December 27, 2024

It’s hard to wrap our minds around predestination because we don’t want to think that God didn’t choose some people for salvation. This is speculation, but maybe God chose everyone. However, because He foreknew those who would reject Him, the teaching of predestination was made possible. I cannot guess what was on the mind of God in this situation. The Old Testament is full of those who God accepted over others: Jacob over Esau, Isaac over Ismael; there are many others, but those are the ones I could think of off the top of my head. Then, you come to these verses, and it seems to compliment Paul’s teaching on predestination: 

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

Our salvation is by the grace of God. If you had a choice, would that be considered works? Are you deciding for yourself? God doesn’t want you to think that you had anything to do with your salvation to prevent you from being able to boast about being good enough. But what about faith? Faith is hope for the unseen; without it, it is impossible to please God. 

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 

He gave you salvation as a free gift, but now you have to believe it. When the seeds that God sent you grow, He sends the Holy Spirit to strengthen your faith. Even our faith is strengthened by a gift from Him. It is all about God and His grace; you cannot do anything to earn it. This study makes me even more grateful for my salvation.