God is love and no love exists except it come from God. Love does not become effective unless it is received, accepted, and returned to sender. God first loved us. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son. God is total righteousness; he cannot tempt anyone, or commit an unrighteous act.
God hates unrighteousness, it is opposite his essence. God cannot create that he hates. Unrighteousness cannot come from righteousness. A righteous God cannot create an unrighteous man whom he wishes to hate without a cause? Only righteousness comes from a righteous God.
Those teaching God predestinates some men for hell and some for salvation are not presenting a righteous God, but a God unrighteous in his actions. The Bible tells us unrighteousness entered the world through Adam, not God. Satan is the tempter, and man brought unrighteousness into the world.
God created man with free will to accept the righteousness of God or choose unrighteousness through his own actions. The verses below tell us God is love and produces love. Satan is the father of hatred and influences man to reject the offer of eternal righteousness in Christ.
1 John 4:16 We have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; he that dwells in love dwells in God and God in him. (God first loved us; we must respond and love him in return to become a child of God. Man can reject this love from God.)
Romans 13:10 Love (God is love) works no ill to his neighbor; love (Christ) is the fulfilling of the law.
Luke 6:32-36 32If ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? Sinners also love those that love them. 33If ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? Sinners also do even the same. 34If ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? Sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35Love ye your enemies, do goodness, and lend, hoping for nothing again; your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest; he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. 36Be ye merciful, as your Father is merciful.
John 3:16 God so loved the world, he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (This is not a trick statement of the scriptures. Calvinists claim the word “whosoever” are those predestined for salvation.)
1 Thessalonians 4:9 As touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you; ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
2 Corinthians 5:14-15 14The love of Christ constrains us; because we thus judge, if one died for “all”, then were “all” dead: 15He died for “all”, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. (Christ died for everyone to have a chance for salvation)
Mark 10:21-22 21Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lack: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, give to the poor, thou shall have treasure in heaven, come, take up the cross, and follow me. 22He was sad at that saying, and went away grieved; he had great possessions.
Jesus loved the rich man and promised him eternal life if he chose to follow Jesus. The man went away sad, he made a choice to be the enemy of God because of his desire for riches.
Why was Jesus tempted of Satan? Jesus was fully man as well as fully God. Adam was made perfect, had free will choice, rebelled against God, and lost his spiritual soul. Jesus was also a perfect man and had the fullness of god dwelling in him. Jesus, the son of man, was tempted of Satan (Matthew 4:1-11) and had the choice to refuse the fulfillment of his mission.
After Jesus fasted forty days and nights, he was desperately hungry. Satan tempted Jesus with food first and then with self pride. Satan said, “If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread”. Jesus answered with scripture from Deuteronomy 8:1-3, “It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God”.
Satan continued to tempt Jesus with things within his power to offer Jesus. Finally, Jesus said, “Get the hence Satan: for it is written, thou shall worship the Lord thy God, and him only shall thou serve”. Jesus, the Son of man, had the choice to fulfill his mission or avoid the cross and let man die for the Adamic sin.
Jesus chose to do the will of the Father instead of giving in to the temptations of Satan. At the Mount of Olives (Matthew 26:39), Jesus went a little further, fell on his face, and prayed, saying, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt”.
Since Jesus was a perfect man and tempted of Satan, all men will be tempted of Satan. Satan is called “the tempter”. Jesus became the example that each man has a free choice to do the will of God or give in to the tempter and reject the will of God.
What is the will of God for man? The will of God is that all would accept his Son as their salvation. The following two verses show God does not take pleasure in those who reject him.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Ezekiel 33:11 Say unto them, “As I live, says the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways”.
The Son of man, Jesus, was tempted by Satan for several reasons. It proves Jesus had a choice or he would not have been tempted. Satan knew and proved Jesus was the Son of God. Jesus did not fail, and became worthy to be the perfect lamb without spot or blemish. He proved we can resist Satan with the written Words of God if we abide in them and his word abides in us. The above passage makes it clear God does not want anyone to perish.
Hebrews 2:17-18 17Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 18Since he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted.
Hebrews 4:15 We have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
If Jesus had to make a choice, do you think he would allow some elite egotist (Calvinist) to get by without making a choice? Some have a huge ego insisting they were elected by God over other persons. How can they be sure they are of the elect? They are saying God is a respecter of persons and chose them over another. This is the type of person described as the Pharisee or Sadducee.
Jesus entered the world as the great light from God that all could see. Everyone in darkness was now radiated by the light of God. There is now no excuse for man to be ignorant regarding God. His light came into the world to illuminate every heart and provide light in the darkness. This light of God is now recorded in the Bible for all to read.
Jesus is the seed that has been planted in every man’s heart. Man has no excuse; he now has the light to go along with darkness. What will man do with this? Will he remain in darkness, or will he come to the light that he might see? He has a choice. The illumination of God’s word has been preached to all nations. The light of God is in the world, and every man must accept or reject that light.
The light is not hidden, it is preached by Christians every day of the week and by God’s own creation 24 hours a day. Man is without excuse. He must make a decision.
John 1:9 Jesus was the true Light, which lights every man that cometh into the world. (The Word of God has come into the world incarnate in Jesus. Jesus has been declared as the light of the world. The whole world knows this and each individual will make a decision to come to this light or reject this light and remain in darkness.)
Matthew 1:21 She shall bring forth a son, and thou shall call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.
His people are “all” who use their freewill to accept Christ by faith. This verse does not discriminate. No person becomes his people until they are born again of God. Until then, all men are lost in sin.
Matthew 4:16-17 16The people which sat in “darkness” saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. 17From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (All mankind was in darkness. The light has appeared to all)
Matthew 4:18-22 18Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 19He said unto them, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. 20They straightway left their nets, and followed him. 21Going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. 22They immediately left the ship, their father, and followed him.
In the above passage, it is quite clear, Peter, Andrew, James, Zebedee, and John all left the things they were doing and followed Jesus. He did not force them follow him. He told them they would become fishers of men if they followed them. He chose them to be part of the apostleship, but each had the choice to refuse. He also chose Judas, who chose to follow him, but later betrayed Jesus to gain riches.
Jesus already knew they would make the decision to follow him, because he knows the end from the beginning. Jesus did not make the choice for them, but knew the choice each would make.
I may tape a football game and later watch the replay. I can replay the tape a hundred times, but I cannot change one play or action in that tape of the football game. When the game was played, each player, coach, and person involved in that game made decisions on each play. Each decision determined the result of each play and the game. Now it is history. I can go back and tell you the results of every play in the game if I watch the tape over and over, but I had nothing to do with the decisions of the game.
God knows the decisions of each man. He knows the results of the end from the beginning, but he does not force us to make our decisions. He has ceded that sovereignty to each of us. He knows the results, but has not predestined our decisions.
Are their certain times when God intercedes in the progress of a Christian’s life and molds the person to conform to Christ? Absolutely, as long as the individual is putty in the hands of the potter. If we humble ourselves to God, and let him live through us and mold us, he will do so. Why should we yield to God’s directions in our lives? He knows us better than we know ourselves.
We also have the ability to be obstinate and rebel against his wisdom, but we pay the price for doing so. Why? Again, God knows the best paths for us to take. He knows the end result of each decision we make. He knows the end from the beginning, but leaves the decisions to us.
The choice is ours to serve God as our master or serve Satan as master as recorded in Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.
Matthew 5:3-12 3Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 5Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 6Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 7Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 8Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 9Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. 10Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
In the above passage, there is nothing to indicate any of these groups of people are elite or have been selected by God to be an elect group. Each group is a different type of personality. They do not all have common characteristics that would be evident if all were forced against their will to be elected into God’s kingdom. It would seem many, forced against their will to live in eternity with God, would have a bad attitude for being forced against their will to enter heaven with a savior they do not love.
All of the above characteristics are common to those who choose to love goodness and hate evil. They were all blessed because they chose righteousness over unrighteousness. Have you ever noticed some kids are forced to be good by their parents? They rebel and try to be obstinate and evil. Have you ever seen a child whose father or mother is evil and has tried to make their kid evil? He rebels and cannot accept their evil? Why would a righteous God force some to be evil and some to be good? It doesn’t happen. The choice is left to each individual.
As in the above passage, those who become fit for the kingdom of God, choose Jesus by faith and are rewarded for their faith. Jesus says, “Ye have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many”. How can Jesus make someone faithful over things here on the earth if they are predestined to do them. It is impossible. However, if they choose to be faithful, they can be rewarded.
Matthew 4:23-25 23Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. 24His fame went throughout all Syria; they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with diver’s diseases, torments, those which were possessed with devils, those which were lunatic, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them. 25There followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judaea, and beyond Jordan.
Here is a passage that claims Jesus healed the sicknesses and diseases of “ALL” that were brought to him. Many were possessed with devils. If it is predestined that some will be created for hell and some created for heaven, it seems strange that Jesus would cast out devils from those predestined for hell. It is also strange that he would heal anyone predestined for hell.
However, if Jesus gives man a choice and allows it to rain on both the good and the bad (those who choose him and those who choose evil), then it is reasonable that Jesus would heal everyone and have compassion on all. If Jesus was giving a person a choice of good and evil, he would want the person to see the savior was Just and offered salvation to all men. If the savior gave no choice, but had predestined someone to hell, it appears he would not make an effort to cast devils out of them nor heal them.
By his compassion to heal all and cast out devils from all possessed, it proves Jesus wanted all to come to him and learn of his compassionate love.
Matthew 5:17-20 17Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. 18Verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all is fulfilled. 19Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so; he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Note in the above passage, verse 20 the word “your” prior to the word “righteousness”. Jesus did not predestinate, he plainly identified there was a choice. He said, “Your righteousness”. This has no other meaning than a person’s own righteousness must exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees. If Jesus predestinates, then the righteousness attained by an individual is forced on him by God. Yet, Jesus calls it “your” righteousness. This must mean the individual did something in his behalf to obtain this righteousness. He did, he accepted this righteousness from Christ by faith.
In God’s plan, a person can attain this righteousness from God’s grace by a man’s faith. If the faith is given to man as Calvinists claim, then it is not his faith. Thus he has nothing to do with attaining his righteousness. Jesus, clearly, defined it as “your righteousness”, which means the person has attained this righteousness by some act, such as accepting the free gift of eternal life by faith. It is the choice a person makes to accept the salvation offered by God. There is no other explanation for it to be “your” righteousness.
Also, Calvinist claims that faith is given to a man by God. Where did God get the faith? Why would God have or need faith? God is sure. He speaks and things come into existence, he does not have to wish they happen, he commands that they happen.
Matthew 5:22 I say unto you, that whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
Whosoever shall say, thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. There is no predestination inherent in this verse whatsoever. It is a clear choice of man to restrain himself or to act unrestrained.
Matthew 5:27, 30 27If thy right eye offends thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 30If thy right hand offends thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
Again, here is a clear choice of man. It is clear that a person has a choice of accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior even if it means plucking out a lustful eye or cutting of a thieving hand. All the person has to do is give himself to Jesus unconditionally and tell Jesus to do whatever is necessary with him, even it if means losing eyes or the use of hands. It is clear each man can keep from entering hell by removing anything that will keep him from accepting Christ as Savior.
Matthew 7:13-14 13Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it.
The straight and narrow leads to life eternal. According to the Calvinist, all will enter eternal life or enter eternal death by predestination alone. If that is true, then no person can “find” the straight and narrow, it is already shown to them. No person has to find either destination, it has been determined for them. If that is so, then these words by Jesus would be a lie, and we know Jesus cannot lie. This passage proves predestination false. God would not tell each person to choose the broad or narrow if Calvinism was true.
Matthew 7:24-27 24Therefore whosoever hears these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25The rain descended, the floods came, the winds blew and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26Every one that hears these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27The rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house; it fell: and great was the fall of it.
One man built his house upon a rock and it was safe from the floods and rain. He made the right choice and became a wise man for making that choice. The other man decided to build his house on the sand. The floods and winds devastated that house and the person became a foolish man.
Both men made the decisions on their own accord. No one made them build on the rock or sand, it was a personal choice. One person decided to build his life on the rock, Jesus, and became a wise man for doing so. This passage by Jesus proves predestination false.
Matthew 8:13 Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee.
Jesus told the centurion his belief would be the outcome of his request. Jesus did not predestinate the outcome, but left it up to the decision of the man. It was based entirely on the man’s own belief or faith. Again, this was a clear choice by man disproving predestination.
Matthew 8:16 When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick.
In the above passage, what is Jesus doing casting out devils if it is predestined for some to have the devils? Where did these guys pick up these devils? If it is predestined for them to be possessed of devils, why would Jesus exorcise them? If a person is predestined to be saved, how can he be possessed by a devil?
It is obvious, Jesus is compassionate and not willing that any should perish and all should have a chance to be free from evil. If these fellows were willing to trust Jesus, then he was willing to accept them and assist them. Jesus also healed everyone that was sick. Again, this emphasizes the compassion of Jesus, that he wanted everyone to be whole.
Matthew 9:2 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed; Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.
Jesus saw the faith of those bringing the sick man, and the faith of the sick man. Jesus did not imply anywhere that he was forcing faith on the sick man. Jesus saw “their” faith. It was an act of faith by individuals of their own accord.
Matthew 9:11-13 11When the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why does your Master eat with publicans and sinners? 12When Jesus heard that, he said unto them, they that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. 13But go you and learn what that means, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
All men are born in sin, thus all are sinners. God’s foreknowledge knows who will accept him and who will not. Those that will accept him might be categorized as the righteous by some, or whole, that need not a physician. Since there is no “time” with God (He is eternal), then those that accept his Son are whole from the beginning. If that is so, then they were never sinners.
However, if all are sinners from the beginning, then God is calling sinners to repentance. Those that accept Christ become whole after they accept Jesus. So, no person is predestined to be whole. Every one would start out as a sinner and become whole only through their faith in Jesus and the grace of God.
Since God has foreknowledge, he could not possibly be calling the righteous (whole) to repentance. He would have to be calling everyone to repentance and those that respond become whole. This passage also shows the impossibility of predestination.
Matthew 9:22 Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. (Again, Jesus said the person’s own faith made them whole.)
Matthew 9:28-30 28When he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus said unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. 29Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. 30And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straightly charged them, saying, See that no man know it.
Jesus told the group of blind men if they believed he could make them whole, they all answered yes, they believe. Jesus opened their eyes according to the men’s own faith. In all of these cases, Jesus never once told them he would give them the faith, but always stated it was their faith.
Matthew 10:32-33 32Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33Whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
A choice must be made by each individual as stated here by Jesus. If someone denies Jesus, it is of their own accord. Jesus will not deny himself. If Jesus forces a man to deny him, then the force comes from Jesus and he would be denying himself. If he forces them to confess him before men, then there is no real confession other than coming from Jesus himself. He would be only affirming his own confession from a forced action. That would make Jesus false and a liar. We know he cannot lie and is truth. Another verse proving predestination is false.
Matthew 10:39-40 39He that finds his life shall lose it: and he that loses his life for my sake shall find it. 40He that receives you receives me, and he that receives me receives him that sent me.
Jesus said a person makes a choice to follow his own path, gives up his own life to follow Jesus. Jesus does not force this on anyone. A man either gains life or loses it on his own decision.
Matthew 11:28-30 28Come unto me, “all” ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Jesus opened the invitation to all, “ALL ye that labor and are heavy laden. They have to take the yoke of Jesus and place it on themselves. Jesus does not force the yoke on them. Proves predestination is false.
Matthew 12:31 Wherefore I say unto you, all manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
Blasphemy is basically the final rejection of Jesus via a person’s action toward the Holy Ghost. We know the Holy Ghost is the person of God that convicts and deals with man. Jesus has sent the comforter to deal with man. All men are dealing with the wooing of the Holy Ghost along with the wooing of Satan.
When a person gets to the point that he hates the wooing of the Holy Ghost and vainly tells the Holy Ghost to leave him alone, the Holy Ghost will do just that. The person has in effect cursed the Holy Ghost, not with words, but with his arrogant attitude. The Holy Ghost will turn from him and never return.
The Holy Ghost would not even deal with a person predestined for hell. Yet, those going to hell are the only ones who will blaspheme the Holy Ghost. This action is contradictory in Calvinism. Therefore, blasphemy against the Holy Ghost by those going to hell proves the Holy Ghost was trying to witness to them to keep them from going there. Again, the Holy Ghost would not deal with them if they were predestined for hell.
Matthew 12:35-37 35A good man out of the good treasure of the heart brings forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. 36But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the Day of Judgment. 37For by thy words thou shall be justified, and by thy words thou shall be condemned.
A man will be justified by his own words or condemned by his own words and nothing the Father or Jesus does. If a man is predestined for heaven or hell, his words mean nothing. He would stand before God and be justified or condemned by God’s predestination, not the man’s own words. Proves predestination is false.
Matthew 13:3-8 3He spoke many things unto them in parables, saying, behold, a sower went forth to sow; 4and when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: 5some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: 6When the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. 7Some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: 8Other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some a hundredfold, some sixty fold, some thirty fold.
There is no doubt the sower is Jesus. The seed is sown in all of man. It is sown in both good and bad ground. This means the seed was sown to all. The Gospel of Christ is preached to all and pierces the heart of every man. The heart of man is equated to the soil of the earth. The soil decides if it will allow the good seed to grow or if it will reject the growth of the seed.
The same with man, he will either let the good seed grow into a plant, or he will reject the seed and it will die within himself. It is the choice of man as to what he does with the good seed. Jesus has said, “A man cannot serve two masters, he will love the one and hate the other, or hate the one and love the other”. He will either hold onto his sinful nature or he will allow the good seed to be the master.
Matthew 13:13-17 13Speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. 14In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which said, by hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall not perceive: 15This people’s heart is waxed gross, their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, hear with their ears, should understand with their heart, should be converted, and I should heal them. 16Blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. 17Verily I say unto you, that many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
When men have no faith in the Word of God, they look to themselves for their own works and the pride of their own knowledge. Jesus must be accepted by faith. It is the only way to see, hear, and understand God. If a person is convinced of their own superiority, they see with their physical eyes, but are blind with the spiritual eyes. They also hear with their ears of superiority and consider not the God of heaven. They cannot understand without faith in God as their master.
They see and hear with their physical eyes and ears the preaching of the gospel, but continuously refuse to believe it by faith. There heart becomes hardened over time and eventually dies to the gospel. Jesus said that if they would accept him by faith, their eyes and ears would be opened and they could understand his parables.
Many Calvinists try to use this passage to say these are predestined to be lost. No, it is just another way Jesus has described their pride and rejection of him. Their pride has made them blind and dumb to spiritual things. If at any time, they choose to believe the gospel by faith, their eyes and ears would be opened.
Matthew 14:14 Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.
Jesus had compassion on the multitudes and healed their sick. Is there any doubt, some of these people would choose Jesus and some would not? It says he had compassion on the whole group. If some were created to go to hell, Jesus would have no compassion on them, but his wrath would abide on them. This also proves predestination is false.
Matthew 13:24-30 24The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: 25While men slept, his enemy came, sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. 26When the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. 27The servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? From whence then hath it tares? 28He said unto them, an enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? 29He said, nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. 30Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
In this parable, it is not seed, but wheat and tares. Men’s decisions have been made. Some decided to accept God’s salvation (wheat), while some have rejected God’s salvation (tare). If we try to root out the tares, we might also root out some of the wheat. God said to let them grow to maturity. When the tares are mature, they can then be gathered, bound in bundles, and cast into the fire.
The above parable is not predestination. The passage states that Satan planted the seeds that became tares, so God did not predestinate them to be tares. The wheat and tares came from the two different sowers. Each man decided which of the seeds would be his master.
Matthew 14:28-31 28Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29He said, Come. When Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30When he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31Immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
If Peter belonged to God, which he did by his own choice, his faith was either his own, or given to him by Jesus, according to the Calvinist. If the faith is given to him by Jesus, he never would have lost it and started sinking in the water. He would have walked all the way to Jesus on the water. It was Peter’s own faith.
He did so, until his own faith showed its weakness. He took his eyes off Jesus and began to look at the boisterous waters. Jesus said it was Peter’s lack of faith and his doubt that caused him to sink. This proves predestination is false.
Matthew 14:36 And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: as many as touched were made perfectly whole. [Those made whole touched the garment of Jesus by their own efforts and choice (faith). Those who chose not to touch his garment were not healed.]
Matthew 15:28 Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. (Again, it is the woman’s own faith that determines the results, not predestination.)
Matthew 16:24-27 24Jesus said unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. 25Whosoever will save his life, he shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? What shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 27The Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
It would really take a stretch of the imagination for man to think this verse goes along with predestination. It is extremely clear of man’s own choice.
Matthew 16:22-23 22Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. 23He turned, and said unto Peter, get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: thou savor not the things that are of God, but those that are of men.
Peter had just confessed that Jesus is God through faith. Once his faith is established unconditionally in his mind that Jesus is God, then Peter is confirmed as one of God’s born again children by due to his faith. Peter’s faith came first, then the revelation from God.
Immediately after Peter’s confession and his revelation from God, Peter shows his doubts in the flesh. Even though Peter is saved by his faith, he still has the sinful remains of the flesh which are against God. This sounds more like a man predestined for hell. When Peter began to rebuke Jesus, he was told his actions were satanic and that he did not really understand the things of God.
Three times he denied that he knew Jesus when questioned by the Romans. This is typical of mankind with his freewill; he often makes decisions that are convenient at the time. We see it was a matter of his choices and his free will in following Jesus. He went out and wept bitterly because of his human frailty, but later he gave his life in defense of the gospel and Christ. All of these choices were of his freewill and were not predestinated. There would be nothing in all these actions that would have been worthy of predestination.
Matthew 17:14-21 14When they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, 15Lord, have mercy on my son: he is lunatic, and sore vexed: oftentimes he falls into the fire, and oft into the water. 16I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. 17Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I suffer you? Bring him hither to me. 18Jesus rebuked the devil; he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. 19Then the disciples came to Jesus apart, and said, why could not we cast him out? 20Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: verily I say unto you, if ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, remove hence to yonder place; it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. 21Howbeit this kind goes not out but by prayer and fasting.
Here are some of the disciples who belong to the family of God. If they were predestined to be saved and received their belief from God, why did Jesus scold them for their unbelief? He would be scolding them for a predestined belief from his own Father if predestination was a fact. Then he said “their” belief must be built up by concentration of their minds and subjection of their bodies to fasting. This is definitely another blow against predestination.
Matthew 18:7-9 7Woe unto the world because of offences! It must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! 8Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offends thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. 9If thine eye offends thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.
It is clear; he can avoid hell by taking some actions to avoid it. It is clear man has a choice in his destination.
Matthew 18:3-6 3Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5Whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receives me. 6Whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it was better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
We are told we must have simple faith as of a child to become converted and enter into the kingdom of heaven. A Calvinist says it is automatic. God has decided who will be saved and at the time of God’s choosing would convert the person. Jesus says the person must humble “himself” as a little child. It is an act that must come from the man, his simple faith. It is not irresistible grace forced on the man.
A man is in a humble position and considering accepting Jesus as Savior. He hears someone tell him he cannot be saved unless he has been predestined by God to be saved. The man is already humbled and realizes he is in sin, but he thinks he is not good enough to be selected by God, so he passes up the opportunity. I believe the Calvinist will have a millstone hanged about his neck for this offense. It is extremely possible the offended one could be of his own family.
Matthew 18:11-14 11The Son of man is come to save that which was lost. 12How think you? If a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them is gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goes into the mountains, and seeks that which is gone astray? 13If he finds it, verily I say unto you, he rejoices more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. 14Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
We know all of man is gone astray due to the loss of his spiritual soul. “There is none that is righteous, no not one”. Jesus says the Father in heaven is not willing that any should perish, no not one. So, the Holy Ghost is trying to woo the lost to salvation, not a person who is not lost. This is definitely not predestination.
Matthew 19:21-22 21Jesus said unto him, If thou will be perfect, go sell that thou hast, give to the poor, and thou shall have treasure in heaven; come and follow me. 22When the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
Jesus did not predestinate the rich man to hell. He told the man to get rid of his wealth and choose salvation from God. If the Rich man had chosen Jesus over his riches, he would have had a different destination. A man must get rid of anything that stands between his acceptance and denial of salvation. It is strictly a choice of man.
Matthew 19:29 Every one that hath forsaken houses, brethren, sisters, father, mother, wife, children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
A man must choose to make Jesus (God) his top priority in order to attain salvation. God does not make (predestine) man to deny himself and choose God.
Matthew 21:21-22 21Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. 22All things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
This is another passage where Jesus tells the people if they exercise “their” faith, and do not doubt they will be enabled to reach their goal. It is always an action required by the person.
Matthew 21:31-32 31Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, the first. Jesus said unto them, verily I say unto you, that the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. 32John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.
Another action required of man and not attributed to predestination. The publicans and harlots believed Jesus through their own actions of faith. The others witnessed the same Gospel, did not act on faith, and, of course, did not repent.
Matthew 22:1-14 1Jesus answered and spoke unto them again by parables, and said, 2the kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, who made a marriage for his son, 3sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. 4Again, he sent forth other servants, to tell them which are bidden, behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
5They made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, and another to his merchandise: 6The remnant took his servants, entreated them spitefully, and slew them. 7When the king heard thereof, he was wroth: he sent forth his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 8Then he said to his servants, the wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. 9Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. 10So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
11And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 12He said unto him, friend, how came thou in hither not having a wedding garment? He was speechless. 13Then said the king to the servants, bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 14Many are called, but few are chosen.
This is typical of the call into the kingdom of heaven. His servants told the Israelites the wedding was furnished and the marriage was about to take place. The Israelites refused to come to the wedding feast of the son, so the king told his servants to go out into the highways and bid as many as will come. This crushes predestination, “as many as will come of both the good and the bad”.
There was one at the wedding without a wedding garment. Wedding garments were free and provided for all who accepted the invitation. A person who chooses to come to God will receive a new soul (robe of righteousness). In the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve rebelled, they were naked, lost their robe of righteousness.
This man was naked at the wedding feast and stood out from the rest of those dressed in a robe of righteousness. Jesus said, “Bind him and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth”. This probably represents those who try to get into heaven on their own merits.
The Israelites were the elect and chosen (few) for the wedding but turned down the invitation. The call went out to all who would listen, and many came to the wedding even though the chosen (few) did not come. This is another passage that completely destroys the false doctrine of predestination.
Matthew 25:1-12 1The kingdom of heaven is likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2Five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3The foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4The wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6At midnight there was a cry made, behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7All those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
8The foolish said unto the wise, give us of your oil; our lamps are gone out. 9The wise answered, saying, not so, lest there be not enough for us and you: go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10While they went to buy, the bridegroom came; they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 11Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12He answered and said; verily I say unto you, I know you not.
If predestination is the criteria, there would be no need to call five foolish and five wise virgins. There would only be the elected for heaven or elected for hell. The oil in their lamps represents the Holy Spirit. The five wise had chosen to have their lamps filled with oil earlier. The five wise did not tarry, but accepted oil for their lamps.
The five foolish virgins refused the salesman’s pitch (preacher) for oil. They went to get oil (Holy Spirit). It was too late the door was shut. Jesus is the door and would not let any more in.
The Rapture came, and they were left behind. Was this Predestination? No, the oil was available to all; the foolish virgins did not want the oil when it was available.
Matthew 25:24-30 24He which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strewed: 25I was afraid, and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. 26His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knew I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strewed:
27Thou should have put my money to the exchangers, and at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. 28Take the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 29Unto every one that hath shall be given and he shall have abundance; from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. 30Cast the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
He was given the ability to do well; he had a talent, but refused to use it for God. God did not leave him with an excuse. He said, “You knew what to do; you just refused to do it”.
Matthew 25:33-40 33He shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35I was an hungry, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungry, and fed thee, or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in or naked, and clothed thee? 39When saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40The King shall answer and say unto them, verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Each person chose to serve God or to reject God according to their own choice and selfish desires.
Matthew 25:41-46 41Then shall he say unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 42I was an hungry, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungry, athirst, a stranger, naked, sick, in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45Then shall he answer them, saying, verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. 46These shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
This is the other side of the coin. These chose to ignore God’s offering of salvation, rejected the free gift of eternal life and had no fruits to show for their efforts.
Matthew 26:50 And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come?
Jesus had chosen Judas as an apostle and called him friend. Jesus is righteous and can do no wrong. He would not predestine Judas for this event and hell, and then call him friend. Jesus knew Judas would betray Him; he knows the end from the beginning. Jesus called him friend and Judas had a chance of redemption until he hung himself.
Matthew 26:75 Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, before the **** crow, thou shall deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.
Peter chose to follow Jesus, yet he denies Jesus at a critical time during these events. Jesus did not force Peter to deny him. Jesus knew Peter would deny him and had already told him this. Nothing was predestined, all was choice by Peter. It was the foreknowledge of Jesus which allowed him to know Peter would do this.
Matthew 27:3-5 3Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests, 4saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. They said, what is that to us? See thou to that. 5He cast down the pieces of silver in the Temple, departed, and went and hanged himself.
Judas knew it was his choice and action. Judas knows he has betrayed a good friend. He went out and hanged “himself”. All of the choices were made by Judas.
Mark 3:28-29 28Verily I say unto you, all sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies whosoever they shall blaspheme: 29He that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation.
There is no reason for anyone to die in their sins as the debt has been paid. If a person is to be born again of the Spirit of God into eternal life, he must, by faith, accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior. The Holy Ghost is the persona of Jesus that does the wooing. If a man rejects (blasphemes) the Holy Ghost, he shall not enter the kingdom of God. We see it is by choice and not by predestination.
Mark 6:10-11 10He said unto them, in what ever place ye enter into a house, there abide till ye depart from that place. 11Whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the Day of Judgment, than for that city.
“Whosoever” shall not receive them will be worse off than those of Sodom and Gomorrah. This means there was a choice. Some chose to receive them and some rejected them.
Mark 6:38, 42-44 38He said unto them, how many loaves have ye? Go and see. When they knew, they say, five, and two fish. 42They did all eat, and were filled. 43They took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fish. 44They that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men.
The bread came from God, was blessed by God, and offered to “all”. Jesus is the bread of heaven. Enough bread was left to feed anyone who desired to eat of this bread. Jesus died for the sins of “all”, but many refuse to accept the free gift of salvation, the bread of life. It is choice by man, not predestination.
Mark 7:15 There is nothing from without a man that entering into him can defile him: but the thing which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.
What comes out of a man defiles him. If it were predestination, it would be what is forced into him that defiles him. It is a man’s own attitude and rejection of salvation that condemns him.
Mark 10:21-23 21Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, one thing thou lack: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, give to the poor, and thou shall have treasure in heaven; come, take up the cross, and follow me. 22He was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. 23Jesus looked round about, and said unto his disciples, how hardly they that have riches shall enter into the kingdom of God!
Jesus loved the rich man, yet he refused Jesus because of his riches. There is no way Jesus could love him and predestine him to hell. The man made his own choice of being rich over salvation.
Mark 8:34-38 34When he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. 35Whosoever wills to save his life shall lose it; whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.
36What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37What shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 38Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
This was also in the Matthew discussion, but another angle is added. Jesus says “whosoever” which means anyone. Also, the person has to “will” to come after Christ of his own accord as shown in verse 34. The person has to deny himself. If he is predestined, he does not have to deny himself, he would be made righteous by God’s forced actions on him. No self denial would be necessary to take up his cross and follow Jesus. The path would be laid out for him already.
Jesus asks the unbeliever what the profit is it if they gain the whole world and lose their own soul. What shall they give in exchange for their soul? If they have been predestined for hell, Jesus would not be asking these questions? There would be no point.
How can a person predestined for hell be ashamed of Jesus and his words, if he is predestined to be as his is born. Why would Jesus say he would be ashamed of them at the judgment when he predestined them to hell? Again, there is no point. The only thing that is reasonable is each person has his own choice and there is no predestination.
If the gift of eternal life is a free, why force a person to take a free gift? If a person was predestined for salvation, it would be forced on them. They could not help being saved. It would not be a gift, but a forced action against their will.
Mark 11:22-26 22Jesus said unto them, have faith in God. 23Verily I say unto you, that whosoever shall say unto this mountain, be removed cast into the sea, and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he said shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he said.
24I say unto you, whatsoever things ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. 25When ye stand praying, forgive, if ye ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26If ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
Jesus says if a person has his own faith, and does not doubt he can move a mountain. Jesus says the person must believe before it can happen. Predestination says faith is forced on the elite.
If you are predestined to be righteous, why do you need to ask the Father to forgive all your sins? He is going to do it anyway. Predestination is completely false.
Mark 16:15-16 15He said unto them, go ye into the entire world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; he that believeth not shall be damned.
Why preach the Gospel to “every” creature? Those predestined to be saved will have it forced on them. He that believeth not has already been forced to not believe. He is damned anyway, so why preach the gospel to him?
Luke 2:10-11, 13-14 10The angel said unto them, Fear not; behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. 13Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
The angels announced great joy to “all” people, peace, and good will toward men. If some are predestined to hell, the angels would have been lying by declaring great joy to all people and good will toward all men.
Luke 2:29-31 29Lord, now let thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: 30mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31which thou hast prepared before the face of all people. (This salvation is prepared for “all” the people. It is not predestinated for a few.)
Luke 3:6 “All” flesh shall see the salvation of God. (“All” are aware of this salvation and has the chance to accept it.)
Luke 3:7-14 7Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8Bring forth fruits worthy of repentance, and do not say, we have Abraham as our Father. God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 9The axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree which brings not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
10The people asked, “What shall we do then”? 11He said unto them, he that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise. 12Publicans came to be baptized, and asked “master, what shall we do”? 13He said unto them, exact no more than which is appointed you. 14Soldiers demanded of him, “What shall we do”? He said unto them, do violence to no man, accuse no one falsely, and be content with your wages.
Each could be saved if they honored God. If predestinated for hell, John would not have told them to repent. All wanted to know how to be saved. John told each one to repent according to their rebellion. Each could repent and be saved, but must make a choice by faith to follow God.
Luke 7:9 When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, “I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel”. (Jesus marveled at this man’s own faith.)
Luke 7:48-50 48He said unto her, thy sins are forgiven. 49They that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, who is this that forgives sins also? 50He said to the woman, thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.
Jesus forgave her sins and attributed it to her faith, faith he had given her. Jesus called it the woman’s own faith.
Luke 8:11-15 11This is the parable: The seed is the word of God. 12Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. 13They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. 14That which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. 15That on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
In predestination, there would not be seed by the way-side for the devil to take out of their hearts. They would never have the seed of the Gospel “planted” in them.
Jesus would not plant the seed if he had already predestined them for eternal damnation. “God has no pleasure in the death of the wicked”. “God is not willing that any should perish”. He plants the seed so each individual can choose the good seed of wheat or the bad seed of the tare.
Jesus planted good seed in a man and it was choked out by the pleasures of the world. Where is predestination? Man chose the pleasures. Jesus planted the good seed in everyone. Satan planted the bad seed in everyone. Each man has a choice of the good seed or the bad seed. Man cannot serve two masters; he must reject or accept one or the other.
Luke 8:45-46, 48 45Jesus said, “Who touched me”? …Peter and they that were with Jesus said, Master, the multitude throngs thee and presses thee, and you asked, “Who touched me”? 46Jesus said somebody touched me; I perceive that virtue is gone out of me. 48He said unto her, daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.
Jesus knew virtue had gone out of him. Her faith gave her access to the salvation of Jesus, and Jesus knew righteousness had been transferred to another person. Jesus said, “It was her own faith that made her whole”.
Luke 9:56 The Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. (Calvinism states God made some men for destruction to glorify his name. Jesus clearly proclaims this is not true in this verse.)
Luke 11:9-13 9Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 10Every one that asks receives; he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened. 11If a son ask bread of any his a father; will he give him a stone? If he asks a fish, will he give him a serpent? 12If he ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13If ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him.
Even though this passage appears to be about those already saved, it enforces a fact that God expects men to do their part in receiving from him. An unsaved person can only ask God to forgive him and save him. We know Jesus plants the seed of salvation in every man’s heart.
Luke 12:20-21 20God said unto him, fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? 21So is he that lay up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. (This person made a choice to serve himself instead of God. Jesus makes it clear; the man chose riches over God.)
Luke 13:1-5 1There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2Jesus answering said unto them, suppose ye these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? 3I tell you, nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. 4Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? 5I tell you, nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Jesus told this group that they were sinners above several other groups that God had to eventually destroy because of their hardness against him. He told this group the same fate would become them if they did not repent. This is a clear indication they had the choice to repent and avoid destruction.
Luke 14:16-24 16He unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: 17and sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, come; for all things are now ready. 18All of them began to make excuses. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. 19Another said I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. 20Another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.
21So that servant came, and showed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, bring in hither the poor, the maimed, the halt, and the blind. 22The servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. 23The lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. 24For I say unto you, that none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.
The nation who was elected refused the invitation. God then sent his servants out everywhere and urged all who would accept to come to the great feast. God wanted to fill his house and no person would be rejected. This dispensation is to anyone who would accept the invitation of Christ. Those accepting will be raptured to the great feast. We go in ahead of the elect. Israel will go in last during the Tribulation and the 1000 year reign. The first shall be last, and the last shall be first.
Luke 15:7, 10 Likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repents, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. 10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repents.
All are born in sin due to the fallen state of man. Calvinist will tell you only certain ones are predestined to be saved, and the remainder will be sent to hell for God’s glory. The angels in heaven rejoice over every sinner that repents and accepts the free gift of salvation.
Luke 16:30-31 30He said, nay, father Abraham: if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31He said unto him, if they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
The rich man in hell wants Abraham to warn his brothers. Abraham tells it correctly. All men have a choice. If men harden their hearts against God in their own freewill, it makes no difference regarding who is sent to them, they choose against God.
Luke 17:17-19 17Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. 19He said unto him, arise, and go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.
There were ten lepers cleansed of their illness, but nine did not accept the teachings of the Gospel of Jesus. Only one of the ten returned to Jesus for salvation. He chose to accept the Gospel of Jesus. Jesus said his faith had made him whole (complete). Jesus treated all ten exactly the same, no predestination.
Luke 18:9-14 9He spoke this parable unto certain which trusted themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11The Pharisee stood and prayed with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortionists, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
13The publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: every one that exalts himself shall be abased; and he that humbles himself shall be exalted.
God, I am a Calvinist and I thank thee that thou chose me to be saved. There can be no other reason than I deserved it. I am glad, I am not like those whom you created unworthy and have been condemned to hell. They deserve to go there, because they were not made as wonderfully as I am.
Yes, the above is a spoof to show the foolishness of predestination. Those believing they were predestined to be saved are exalting themselves. They believe God chose them over others. God says that those who humble themselves shall be exalted. God did not predestinate them to be humble; they humbled themselves, a clear free choice.
Luke 18:41-42 41What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? He said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. 42Jesus said unto him, receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.
Jesus asked the man what he needed from God. The man asked Jesus in faith, believing Jesus could perform the miracle. Jesus did so, and told the man his own faith had also saved him.
Luke 19:27 But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.
The enemies of Christ chose for Christ not to be their ruler. Jesus makes this clear in the above verse. Jesus wanted to reign over them as their God, but they chose to reject Jesus as their ruler. This is another verse that destroys predestination.
Luke 23:39-43 39One of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, if thou be Christ, save thyself and us. 40The other answering rebuked him, saying, dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 41We indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. 42He said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou come into thy kingdom. 43Jesus said unto him, verily I say unto thee, today shall thou be with me in paradise.
Here are two identical cases. One malefactor admitted that both of them were the same and deserved to die. One chose to reject Jesus, and the other accepted Jesus Word that he was God. Both made their own choice as to how they would react to the crucified Savior. Since the conditions were the same to both, it could not have been predestination.
Luke 24:46-47 46Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day: 47That repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Then he commanded the Gospel be preached to “all” men (nations) so they would have the choice to repent for the remission of their sins. This is the same as go into the highways and hedges and bid all to come.
John 1:7, 9, 11-12, 29 7The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light that all men through him might believe. 9That was the true Light, which lights every man that cometh into the world. 11He came to his own people, and his own received him not. 12As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. 29The next day John sees Jesus coming unto him, and says, behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world.
Verse seven uses the words “all men”. “Jesus is not willing that “any” should perish”. Verse nine says the light comes to all men. Man has the choice to come to this light or remain in darkness.
Jesus came to the Jews and they rejected him as the Messiah. Any Jew who did believe in him gained salvation and eternal life. Jesus took away the sin of the world. There is no reason for anyone to be condemned to hell if Jesus took all sins upon himself. Condemnation would follow only those who refused to accept the gift that brings them a new spiritual soul. With every man seeing the light, those who refuse the light do so by choice; they are not predestined to darkness.
John 3:33-36 33He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. 34He whom God hath sent speaks the words of God: for God gives not the Spirit by measure unto him. 35The Father loves the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. 36He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; the wrath of God abides on him.
God has given all things into the hands of Jesus. Anyone who believes on Jesus and accepts his testimony of the Father attests that God is true and Jesus is God. Jesus has the power to grant that person the gift of eternal life. Anyone that rejects the testimony of Jesus shall not have eternal life and the wrath of God is on that person as soon as he rejects Jesus.
You can’t accept something that is predestinated, and you can’t reject something that is predestinated. It is pure force with no acceptance or rejection.
John 4:10 Jesus answered and said unto her, if thou knew the gift of God, and who it is that says to thee, give me to drink; thou would have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
Jesus had not predestined the woman to be saved. He stated emphatically that he would give her living water only if she wanted it and asked for it.
John 4:13-14 13Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinks of this water shall thirst again: 14But Whosoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
Jesus told the woman that he had the power to give her the Holy Spirit of God which would secure her soul for eternity. He said, “She would never thirst again”. Jesus did not pour the water down her throat, he said she must take it and drink it. Again, the person has the choice to drink of the spirit of God or reject it.
John 5:5-8 5A certain man was there, which had an infirmity for 38 years. 6Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been a long time in that case, he said unto him, wilt thou be made whole? 7The impotent man answered him, sir; I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: while I am coming, other steps down before me. 8Jesus said unto him, rise, take up thy bed, and walk.
Jesus did not predestinate this man to be made whole. He asked him if he wanted to be made whole. Jesus offered and the man accepted.
John 5:21-29 21As the Father raises up the dead, and quickens them; the Son quickens whom he will. 22The Father judges no man, but committed all judgment unto the Son: 23That all men should honor the Son, as they honor the Father. He that honors not the Son honors not the Father which has sent him. 24Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that hears my word, and believes on him that sent me, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; is passed from death unto life.
25Verily, verily, I say unto you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. 26The Father hath life in himself; he has given to the Son to have life in himself; 27and has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of man. 28Marvel not at this: the hour is coming, in which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
God judges no man and has not predestinated any to heaven or hell. He has left the judgment of men up to Jesus. Why? Jesus was tempted in like manner as all men. Jesus has placed the free gift of eternal life before all men. Jesus has the power of life in himself for anyone who chooses to believe.
Jesus quickens a man and raises him from spiritual death with a new spiritual soul. Verse 25 clearly states the spiritually dead will hear the voice of Jesus and those who respond will have eternal life. Those that hear and refuse to respond will be damned.
John 5:38-47 38Ye have not his word abiding in you: whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. 39Search the scriptures; in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 40Ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. 41I receive not honor from men. 42I know you, ye have not the love of God in you. 43I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.
44How can ye believe, which receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that cometh from God only? 45Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuses you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. 46For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: he wrote of me. 47If ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?
All are saved the same way since the fall of Adam, by faith in the Messiah, Jesus. Many were looking for the Messiah and had faith he would redeem them one day. They chose to trust in God and live the best they could in faith. Others did not believe, nor care if a Messiah ever came. They were self indulging, cared for their selves; when Jesus came, they did not believe, nor trust in him, they had already chosen their master.
Jesus told them, you do not have his word abiding in you, or you would have been glad to see me. He says to them, “ye will not come to me, that ye might have life”. If they had believed Moses, they would have believed Jesus. They had already made their choice of rejecting the Messiah
John 6:32-40 32My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33The bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and gives life unto the world. 34Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. 35Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; he that believeth on me shall never thirst. 36But I said unto you, that ye also have seen me, and believe not. 37All that the Father gives me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
38I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. 39This is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. 40And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which sees the Son, and believes on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
In verses 32-33, “God gave his only begotten son, so that “all” (world) could have eternal life. Man makes a choice; he must come to God through Jesus. Jesus is both the fullness of the “Word of God” and the fullness of man. God has given all to Jesus (Christ), so those who receive the “Word of God” unto salvation in Jesus are given to Jesus. Since Jesus is both fully God and fully man, he as Christ must quicken the believers with his Holy Ghost into eternal life.
All those who receive the “Word of God” through the preaching of the gospel are given to Jesus and are under his care. All that come to Jesus, through the Word of God are secure in the promise of Jesus and his quickening power to baptize them and seal them with the Holy Ghost. Seeing Jesus in verse 40 is by faith for those who choose to believe. It is still up to man to believe by faith or reject the Word of God.
John 6:63-65 63It is the spirit that quickens; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. 64There are some of you that believe not. Jesus knew from the beginning who believed not, and who should betray him. 65He said, therefore said I unto you that no man can come unto me, except it was given unto him of my Father.
Jesus is speaking to those under the law. They have either accepted Jesus or rejected him by faith under the old dispensation of the law. Jesus is aware of those who have already rejected him. Most of mankind tries to reach god-ship on their endeavors and desire to be like God without worshipping God. God always provides the plan of salvation for all dispensations. No person can come to Jesus unless he accepts him as Lord by faith through the “Word of God”.
John 7:16-17 16Jesus said, my doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. 17If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
Jesus states once more that the Words are from the Father (Word of God incarnate in Jesus). Verse 17 says every man must make his own choice (will) to believe the Words of God. As other scripture states, this is only known by man’s faith or rejection.
John 7:37-38 37In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, if any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
Jesus said the man would have to take action. He must thirst after this water (spirit), come by faith, and drink of this spirit. Man cannot sip the spirit or taste of the spirit and be saved, he must drink it. If it was predestination, the water (Holy Ghost) would be forced down the person; he would not take it freely and drink it.
John 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. (This means a person has a choice of not dying in their sins).
John 9:35-39 35Jesus heard they had cast him out; and when he found him, he said unto him, dost thou believe on the Son of God? 36He said, “Who is he, Lord that I might believe on him”? 37Jesus said unto him, thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talks with thee. 38He said, Lord, I believe, and he worshipped him. 39Jesus said, for judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.
This was the first man ever healed who was blind from birth. He had been healed of physical blindness, but was still dead spiritually. He knew the Messiah was to come, and he had faith in God, but had not met the Messiah in worship. When Jesus asked him if he believed on the Son of God, the man wanted to know who he was that he might believe on him. It showed his desire to meet the Messiah. Jesus then said, “I am”.
The man immediately believed, and worshipped Jesus as God. Here is a great truth of the Gospel Jesus taught in verse 39. Those who admit they are blind and need the Savior will receive sight. Jesus will restore their spiritual sight and remove their spiritual blindness.
Those who say they see clearly and don’t need the help of God remain in darkness. As a non-believer continues to reject the light of Christ, they eventually lose all spiritual sight and become eternally lost to God. Again, Jesus came into the world as a light that shines in darkness so all can have access to the light of God. A choice must be made to go to this light or reject this light.
John 9:40-41 40Some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, are we blind also? 41Jesus said unto them, if ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, we see; therefore your sin remains.
Jesus answered them, “yes, because of their unbelief. It was not predestination that made them blind; it was their sin of unbelief. The man who had received his physical sight was willing to ask Jesus for help. Who is he Lord that I might believe on him?
John 10:9-10 9I am the door: by me if any man enters in, he shall be saved, shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10The thief cometh not, but for the steal, kill, and destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Jesus is the door to eternal life. A person must open any door he wishes to enter. This door must be entered by faith. The notice on the door says, “I am, and you must believe that I am”. The door will only open when you walk through it by faith. It takes an action of faith by man. God does not drag you through the door.
John 11:25-26 25Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26Whosoever lives and believeth in me shall never die. Believe thou this?
The Calvinist will try to make a person believe the lost are dead to God and cannot have faith or believe. They deny the power of God’s Word which penetrates every man’s heart. Jesus has stated above, even though you are dead, if you believe in this Gospel that penetrates every man’s heart, I will resurrect you from a spiritual death and you shall be born again. There is no predestination, only choice in this passage.
John 12:25 He that loves his life shall lose it; and he that hates his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. (No predestination: a man chooses a life in Christ over his own, or rejects Christ by choice.)
John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men unto me. (This states Jesus draws “all” men unto himself. Most reject him.)
John 15:25 This cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, they hated me without a cause. (Those who go to eternal damnation, choose to do so. They were not predestinated to this fate. If so, they would have a cause to hate Jesus.)
Acts 13:38-39 38Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39By him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the Law of Moses.
Verse 38 states Christ is preached to men and brethren (inclusive of all) the gospel for the forgiveness of sin. Verse 39 does not imply predestination, only that those that choose to believe are justified. Those who reject Christ are not justified.
Acts 13:46-48 46Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, it was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. 47So hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou should be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. 48When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
Those who reject the Gospel of Jesus judged themselves unworthy of eternal life. God did not predestinate them unworthy, it was their choice. Who are ordained to eternal life? Those, who choose the free gift of eternal life were ordained (set aside) from the beginning of the world to be saved through faith in Christ. The predestination is in the method, not the individuals.
Acts 16:27-34 27The keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. 28Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, do thy-self no harm: we are all here. 29Then he called for a light, and sprang in, came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, 30and brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31They said, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shall be saved, and thy house.
32They spoke unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. 33He took them the same hour of the night, washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. 34When he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with his entire house.
The keeper was not predestined into choosing Christ. When he was given a choice by the preaching of the gospel, he chose to accept Christ as Savior by faith.
Acts 17:25-31 25…He gives to all life, and breath, and all things; 26And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth… 27That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: 28In him we live, move, and have our being; …we are also his offspring.
30And the times of this ignorance God…commands all men every where to repent: 31…He will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; …he hath given assurance unto “all men”, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
All men have the ability to seek God, because he is not far from any of us. Man is the offspring of God. All men are of one blood and under the same condemnation unless we repent of our sins and believe in the only salvation available to man, Jesus. God commanded all men everywhere to repent.
Romans 1:18-26 18The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19That which may be known of God is manifest in them; God hath showed it unto them. 20The invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21When they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23and changed the glory of the un-corruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things. 24God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their “own” hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves: 25Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections:
Romans 1:28-32 28Even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Verse 18 shows that unrighteous men make their own decisions. God did not make them reject the truth and hold to unrighteousness, they held to unrighteousness. Verse 19 clearly says unrighteous men have the knowledge of God in them. God shows to them his righteousness. Verse 20 follows this up and states each man born is without excuse for refusing to choose salvation. They have clearly rejected it by choice.
They knew God, but were unwilling to give God the glory that was due him according to verse 21. The longer they refuse God, the more hardened their heart becomes. This is the way the Gospel affects many, it mellows some hearts in that they do not reject God’s Words. Those who reject God’s words continually become more hardened in their heart until they eventually cross the line and God gives them up. The Bible says, “God will not always strive with man”. God realizes they are set against him.
We strive with the lost trying to help them. Often, we see they do not care, and the Holy Ghost tells us to discontinue witnessing to them. It may be too late with them. It is also possible, we cannot help them, and God will send someone else to witness to them.
They become more hardened and further from God. They think of themselves as wise, but God calls them fools. They grope in total darkness, because they refuse to come to the light of God.
Romans 2:5-6, 11 5Thy hardness and impenitent heart treasures up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; 6who will render to every man according to his deeds. 11There is no respect of persons with God.
Verse 5 tells us each man makes his own decision to reject salvation. In verse six, it is specific, God renders to every man according to his own deeds. Then in verse 11 it is clear, God does not predestinate each man’s fate.
Romans 3:10-12,23 10As it is written, there is none righteousness, no, not one: 11There is none that understands, there is none that seeks after God.12They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 23For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.
Calvinists will falsely state some were born to hell and some to heaven. Again, here we see not one person in this world was born to be righteous. All were identically and equally born in sin.
Romans 5:1-5 1Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3Not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation works patience; 4patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5hope makes not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
This passage mirrors Ephesians 2:8-9 where we are told that we are saved by grace, through faith. First, we know that God first loved the world; secondly we access grace by exercising our faith; and thirdly Jesus quickens us with his Holy Ghost and applies his salvation (grace) to us and births us into the kingdom of God. As verse 5 states, we are given a new heart of love when we are born again of God’s grace.
Romans 4:17-25 17(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickens the dead, and calls those things which be not as though they were. 18Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, so shall thy seed be. 19Being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb:
20He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. 22Therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. 23Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
Here is the short synopsis of Abraham and his faith and how his faith attained the same righteousness as we receive, when we place our belief in Jesus. It was Abraham’s choice to believe. Abraham exercised his faith to know he would have a son when even though he and Sarah had passed the age of conception. Abraham also had faith in the promise of God that Isaac would have many children even though Abraham was willing to offer him as a sacrifice.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
What are wages? We know it is the payment for works. A person who experiences the second death, eternal damnation, has earned it; it is his payoff or wages. God did not predestinate men to hell; they earned it by their works. The person who becomes a Christian cannot earn salvation. It is a free gift of God, but must be accepted. Free gifts are not forced on another person. A person must accept a free gift willingly or reject it. The earning of death by sinning, nor the offer of a free gift to all by God comes under the principal of predestination.
Romans 10:8-11 8What say it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9if thou shall confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shall be saved. 10With the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11The scripture says, whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
In verse eight, the ability to have faith is in each man’s mouth and heart. It is stated earlier in Romans by the following verse: Romans 1:19-20 19Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shown it unto them. 20For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Verse 9 says “if”, it does not declare that God has predestinated some men to confess in order to be saved, only “if” a man chooses to believe and confess. Also, a person must believe in his heart. Man controls his own heart. All of his actions of good and evil come out of his heart.
Romans 5:6, 8, 12, 15-19 6…Christ died for the ungodly. 8God commended his love toward us that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 12Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, death by sin; and death passed upon all men, that all have sinned. 15But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. If through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 16Not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.
17If by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) 18Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19As by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
Verse 6 clearly states Jesus died for the ungodly. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God, all are ungodly. The Calvinist state Jesus died for only the elect and not for those God had predestined for Hell. Verse 8 states this is not true but Jesus died for “all” who have sinned.
Verse 12 tells that Adam allowed sin and death to come into the world to “every” person. In verse 15, we see Jesus has made it possible for all to have a choice to be redeemed from their lost condition
Verses 16 & 17 reaffirm that Adam caused sin to be on all, but Jesus salvation will make those who choose him even more blessed than before the fall. Verse 18 is very clear that by Adam all mankind came into sin, by Jesus the free gift of eternal life is available for every man born (came unto all men). Do not be confused by the word “many” used in several verses. We know everyone will not accept the free gift of salvation, and we know everyone will not reject this free gift.
Romans 8:24-30 24We are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man sees, why doth he yet hope for? 25 If we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. 26Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered. 27He that searches the hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because he makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29Whom 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. 30Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
Verse 24 states we are saved by hope. Hope is faith. If God predestinates us to salvation, then we do not have hope in our hearts, we have the spiritual eye of faith forced upon us. If it is forced upon us, then we do not hope, we are assured and see clearly that God has forced this faith of the spiritual eye on us.
Verse 26 and 27 are not for the lost, but the born again only. We have the Holy Ghost indwelling in us only after we have been born again. Verse 27 clearly states the spirit makes intercession for the “saints”, the born again. Everyone is called to accept Christ according to his purpose, no one is excluded. However, only those who accept this calling are those who love God. All things will work to the good of those who accept this calling according to God’s purpose.
Verse 29 has nothing to do with God predestinating individuals to be saved or to go to hell. Verse 29 opens with the statement that God foreknew all who would choose to accept his Son as Savior. God knows the end from the beginning and knows who will and will not accept the Christ. The predestination is the conformity to his Son. All who choose to accept Christ will be born again of his Spirit and will be conformed to his image.
Verse 30 merely states that all who chose to accept Jesus would be saved by God’s grace (God’s plan of salvation) which consists of these various parts of the plan: he called them, he justified them, and he glorified them. The lost were also called, but rejected the free gift and were not justified, nor glorified.
God’s predestination is basically this, if you accept my Son, you are predestined to be taken to heaven in the person of “Jesus”. If you reject my Son, you are predestined to be cast into the Lake of Fire.
Romans 8:31-39 31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifies. 34Who is he that condemns? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is raised again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Verse 32 uses the word “all”. Jesus was the redemption for all as shown in John 3:16 and other verses. There is nothing here to infer predestination other than a word found in verse 33 “elect”. It is the misuse of this word that causes the confusion. God has elected from the foundation of the world for all who would choose Jesus to be conformed to his image and saved through his grace.
Romans 9:10-16 10Not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; 11(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calls;) 12It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. 13As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. 14What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. 15For he said to Moses, I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion. 16So then it is not of him that wills, nor of him that runs, but of God that shows mercy.
God does not lie and does not contradict himself. A passage of scripture that appears to be in opposition to a given message throughout the Bible must be researched to find the reason for the difference. Opposing verses are always found to be misunderstood or taken out of context.
Often, a person reading scripture has one thought while the scripture is describing another. Some Bible passages are shadows of far more important issues. Such is the birth of Jacob and Esau. Jacob became the father of Israel, the elect race of God to produce the Savior. This prophecy came true, and Esau (Edomites) became subservient to Jacob. Normally, the younger would serve the elder.
Freewill is dominant in the Bible. Paul merely stated any act of God would be righteous. He does not accuse God of predestination, but states God can do anything without questioning. Does the preponderance of scripture suggest God makes one person for destruction and another for honor? No! Most scripture strongly states the freewill of man.
God knows the end from the beginning. When a man has been conceived, he is born into a world where he is an enemy of God. God cannot interfere with man’s decision to accept or reject Jesus by faith. Even though God knows the end from the beginning, he will not intercede in a man’s free will decision.
God hates unrighteousness and loves righteousness. The wrath of God abides on each man unless he attains righteousness. The only righteousness available is from the Holy Ghost of Jesus when a man accepts Jesus by faith. Verse 15 does not say God predestinates anyone to hell. It merely states God can have mercy and compassion on whomever he will.
Jacob had faith in God was imputed unto him for righteousness. Esau evidently rejected God and was never born into the kingdom. God had predestined that all who chose to love him and his Son would be elected to eternal life through Jesus. Those who reject God, remain in unrighteousness. God is alpha and omega. Time to us is eternity to God.
God loves those who choose his Son (elect) from the beginning of the world. Why? He knew they had chosen his Son in their lifetime. Those who rejected him always remained with the wrath of God on them from the beginning. This is difficult to understand, as we have a beginning and an end. We are bound to time. God is eternal and present at every point in man’s time frame.
If God loves someone when he attained righteousness, then God loved him from the beginning. God has no time limitations. If a man rejects God when he is 40 years of age, then God’s wrath was also on that man from the beginning because God has no time limitations. This is one of those things that are almost impossible for man to understand. However, we must believe by faith. God does not interfere with man’s choice.
Romans 9:17-18 17The scripture says unto Pharaoh, even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might show my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. 18Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardens.
In Exodus 4:21-23, God foreknew what Pharaoh would do before he sent Moses. He told Moses that Pharaoh’s heart would be hardened by God’s actions and that God would slay the firstborn of Pharaoh in order to finally break him and make him let Israel leave.
A close look at verse 17 indicates that God allowed this man to reach the authority of a Pharaoh, not that God predestinated him to wickedness. It is stated in Exodus that God hardened Pharaoh’s heart, but Pharaoh also hardened his own heart (Exodus 8:15). Even when God removed a plague because of Pharaoh’s plea, he still hardened his own heart.
We look next at Moses’ first encounter with the Pharaoh. Exodus 5:1-2 1Afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, thus said the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness. 2Pharaoh said who is the LORD that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD; neither will I let Israel go. (Pharaoh admitted at the beginning that he would not obey God, did not know God, and would not let the people go.)
After the first encounter, Pharaoh not only rejected the plea of Moses, he placed more labor, hardships, and afflictions on the people of Israel. Now, we see many more exchanges between Moses and Pharaoh. In some cases it states God hardened Pharaoh’s heart, in one he hardened his own heart, and another his heart was hardened. The lesson from this is that all verses do not say God hardened his heart, and there is a reason.
God was not hardening Pharaoh’s heart to make him a wicked person or condemning him to hell, he was hardening Pharaoh’s heart against Moses to let the people go from Egypt. God knew just the things for Moses to do and say that would make Pharaoh bend his neck and resist Moses request to let the people go. Now we must consider how God hardens a man’s heart or softens a man’s heart.
We will switch from the conflict between Moses and Pharaoh to one between God and man. God makes it rain on both the good and bad. If it rains on the earth, it has different effects according to the soil. Good rich soil absorbs the rain and makes things grow. Clay soil causes the rain to run off it and it becomes harder over time. The sun shines on rich soil which has taken in the rain and it produces fruit. The sun shining on clay soil causes it to become like brick and no fruit comes from it.
When the gospel or Word of God is preached, the dust of the earth (man) reacts to the preaching according to the condition of the soil or the condition of the heart. It is similar to Pharaoh; he had already become wicked through the inventions of his own heart and the quest for power. When God started pouring out his pleas and plagues on Pharaoh, God knew Pharaoh’s heart and knew it would only make him madder and more hardened toward Moses and the children of Israel.
It was not until God slew the firstborn of Pharaoh and all of the Egyptians that Pharaoh finally conceded to letting Israel go. He did not repent, but finally ceded to the fact that he could not win against God. So as God had stated to Moses, God used a wicked, powerful Pharaoh, totally defeated him and showed the glory and power of God. Later God completely destroyed his army to show God’s glory and power.
This story has nothing to do with predestination of anyone to heaven or hell. It merely shows the power of the almighty and became a story to be shown in the Bible as an example to others who would try to resist God and his people.
Romans 9:19-28, 30-33 19Why does he find fault? Who hath resisted his will? 20Who are you that reply against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, why hast thou made me thus? 21Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor? 22What if God, willing to show his wrath, and make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:
23that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore, prepared unto glory, 24Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? 25I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. 26It shall come to pass where it was said unto them, ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God. 27Esaias also cried concerning Israel, though the number of the children of Israel is as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: 28He will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.
30What shall we say then? The Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. 31Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. 32Wherefore? They sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. They stumbled at that stumbling stone; 33It is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumbling stone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
We have submitted enormous amounts of scripture proving man’s own choice determines his fate. Paul is heavy hearted because Israel has rejected Christ. The eyes of the Jews are temporarily blinded until the times of the Gentiles are over. The Tribulation and the 1000 year reign will deal with the Jews. Though Israel is blinded for a purpose, it is the nation and not individuals.
Paul is not saying God has predestinated some to hell and others to heaven; he is saying God has this right. The created cannot question the creator. God always produces righteous acts.
God has set Christ before the world as salvation for those who accept and a stumbling block for those who reject. Jesus is a stumbling block to the Jews. Why? They thought they were chosen to be rulers of the world. They did not see themselves as servants to others in the kingdom. When Jesus came in a manger to die for the sin of the world, they were crushed. They were looking to be the elite of the world. There real purpose was to bring Christ’s salvation to the people of the world.
Those, who are vessels fitted for destruction, have made themselves unfit vessels by their rejection of God. Those to whom God will have compassion and mercy have gained the attention of God by their acceptance of Christ. God hates wickedness, but is compassionate and merciful to those who seek the light.
God had predestinated that all who accepted Jesus would be glorified in him and all who rejected him would receive his wrath as stated in verse 23. Even though the Gentiles were not his elect, Gentiles who choose his Son as Savior would be called his people. The Jewish nation which rejected Christ would have a remnant that would choose Jesus as Savior and would be called his people.
In verse 31 and 32, it is clear salvation is still attained by faith in Christ. Though, it seems this scripture is stating predestination, it only states God has the sovereign right to do as he pleases with his creation. From the sum of all scripture, we see clearly that God has given man freewill to choose his own destination by acceptance or rejection of Christ.
Romans 10:13-15 13Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? How shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? How shall they hear without a preacher? 15How shall they preach, except they be sent? It is written, how beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
In the original texts the word whosoever means all. This passage is written backwards. Jesus sends, the apostles. The Holy Ghost of Jesus sends the preachers. The preachers present the gospel. All here the gospel and either accept or reject it.
Romans 10:17-18 17Then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 18I say, have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
Preachers, teachers, and witnesses, with the Word of God (Holy Ghost) dwelling in them, present the gospel to those in darkness. The seed of the gospel is planted in the hearts of every man as stated in the first parable of Matthew, chapter 13. The light of Christ is preached to the whole world and man must accept this light or reject it.
Romans 11:4-7 4What said the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. 5Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. 6If by grace then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. 7What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeks for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.
God has reserved (protected) 7000 Jews (remnant) at that time who had accepted God by faith in the coming Messiah according to the election of grace. The election of grace is automatic to those who choose Christ by faith. God has made it clear that works cannot save a person; a person must be saved by God’s grace through man’s faith in this promise. Those who will not come by faith, and reject Christ, become blinded and hard hearted over time.
Romans 11:8-36 (In the remainder of this chapter, Paul is stating that the nation of Israel has been blinded to Christ as the promised Messiah in order for the gospel to be given to the Gentiles unhindered by the Jews. Once the dispensation of the Gentiles has run its course, God will open the eyes of Israel as a nation, and they will come to understand that Jesus is the promised Messiah.
God has allowed all of the Gentiles who believe in his son by faith to be grafted into the vine. Also, during the Tribulation and the 1000 year reign many millions of Jews will believe by faith and be grafted back into the vine. Also, since the ascension of Jesus, and preaching of the gospel, there have been many Jews that accepted Christ as the Messiah and Savior.
1 Corinthians 1:1-4 1Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, 2unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: 3Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 4I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;
Paul does not say he was saved apart from his freewill; he states he was called to be an apostle by the will of God. Verse 2 says we become saints by calling on the name of the Lord through faith. We have the same opportunity to attain resurrection into eternal life by the same faith exhibited by Jesus.
1 Corinthians 1:21 After that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. (The simplicity of salvation is that anyone who uses their freewill to believe the promises of God and his son will receive the free gift of eternal life.)
2 Corinthians 4:3-4 3If our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
In verse 4, the explanation is given as to why the gospel blinds the wicked. They will not believe by faith, and Satan has blinded them. If they would believe by faith, they would be saved by the light given unto them.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19 18And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
This passage states that God was in Christ (incarnate) and reconciling the “world” to himself. God was not predestinating some, but his attempt was to reconcile the whole world.
Galatians 1:15-16 15But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, 16To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood.
At first, this might seem to be predestination of salvation, but it was only predestination of a calling to be an apostle. Paul had to agree to follow Christ by faith just as the other apostles. Acts 9:6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?
It is clear in this passage that Paul accepted Jesus as Lord and followed him by faith when he asked Jesus, “What would you have me to do”. Jesus knew Paul had a good heart, but was misguided by his previous teachings. Jesus knew the end from the beginning and knew Paul would not reject the call as an apostle of Jesus.
Ephesians 1:4-7 4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved, 7In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.
This is not predestination of any man to receive salvation, nor to exclude any others from the same salvation. God set up the plan before the foundation of the world. The total plan is this: we accept Jesus by faith, and salvation (grace) is applied to us. The only part of this that has been predestined is that Jesus would be the object of our faith and our salvation. We choose God with our freewill and then the predestined grace is provided in Christ and resurrects us into eternal life.
It is for the pleasure of God and his will that he have a people to love him. God wants our love, but cannot force us to love him. He makes the offer and we choose his salvation in his Son by faith. It would be a forced action by God on us if not for our freewill. Unless we chose to love God, it would amount to God loving himself through the forced action.
Ephesians 1:11-13 11In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of his own will: 12That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise.
We were predestinated to become heirs with Christ once we trusted in him by faith. Verse 12 makes it clear we “first” trusted (faith) after we heard the gospel. How do we access this predestinated salvation (grace)? Once we accept by faith, we are sealed with the Holy Ghost for eternity.
Ephesians 2:4-10 4God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5When we were dead in sins, he has quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Yes, all men are dead in their sins, but all have the knowledge of good and evil innate in their beings through Adam’s partaking of the forbidden fruit. Every man born into the world has a certain amount of light given to him so he can choose to accept or reject Christ. This is the light of Christ as shown in John 1:9 this is the true Light, which lights every man that cometh into the world.
We also know that every man has a chance to accept Christ and none are predestinated above another to attain eternal life in Christ. The following passage tells us that no man has an excuse, but has the ability to accept Christ as God. Romans 1:19-20 19Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. 20For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.
It clearly states that a man has access to God’s grace through his faith. The word “it” in verse 8 does not refer to faith, the word “it” refers to the formula or plan of salvation. Also, “that” does not refer to faith.
The scholars have examined this passage with a fine tooth comb and have verified that “it” (touto) is neutral in the original Greek Text for this passage and “faith” (pistis) is feminine in this passage. The word “it” cannot refer to the word “faith”. Even in the English language, and our understanding of salvation, we realize the phrase “it is the gift of God” must refer to grace over faith, but it really refers to the plan or formula for salvation. We know for sure grace is the free gift of God. Thus, the word “faith” would be the last word in the verse that would be the object of the word “it”. The word “that” (kai touto) is also neutral and does not refer to a feminine faith (pistis).
The Calvinists claim God gives us the faith. There is another problem with claim. God does not have faith, nor needs it. God speaks and all comes into existence. God is sure and has no faith to give man. Faith is a trait of man.
Jesus had faith, but Jesus was also fully man as well as fully God. It was the faith of the Son of man (Jesus) who was in obedience to the incarnate Word of God in Jesus.
2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 13We are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 14Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul states the fact that all who choose to accept Christ by faith (born again Christians) were “elected” by God to have their salvation “through sanctification” of the spirit of truth who is Jesus. When a person accepts the free gift of salvation in Christ, Jesus will quicken (sanctify) us with his Holy Ghost and seal us unto eternal life in Christ.
1 Timothy 1:12-16 12I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry. 13Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14The grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 15This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
Paul makes it clear that Christ enabled him (applied the new birth to him), but we already know that Paul had to accept this calling and enablement by faith (God had counted him faithful). He knows he was the chief sinner, but he did it in ignorance. He really wanted the truth and when shown the truth by Jesus, he immediately said, “Lord what would thou have me to do”?
Yes, Jesus predestinated that Paul would be an apostle, but he foreknew Paul’s heart and faith. Paul was already true to God, but did not have the correct knowledge regarding Jesus. When he was told of this correct knowledge, he readily accepted the calling of Christ.
2 Timothy 1:1-3 1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus 1to Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 3I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day.
Paul served God and had a pure conscience toward God from his early days under his forefathers. He had accepted God by faith years before his encounter with Christ, but he had never met the person of Jesus. As soon as Jesus introduced himself to Paul, Paul immediately accepted Christ by faith and accepted the election to apostleship.
2 Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.
Again, the calling is according to God’s plan of offering grace (free gift of eternal life) to all people. This plan was predestinated and set up before the world began, but the plan also includes that a man must choose to accept this free gift of Christ as Savior by his own faith.
2 Timothy 2:10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
Since Paul was a Jew, he could have been referring to the elect nation of God, that their eyes would be opened accept the Messiah. The elect are also those who choose to accept Christ and are elected into eternal life by Christ through their faith. They were elected according to their faith to be saved by Christ.
2 Timothy 2:19-21 19Nevertheless the foundation of God stands sure, having this seal, The Lord knows them that are his. Let every one that names the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 20In a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; some to honor, and some to dishonor. 21If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.
It is true that the lost are vessels of dishonor to God and the saved are vessels of honor to God. However, each person determines their relationship to God by their acceptance or rejection of his Son, Jesus. Verse 21 confirms this.
Titus 1:1 21Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; 2In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began.
We see the same comments that we only become the elect through our own faith in God and his Son. Jesus was predestinated before the world began to be the salvation of all who chose to believe.
Titus 2:11-14 11The grace of God that brings salvation hath appeared to all men, 12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world, 13looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; 14who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Grace hath been presented to all men. We are taught by the gospel that we should deny unrighteousness and choose righteousness (Christ).
Titus 3:4-7 4After that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost, 6which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior; 7that being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
The love of God is presented to man (mankind). It does not come by our works, but by our faith. We then receive his grace (salvation) through this faith under his merciful plan. This grace (salvation) regenerates us from death into eternal life by the indwelling of the Holy Ghost. We become heirs of the kingdom by the new birth.
Philemon 4-6 4I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, 5Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; 6That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
Paul states that Philemon loves Jesus and has faith in him. If it was forced upon him by Predestination to have faith in, and love Jesus, it would amount to Jesus loving himself instead of Philemon’s choice.
Hebrews 2:3, 9 3How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him. 9We see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
It is obvious; each person has the choice to reject the free gift of salvation. Verse 9 states that Jesus died for all men which precludes predestination
Hebrews, Chapter 11 (This whole chapter is full of statements regarding many of the Old Testament saints who obtained salvation by their own faith in God. They chose to serve God because they loved him, not because they were predestined to salvation).
James 2:5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? (God elects those who choose his son by faith and love. This confirms choice and rejects predestination.)
1 Peter 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. (This verse clearly tells us that a born again Christian is called the “elect” according to the foreknowledge of God and not due to predestination.)
1 Peter 1:5-9 5who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
We are eternally secured by the power of God through our faith in Christ. Our faith does not perish like the most precious metal (gold), but it does fluctuate according to our own discipline and susceptibility to temptations. Our faith is tried (exercised) to make it stronger and to prove to us that God is sufficient for our life. If faith was predestined to us by God, there would be no reason to have trials of our faith. If it was given to us by God, it would be perfect and need no maturity.
Our faith matures by trials, but God’s grace which has secured us for eternity need not be proven. His eternal saving grace is the most sure things in all of God’s creation. His grace is perfect and sufficient.
1 Peter 2:8-10 8Jesus is a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 9Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: 10Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
Paul is the main apostle to the Gentiles, while Peter is the main apostle to the Jews. This book of 1 Peter is sent to the elect (Jews) by Peter. So do not get confused of his many references to the elect of God in the books written by Peter. It is clear by the statements throughout this passage that Peter is writing to the Jews. The Bible states that Jesus is a stumbling block to the elect (Israel).
It is clear that they were a chosen generation, priesthood, holy nation, etal. The Calvinists cannot use this scripture for their false purposes. Yes, Israel was predestined to the nation to present Christ to the world, but these scriptures do not present predestination of people to be condemned to hell, nor elected to salvation.
2 Peter 1:1-4,10 1Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ: 2Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 3According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 10Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.
Some scholars believe Peter opened the salutation of this book to those of the Gentiles who had received salvation the same (like precious faith) as the Jews that were saved by having faith (believing) in Jesus as the promised Messiah and Savior. His salutation included all the blessings of God and Jesus who is the power of our salvation (grace). He explains that we have become partakers of divine grace by our faith, believing the great and precious promises of God and Christ. Through our faith and God’s grace, we have escaped the corruption that is in the world.
We are aware that many Jews cast their lots with the believers in Christ and abandoned the old concepts of the law, but they not really born again at this time. It is the same in the churches of today, there are many who have professed, but do not possess salvation because they never sold out to Christ, and have not been born again. Many times, the apostles warn these types of people in the church to continue in the faith and they will eventually see the truth and will be born again.
However, we are aware that many of these become apostates, decide they want no part of this faith, and leave the church and the Christian surroundings. Verse 10 is such a warning or urging for these to continue in the faith to make their election in Christ secure by being born again of the Spirit of Christ. This picture is represented by the first parable in Matthew, chapter 13.
We also know that verse 10 could represent the born again ones who have self doubt and forget that they have been saved. Those who are born again can never lose salvation, but many often stray from the disciplines of their faith and God’s grace. When they do this, they sometimes think they are not saved any more. These born again ones do not deny God, or Christ, but they have doubts about their security in Christ.
Peter, in verse 10, could well be urging these brethren to be diligent in their studies of the scriptures, their disciplines in Christ’s teachings, their association with other Christians, etal, so that they have no doubts about their salvation. We are also aware that those who exercise their faith to make it stronger are less likely to stray (fall).
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
This is just another of the several verses that state God does not want any man to perish, but wants all to repent and be saved.
1 John 2:1-2 1My 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: 2And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the “whole world”.
These verses state that Jesus died so that every man in the world may have a chance for salvation. He died for the sins of everyone and offers the free gift of eternal life in himself to all who will accept it by faith. This passage excludes predestination.
1 John 5:4-5 4For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith. 5Who is he that overcomes the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
We see clearly that this faith is ours and not forced on us by God. We exercised our faith to believe that Jesus is the Son of God.
Jude 1 Jude is the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James: to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called.
The word “called” in this verse is not significant as we already know that all are called to be saved. We are aware that each man has the right to receive the calling of God or reject the calling of God.
Jude 4-7 4There are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. 5I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. 6The angels who kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. 7Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
Those who have crept in unawares are the ungodly that have rejected Christ as Savior. They were ordained (set aside) to condemnation because they denied God and Christ. It is clear they were not predestined to condemnation because of their own acts of denial. This passage also tells how Moses led “all” of Israel out of death and bondage to Satan (Egypt), but all did not go into the Promised Land due to their unbelief. Those that died in the wilderness obtained eternal destruction outside the Promised Land. Only those who chose to enter by faith obtained the Promised Land. The remainder of those died in the wilderness (died in their sins).
All who choose to reject Christ are under a predestined condemnation to the Lake of Fire. If a man will not turn to Christ, he will be used as an example to others of God’s condemnation to the wicked. It is true that Satan and his angels are destined for hell, but they were in heaven and turned against God and all of heaven so they have no chance of redemption.
Father Time
September 2, 2007 at 10:45 am |
Hi Ahsoisee,
Ahsoisee:
Ephesians 1:11-13 11In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of his own will: 12That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise.
We were predestinated to become heirs with Christ once we trusted in him by faith. Verse 12 makes it clear we “first” trusted (faith) after we heard the gospel. How do we access this predestinated salvation (grace)? Once we accept by faith, we are sealed with the Holy Ghost for eternity.
http://ahsoisee.wordpress.com/2007/08/29/freewill-vs-calvinism/
Jim:
The KJV translation of this passage is incorrect. This is not what is expressed in the Greek. The “pro” (before) prefix of the participle “touV proelpikotaV (the ones having before hoped)” in Ephesians 1:12 no more says that we are the first to hope (not trust) in Christ or that we first hoped in Him than the “pro” (before) prefix of the participle “proorisaV (having before ordained)” in Ephesians 1:5 says that God is the first to ordain us to the adoption or that He first ordained us.
Rather, just as Paul says in 1:4-5 that God ordains us to the adoption (the resurrection [compare Romans 8:23-25]) before (pro prefix) we are holy and without blemish before Him (at the resurrection [compare Ephesians 5:27 and Colossians 1:22-23]), likewise Paul says in 1:12 that we hope in Christ (in this life [compare 1 Corinthians 15:19-23]) before (pro prefix) we are for the praise of God’s glory (at the resurrection [compare Romans 5:1-2, 8:18 and 8:23-25 and Ephesians 1:14]).
Neither does Paul say “you also” in Ephesians 1:13 anymore than he says “we also” in 1:11. Rather, he says in 1:7-13, “in whom … in whom also … in whom also … in whom also,” just as he says in 2:21-22, “in whom … in whom also.” The referent of “you” in 1:13 is no more excluded from the referent of “we/us” in 1:11-12 than the referent of “you” in 2:22 is excluded from the referent of “all the building (we)” in 2:21; the referent of “you” is explicitly included in this “building” in 2:19-21.
In Ephesians 1:7-14, what Paul states to be true of all believers (we/us/our) is this: “in whom we (all believers) have the redemption through His blood … in whom also we (all believers) were made an inheritance … so that we (all believers) would be for the praise of His glory, the ones having before hoped in Christ (all believers hoping in Christ in this life before they are for the praise of God’s glory at the resurrection), in whom also we (all believers), having heard the word of the truth, the Gospel of our salvation, in whom also having believed, were sealed with the Holy Spirit of the promise, which is a guarantee of our (that of all believers) inheritance until the redemption (the resurrection) of the possession (all believers), for the praise of His glory (at the resurrection).”
However, in order to make what he is stating to be true of all believers (we/us/our) more personal for the believers to whom the epistle is written (you/your), Paul says “you/your” (the believers to whom the epistle is written) instead of “we/our” (all believers) in 1:13. Thus, “in whom also we were made an inheritance … in whom also we … were sealed with … a guarantee of our inheritance” became “in whom also we were made an inheritance … in whom also you … were sealed with … a guarantee of our inheritance.” Paul can use “we” (all believers) and “you” (the believers to whom the epistle is written) interchangeably in stating what is true of all believers (we) because the referent of “you” (the believers to whom the epistle is written) is included in the referent of “we” (all believers).
Paul does the same thing in Ephesians 2:5-10, where he interchangeably says “you” (the believers to whom the epistle is written) in 2:5 and 2:8, where he would normally say “we” (all believers), in stating what is true of all believers (we).
He likewise does the same thing in Ephesians 2:21-22. Thus, “in whom all the building (we [all believers, the referent of ‘you’ being explicitly included in this building in 2:19-21]) … is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom also we (all believers) are being built together into a dwelling place of God in/by the Spirit” became “in whom all the building (we [all believers]) … is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom also you (the believers to whom the epistle is written) are being built together into a dwelling place of God in/by the Spirit.”
This interchangeable use of “you” (the believers to whom the epistle is written) instead of “we” (all believers) in stating what is true of all believers (we) also occurs in Romans 7:4 and 8:12-15, in 1 Corinthians 6:2-3, in Galatians 4:5-6, and in Colossians 2:13 and 3:4. Peter likewise does this in 1 Peter 1:3-4.
Jim