The word predestination has been used and misused so much over the years. In fact, actual denominations have been formed around that one word. Let’s look at Ephesians 1: 3-14 to discuss this question.
The first issue to face asks if it means that those who are predestined are locked into that destiny, or does it mean that there is an option to accept what is predestined ahead for them for eternity?
Verse four tells us that we were chosen in Christ before the foundation of the earth. If there had been an exception to this choosing, it would seem to me that Paul would’ve written an exclusion to this verse saying something like, “we have been predestined even though not everyone has been.”
Verse five says that we were predestined but as adopted spiritual children of God. This speaks of our position in relationship to God. We obtain a the family member status as a right to be called His son according to the good pleasure of God’s will. To me, this means that we have an opportunity prepared for us as an adopted child of God’s.
Verse six informs us the significance of God’s grace is worthy of glory so that we are accepted in him. It is God’s grace that is so remarkable we can become adopted children by faith in Christ.
Verse seven continues the thought by saying we have redemption and forgiveness of sin because of God’s grace that was secured by the blood of Christ. Those who take advantage of the opportunity for redemption and forgiveness of sin (trust) do so because of God’s grace, not because anything that we do our current his favor.
Verses eight and nine speaks of how his grace abounded from God’s wisdom and prudence that was part of his will which at one time was a mystery but now functions according to his good pleasure that he decided within himself.
Verse 10 tells us what awaits our salvation through what Paul calls the dispensation of the fullness of times so that we might be gathered together with Christ of those who have already died and those who are remaining on the earth.
In verse 11 we see the functioning of God’s will as he works everything together making it possible for us to be predestined as adopted children according to the purpose that he had planned which gives us an inheritance in heaven.
Versus 12 through 14 speak of our trusting God. It displays a sequence of events in which after we hear the word of truth we trust God for the good news of our salvation. As a result, our salvation is sealed with the Holy Spirit. It came as a promise of Christ. Verse 14 shares with us the assurance of this inheritance that lasts until our redemption is realized by Christ coming to possess us in his glory.
I know there are people who look at predestination in a different way saying that it means only certain people are chosen by God before their birth for redemption. Neither of these opinions that I have shared with these verses and with this other opinion makes any difference about our salvation because once we realize salvation it really doesn’t matter the doctrine that we follow.
However, the way I look at it is like this. In 1945 the Air Force came into existence. It was already fully functioning when I joined the Air Force as an officer and a chaplain in 1982. The Air Force was not created in 1982 to accommodate me as an officer. Nor was I destined to become an officer just because the Air Force existed. I came into the Air Force that was already existing as a program of the federal government. I became part of that program when I trusted those in the authority who commissioned me and allowed me to wear the uniform of my country.
I was predestined because the Air Force already existed and once I swore the oath I came into that organization. The way I see it, that’s what these verses are talking about. God predestined all those who would trust in him for salvation to become his adopted son. God also made it possible in that adoption that we would have the promise and blessings of eternal life with him in heaven.
When I retired from the Air Force as a Lieut. Col. in 2004, the Air Force did not cease to exist nor did I cease to exist. Many other people have trusted the authorities in this military organization for them also to become part of the Air Force. So, the Air Force program continues to exist in the same way they God’s plan of salvation continues to exist for those who will trust God to become an adopted son. I never retired from the Air Force and stopped being a Lieut. Col. I simply am a retired Lieut. Col. in the same way that I partook of God’s plan of salvation and continue to be his child. I still get mail addressed to Lieut. Col. in the same way I read God’s love letter of Scripture available for me.
Praise be to God for his wonderful plan of salvation that is allows us to be called God’s son!
Christian Writer 