Predestination is a favourite conundrum for lots of people. But it is difficult only when it is not defined properly (lots of problems are like that). Many people think of it as a kind of determinism. Some as a blue-print for life. But the Bible’s idea is much simpler: it has to do with the destination. Where does God want his people to end up? Where will the train terminate?
Another problem modern people have is that we read it as a question of individual destiny. But in the Bible it is first of all a matter of family destiny. In particular the destiny of the family of Abraham. At least Abraham as the key to the destiny of the whole race.
It has to do with God’s completed purpose for his people. What does he want them to end up like? Where does he want them to end up?
What is the answer? There are many possible answers, but only one that will answer the case. That is, to understand that the great destiny promised to Abraham comes to fulfilment only through one of his descendants. All of the promises of blessing that are to come to the human race though Abraham’s descendant, come though the Lord Jesus Christ. What was predestined for us was predestined in Christ. And the destiny is to be adopted as God’s children through Christ.
The one descendant of Abraham is also the only Son of God. The great destination is to be included in the family of God as sons and daughters along with Jesus. And because of Jesus. The true Son makes it possible for us to be adopted because he redeems us by his blood.
We can think of Christians as people who are saved and forgiven – which is true. But more than this we are people who have been given the Spirit of the Son so that we know we are children and do call God our Father. And who know that we have been included on God’s family as family members – not as solo saints.
Dale