"We all agree that man does have free will to choose God and follow Him. But I also think the position of Predestination is also biblical. From the verses I read God in His sovereignty has chosen those who have been saved already. Are puny minds can't understand that though until maybe we get to heaven. Can you give some insight into this? Verses to examine: John 15:16; Acts 13:48; Romans 9:15-16; Romans 9:22-24; Ephesians 1:4-5; Ephesians 1:11; Philippians 1:29; 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5; 2 Thessalonians 2:13."
"No one can seek you unless he has already found you." Bernard of Clairvaux
"I can only show you the door, you are the one who has to walk through it." Morpheus, The Matrix
It seems there are actually two questions here. First, there is the question whether predestination has any biblical grounding. Second, if there is biblical grounding for this position, then how does this work with our free will? Before I begin, let me just say this is a massive question that has been hotly debated for hundreds of years (!), so chances are - whatever answer I give will be inadequate and brief. But I hope to point you in the right direction.
1. The 1st question is whether a person's eternal destiny is chosen by God before their birth. In other words, does God predestine people to go to heaven? From the verses you listed, this appears to be the case. That is why there are many that argue for this position. Those who support the doctrine of predestination are called "Reformed" or "Calvinist." Calvinists argue (this is taken from carm.org):
1)Total depravity: that man is touched by sin in all parts of his being: body, soul, mind, and emotions,
2)Unconditional Election: that God’s favor to Man is completely by God’s free choice and has nothing to do with Man. It is completely undeserved by Man and is not based on anything God sees in man (Eph. 1:1-11),
3) Limited atonement: that Christ did not bear the sins of every individual who ever lived, but instead only bore the sins of those who were elected into salvation (John 10:11,15),
4) Irresistible grace: that God's call to someone for salvation cannot be resisted,
5) Perseverance of the saints: that it is not possible to lose one's salvation (John 10:27-28).
The second position stresses the freedom of the human will in salvation. This school of thought is known as "Arminianism." In contrast to Calvinism, they argue (also from carm.org):
1) God elects or reproves on the basis of foreseen faith or unbelief,
2) Christ died for all men and for every man, although only believers are saved,
3) Man is so depraved that divine grace is necessary unto faith or any good deed,
4) This grace may be resisted,
5) Whether all who are truly regenerate will certainly persevere in the faith is a point which needs further investigation.
This blog will not allow me to examine each of the verses you listed in depth, but please listen to this sermon by Calvinist Mark Driscoll (I've also embedded it below). He answers your primary questions; subsequent questions you may have and makes a case for Calvinism OVER Arminianism. The sermon notes, entitled, "Predestination: Duck, Duck, Damned?") can be found here.
2. Your 2nd question: How does free will work with predestination? As you have recognized, human beings are limited and have relatively "puny" minds, so this is mystery (Eph. 1:9). Yet I believe, from the Scriptures, it can be argued that even though God chooses (and therefore) saves us, those who are chosen have a part to play. Listen to what Theologian Donald Bloesch (in his book, Essentials of Evangelical Theology, Volume I: God, Authority and Salvation. Peabody, MA: Prince Press, 1978) says about this issue:
"To give all the glory to God in the accomplishing of our salvation is not to reduce man to nothing. Yet we must also not say that man gets some of the credit for his salvation, that man can help in the procuring of his salvation... Our position is that we must affirm both the sovereignty of grace and the responsibility of believers. The two errors to be avoided are the following: that one is saved exclusively by the work of grace upon him thereby not including or allow for personal faith and decision in the salvific process...the second error gives man a determinative role in his justification so that he virtually becomes a co-redeemer with Christ...Only the person who is transformed by divine grace can make a positive response to God's gracious invitation, but only the one who does make such a response is indeed transformed by grace."
If you're confused, don't fret. This is a doctrine that defies rational understanding. There is no easy or simple answer. All we know is that God, in his sovereign will, saves some people. God predestines some to be saved. The act of saving is absolutely God's work. Yet in order to be saved, a person must - in her free-will - repent of sin, turn to Jesus and love God throughout her life.
Hope this helps.
[Answered by Pastor HM]
