There are some things that the human mind cannot fully grasp. One obvious example would be the concept of eternity. Yeah, you can accept the concept, but if you stop to really think about how something like God or the universe has no beginning or no end you get frustrated. In the example of the universe you might say "well no, it isn't infinite! Eventually it stops, because nothing goes on forever, right?" But then you think about what you just said and wonder, "if the universe were to just stop... what would be beyond it?" The result is that you can understand that it does go on forever, you just can't understand the concept of how it goes on forever.
The same goes for the Biblical concept of having free will and predestination. The two seem to clash. Free will means that you have the ability to choose your path and make your own decisions. Predestination means that you will end up doing things because that is what you are supposed to do. (I know those aren't the best definitions, but that's how I look at them.)
One of the best ways I've heard this concept explained was described to me by my 9th grade sunday school teacher. She said to think of life like a dirt trail. There is one main path, but there are also several other paths that break off of the main one. Those other paths are free will. We have the ability to take any of those paths.. and we do. But eventually, those paths will lead back to the main one. And that is predestination.
Essentially what this means is that even though I can make decisions that get me off track of where I ideally should be, I will eventually end up right where God wants me to be.
The part that gets my poor human brain in a jumble is when I think about this too much and start asking questions that are impossible to answer.
One thing that could be brought up is that since God knows everything before it happens, and we all have a destiny, then does that mean that only certain people are destined to become christians?
Here's what my contemplative mind is coming up with (I'm free writing, so all this is coming to me at this very moment):
We all have the choice to accept or reject Jesus, and God already knows which of us are going to and which of us are not. But in order to have them accept, they must find out first. That's why Christians are told to go out and spread the Word.
Ultimately, it's not that God uses His ultimate power to condemn certain people to hell because He predestined them to reject His Word, but that He allowed them to make their own decisions even though He knew they would never believe.
I like to think of the predestination more as the fact that God is eternal and therefore has no time. He already knows what decisions we will make out of our own free will. He will let us make all of these decisions because He is a just God, and not only that, He will find a way to use our decisions to be part of His plan.
I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, and this is why. Everything that happens is just a chain reaction to some decision that we have made. But because God already knew it was going to happen, He can use the situation to make something good come out of it.
I hope this made sense, I was trying not to jump around too much or repeat myself, but this late at night when I'm tired, I have no guarantees..
This late night epiphany is brought to you by..
Mel
16 comments on I Am Predestined to Have Free Will?
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[SMILE]
[ROLLEYES]
39One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!"40But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? 41We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."42Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."43Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."
If anybody, no matter how they lived their life, repents their sins and accepts Christ in their heart then they will go to heaven.
Luke 12: 10 10And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.
There is only one unforgivable sin and that is not accepting Christ in your heart. And if you think God is some horrible being for giving us all free will and letting those who refuse to believe to go to hell.. try this verse:
2 Peter 3:9 9The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
All He wants is for everyone to believe so they won't go to hell. Is it that hard to accept that God has made it so easy to have eternal life?
[SMILE]
All of us need to accept the fact that where we spend eternity is our decision and responsibility. If we wind up in hell after we're gone, we cannot blame it on God!
For predestination... there are several ways of looking at it... seems to me though that the destination (heaven or hell) was predetermined for those who choose the path they choose. When I look at that verse containing that word, I see that other verse that says, (if I be lifted up I will draw all men to me. [Jesus]) Seems we were all made for heaven, but we won't all choose it. I see that God is Love altogether and that He can not love some and not others, even though they don't choose Him. So, I see Salvation as conditional, but love unconditional.... well. Best wishes on your pursuit. It is very fun to ponder and discover the things He made including more love and concepts. [HEART]