here again we get into trouble if we are not using the entire Word of God. Through prayer and research you will find exactly what Jesus (the Word; see John 1) is saying.

            We can absolutely know that we are forgiven by believing God’s Word! Let’s look at the following scripture:

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1,2

            This tells us we have been forgiven (justified) by faith, and that we have access to this grace through Jesus! That means we can come to him for forgiveness.

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. Romans 5:8-10

            Wow! Let me paraphrase just a bit:  when we were sinners, wanting nothing to do with God, Christ died for us. If he loved us that much when we hated him, won’t he love us now—when we want to please him and fall short at times?

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:  And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our’s only, but also for the sins of the whole world. I John 1:8-2:2

            These verses encourage us not to sin, but tell us that when we do, Jesus is our advocate with the Father. Even Hebrews 7:25 tells us Jesus lives to make intercession for us!

Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. Luke 17:3,4

            Christ was our example in all things. If he told us to forgive each time our brother repents, you know we will be forgiven when we repent. What about all the times wayward Israel fell away and returned?

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. II Chronicles 7:14

            What about David repenting after adultery and murder? God’s mercy toward repentant sinners abounds in the pages of His Word.

            So what does willful sin mean? I believe God gives a great example in I Samuel chapter 15, with Saul; Israel’s first king. Through Samuel, Saul was told to destroy the Amalekites (vengeance for mistreating Israel). He was told to kill all of them, and to destroy all the cattle (of various kinds) that they possessed. Saul did not do this; but spared the king, and decided to keep the best of the herds to make sacrifices to the Lord. Now remember that the sacrifice of animals to the Lord was a holy act at that time. So while Saul was disobeying God, he did it in a religious way that he considered adequate. (Saul’s own righteousness) God told Samuel what Saul had done, and that he (God) was now rejecting Saul as king. Samuel went to Saul To confront him, and three times Saul claimed he had obeyed the Lord—even when being rebuked!

            This is a type of willful sin talked about in Hebrews. Consider Saul’s reaction compared to David’s, when he sinned. II Samuel chapters 11 and 12 have the story; Psalms 51 is written by David in repentance. Because of the carnal (sinful) nature in each of us, we are allured to sin over and over again. So even believers in Christ can fall back into sin, and then need to repent to restore right relations with God.

            Consider it this way:  if any man be in Christ he is a new creature (II Corinthians 5:17), but he still must die daily to his old self (Luke 9:23). Attitudes and outlook change right away, but we need to be filled with the Holy Spirit more and more to be strong enough to overcome sin. This struggle of spirit vs. flesh is given an account in Romans chapter seven.

Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. Mark 14:38

            Example:  At one time in my life, I had a fairly good friend I worked with who did not know Christ. He and I would go out 2-3 times a week after work—to a bar for relaxation. (Note:  the Word does not absolutely forbid drinking—but strongly urges against it) As time went on Jesus began to convict me; most of all about the ungodly atmosphere I was being a part of. I knew Christ wanted me out. And yes, to not obey was a sin (see James 4:17). So I should just obey, right? When I continued to go, was I “willfully” sinning and making void my salvation? NO! My carnal self was to weak to obey God as my mind knew that I should.

            What made it difficult? 1) My friend thought Christians were snobs and self-righteous. I felt my break would only re-enforce his perception 2) I was an important “friend”, being a very regular presence in his life. He often took weekend get aways, and I would care for his dog (a black lab) while he was gone. Who would do that? 3) Yes, I was that one steady acquaintance to do things with—he had another one, also, who had moved half way across the country. Wouldn’t I be abandoning him to be almost entirely alone?

            These really are pretty good reasons—legitimate concerns. God calls us to obey, however, in faith. I took my petition to the Lord; confessing that I was too weak to do as He had directed. I prayed He would help me, so I could obey Him. During the next two months, my friend’s dog died, and his other friend moved back home! The rest was up to me. My Lord had provided the way of escape; now I had to obey. It was still awkward, but I did. Very soon after that I gave up drinking altogether.

            This is then the sum of the Word regarding “willful” sin:  willful sin is the deliberate disobedience of God’s directive. It is not repentant, and desires to be forgiven rather than to obey. This is a true “heart intent” issue, which can be hard to see at times. When David was rebuked, he repented. When Saul was rebuked, he denied sinning. What a difference! Some try to say we can do whatever we want, and it’s OK. What an insult to Jesus’ blood! Just read Romans chapter six, or I John chapters 1-3 to have it made clear. Also read the section Grace and Works on this website. If you have been misled over this issue, go to the Lord and repent. What you have done in ignorance will be forgiven.

            Perhaps there are also those of you who are ashamed. You have tried to live for Christ, but kept coming up short. Just remember:

And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible. Mark 10:26,27

            Jesus’ blood is the atoning sacrifice that enables us to be saved:  not our works. (Ephesians 2:8-9) Being perfected is a lifetime process that will only be completed by leaving our sinful flesh. Yes, we must pursue holiness, knowing that Jesus’ blood makes up the gap where we fall short. If this is you (i.e., being ashamed, and it was me, once), repent and receive the boundless mercy of our God! Jesus came because we can not save ourselves—praise the Lord!

            Moving along now to predestination. There are only 2 areas of scripture that use this term, and it is used twice in each section. One is Romans 8:29 & 30; then also in Ephesians 1:5 and 11. Let’s start with Romans 8:28-30:

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. Romans 8:28-30

            Verse 30 actually refers back to verse 29, so let us focus there. The phrase is “predestinate to be conformed to the image of his son.” What was predestinated? Salvation through Jesus Christ! Dozens of scriptures prophesying of the messiah—the savior of the world. Since the time of mankind’s fall into sin, God planned in advance the sacrifice of His son Jesus as the perfect atonement. Jesus’ time on earth was predestinated, and it bears witness through the Word of God that he (Jesus) was that “Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29)

            Also in verse 29 it refers to believers as “those he did foreknow.” This is only stating the fact that God knows in advance those who will freely choose salvation. He did not know before creating mankind, but now he does.

Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, Ephesians 1:5

            Again, this reference to predestination is to salvation by Jesus Christ. Verses 10 and 11 say:

That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: Ephesians 1:10,11

            Here the two verses are distinctly linked together, showing predestination to be salvation by Jesus; NOT God picking who will or won’t be saved.

            In I Peter 1:2, he describes himself as “elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ:”  I hope you can also see that God’s foreknowledge of his (Peter’s) election was through the blood of Jesus! And remember our discussion on the term elect? II Peter 1:10 verifies that the “elect” do not have a guaranteed salvation.

Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. Jeremiah 1:5

            God forms us all in the belly! He is the creator, who made our DNA and knows how it will combine. Even in issues like building a church, it is all from God (actually Jesus); for He made all the materials.

            It also says that He (God) chose Jeremiah to be a prophet. Still, it is not predestination. God knew how Jeremiah would be formed, how he would be raised. He knew that as He (God) revealed himself to and called Jeremiah what the response would be. That is an aspect of God’s calling; He knows who will be His.

            Another phrase you will hear of is such as is found in Romans 9:18:

Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. Romans 9:18

            Those who believe predestination try to use verses like this to support their view. They would still be closing their eyes to vast amounts of scripture on free will, and the fact that God wants all men to come to repentance.

            In light of this, I believe God gives ample opportunity for each person to come to Him. God is faithful, even when knowing an individual will not choose Him. (II Timothy 2:12,13)

            One inference from the scripture, “I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy”; is that God is not a respecter of persons. Even as God went not to the Jews only, but to all people. Another reason is simply to put His omnipotent wisdom over that of mankind, many of whom criticize God for casting some into Hell.

            Look at the referenced verse Romans 9:18; then go back to Exodus for the complete account. You will see that Pharaoh had one last opportunity to obey the Lord before his heart was hardened. God is faithful to offer salvation to everyone, but does stop making sales calls” at a time He appoints! (see delusion section)

            If you have been heavily indoctrinated into believing either eternal security or predestination, it can be hard to shake the teachings of those who you feel are learned, godly men. You may also think I am spinning a view of some verses as I see fit.

            Concerning the first, you must believe God’s Word over those of your teachers. You need to remember the time we are in, and how rampant spiritual deception will continue to be. Also realize that these teachers are also deceived; and repeating the lies of those they respected.

            As for the second, my viewpoint regards the entire Word of God to see what it means. Remember:  believers are to live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. I would never twist one scripture to support my particular leaning, unless it were supported throughout God’s Word.

Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. II Peter 1:20,21

            Please review our section on How to Read God’s Word to help illumine your way.

WARNING:  To avoid falling away, return to the pure Word of God; which is the King James Bible. Revised translations are not small word alterations meant to bring clarity! Major doctrinal changes have occurred, which will bring doubt and destroy your faith. To follow these new “versions” of the truth, is to build your spiritual house upon sand, and become as the ones reflected in Matthew 7:21-23. Please use this entire passage, Matthew 7:21-27.

            Satan means to deceive you into sincerely following his alternate “truth.” You are really being set up to fall, and serve the antichrist.

            Pray and seek God diligently in this matter; for time is short. See also our Bible Version section and the section on Eternal Security.

                                                                        With Charity from Christ,

                                                                        Andy