Law is Necessary to Maintain Civility, But it Cannot Change the Heart

Heb. 10:16 (quoting Jer. 31:33) " This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their heart, and I will write them on their minds."

Have you ever thought about all of the traffic laws there are? 25 mile speed limit in residential neighborhoods, 70 mile speed limit on the interstate, no running red lights, no texting while driving, etc. Behind these individual laws there is a great overarching law. "Drive in such a manner that the safety of people and property is insured." And behind that is the great commandment, "love your neighbor as yourself". Now why do we drive 25 miles per hour in residential neighborhoods? Is it because we want to make sure that everyone and everything is kept safe? Or is it because we don't want to get a $150 ticket and points on our driving record?
Jesus talked about observance of law in the Sermon on the Mount When he used the examples of adultery and murder. Yes, the law could force you to comply but it couldn't change the heart. The law might keep you from committing murder or adultery ( particularly because of the death penalty associated with these two laws) but you could still harbor wicked anger and/or lust and the law couldn't do anything about that. Even so, because the hearts of men are wicked, law is necessary in order to maintain civil order. Paul essentially says this in Galations 3:23-25, "Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law."

So what happens if you do away with all of he traffic laws and remove all of the restraints (police officers and penalties)?

Because of the carnal, selfish nature of unregenerate man, absolute pandemonium would result. BUT...what if every single person who got behind the wheel had the divine commandment to love God and their neighbor imprinted on their hearts and minds. What traffic laws would be necessary? I guess you would still need traffic lights. Otherwise everyone would wave the others to go first and nobody would go. (ha ha) But if everyone drove their cars in such a way that they insured the safety of people and property, you would NOT have to spell it out and explain that there is a penalty for violating the rules. People would automatically slow down in residential areas because they know that children and pets may run out into the street. They would realize that it's not safe to make U-turns at some intersections, but it is at others, etc.
I believe that is the point of what Paul said in vs. 25 in Galations 5. Now that faith has come and because that faith CHANGES our hearts and minds (back to Heb. 11:16) We don't have to have it all spelled out for us.
At least this is my take on it. God bless you all.

God Has His Own Plan

Psalm 33:11, "But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations."

One of the most challenging things for me is when I sense that the Lord is really leading me and challenging me to step out in faith, confirmed by counsel of Godly people in my life, and from what I can find in his written word; I step out in faithful obedience and..., everything falls completely apart.

So what happened?
Did I miss God's voice?
Was I just imagining that it was God leading me?

It is always possible that it was wishful thinking of course, but often it has been my experience that I had assumed what the outcome was going to be. I assumed that everything was going to work out into a nice neat little package and I was going to prosper. Maybe God had something different in mind. Rom 8:28 tells us that in all things God works for the good of those who love him and have been called according to his purpose. There's that phrase; "his purpose", not mine. The next verse (29) actually explains that his purpose is conforming us into the likeness of his Son. It doesn't appear that God is nearly as concerned about our circumstances as he is in using those circumstances to glorify himself with that image he is creating in us. For me anyway, it takes trust and faith to a whole new level. We love to hear testimonies of when we obeyed and God made everything work out splendidly. But sometimes the testimony is that everything fell apart but I developed greater faith, trust and patience. We may not like it as much but it seems that it's more likely what God's purposes will bring about. If we will only be obedient. God bless you all.

Journal on Psalm 25

Introduction:
      During the time leading up to Passiontide this year I intended to study the book of Psalms. I guess God, in his providence had other ideas because I got stuck in Psalm 25 and couldn't get past it. This is a Psalm you don't hear mentioned much. It doesn't have the recognition of Psalm 23 or 51, yet as I read through it I saw the rich truths of the gospel expounded on. Themes like grace, mercy, redemption, sanctification and judgment being well articulated 1,000 years before Jesus would bring all to fulfillment.
       What follows is the result of that period of study. I put it together because as it was very enriching to me, I felt that others might benefit as well. It's about 7 pages long but it's broken down almost verse by verse (really thought by thought) so it can be used as a daily devotional. You will notice that a large percentage of the verbage in the verse commentaries are actual scripture. I don't remember where I heard it but I heard of a preacher who said,  "The moment I leave the text of scripture and begin my own commentary, I have embarked on the path towards heresy." As such I have attempted to let God's own word provide the explanations for the verses itself. The less of me, the  better. I  also wrote out most of the scriptures so they would be right in front of you, I did this so that if you read it as a devotional, you would get a fair bit of God's word through it. I would encourage you to look up those verses that are only referenced.
      I should explain the word “Journal” in the title. This paper contains my personal thoughts, reflections, and scripture passages that came to mind as I was studying this psalm. It is not a commentary or an expository teaching.
      There are no copyright restrictions on this journal so if you believe someone else may benefit from it, please feel free to copy, email or otherwise disperse it. My only interest is building the body of Christ. I have no desire to benefit personally or get recognition for myself. (Although  I did put my name on it, but I'm nobody anyway) The only request that I have is that you not alter it. You can always attach your own page if you desire.
      I hope and pray that you find this journal useful and are blessed by it.

Vs.1-2a, "To you O Lord, I lift up my soul; in you I trust, O my God."

      There is nothing or anyone who is truly trustworthy besides the Lord. Isa. 46:9-11,"...I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please. From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do." No one else can make that claim. God's purposes will never fail. That makes him completely trustworthy. To trust in anything other than God is to make an idol out of that thing. This violates the first of the 10 commandments: Ex. 20:3, "You shall have no other gods before me." To place our confidence in something or someone other than God, is to make it our object of worship. Jeremiah says it like this in chapter 17:5, 7, "This is what the Lord says: 'Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the Lord.' " (vs. 7) "But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him."
       In this first verse of Psalm 25, David is not just acknowledging his trust, but when he says: "To you O Lord, I lift up my soul", he is saying that he trusts God enough to commit his very being into the hands of God. God described David as a "man after my own heart" (1 Sam. 13:14; Acts 13:22). Even though by all accounts, David was a total mess, his trust was in God alone.

Vs. 2b-3, "Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come to those who are treacherous without cause."

       This is both a petition and a promise. In vs.2 David asks God that he would never be put to shame nor be crushed by his enemies but in vs.3, the promise is that if a person trusts in God they will never be put to shame. I believe the issue is trust. In our human frailty we have a hard time trusting completely in God. One of the most honest heartfelt prayers I have ever prayed (and regularly pray) is the the prayer found in Mark 9:24, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief." God knows we are but dust and we are frail that's why in Romans 8: 26-27 it says,"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordles groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God."

Vs. 4-5, "Show me your ways Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long."

        This is what God was saying when he called David, a man after his own heart. It's in stark contrast with the Israelites request in Ex. 20:19, "Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die." David asks just the opposite. He doesn't ask God to send someone else to teach him God's ways. He desires God himself to teach him and show him his ways. He also recognizes that God is his Savior. Just by implication, David recognizes that he needs a savior.
        Back to the children of Israel: God grants the people's request and speaks to Moses directly. But in Ex.34:29-35, Moses returns and his face is glowing. It says that the people were afraid to be near him. It's almost comical in a sad sort of way. First, God speaks directly to the people. The people are so terrified that they ask Moses to be the intermediary. Now Moses returns after communing directly with God, and the people don't want to be near him. This is a clear picture of man in his fallen state. From the time of the fall, man has tried to hide from God. Romans 8:7,"The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so." Close encounters with God have always exposed man's sinfulness. Isa. 6:5, " 'Woe to me', I cried. 'I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the almighty.' "Also Luke 5:8, "When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, 'Go away from me Lord; I am a sinful man.' "Thankfully in both of these cases, God bridged the gap and made the way for man to be able to stand before him. But the hostility of the sinful nature is such that, not only do we avoid a direct encounter with God himself; we will avoid people who have had a close encounter with God. (John 15:18-25) Later in this Psalm we will see why David is able to yearn and long to be close to God.

Vs. 6 "Remember O Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old."

        God's Mercy was shown as soon as sin entered the world. Gen. 2:17, God said, "But you must not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die." In chapter 3 we see that they disobey--sin enters the world and judgment comes down on the man, the woman and the serpent. But mercy is also extended. They will continue living and produce offspring. In vs. 15 we have the first prophesy that a savior would come.
       An amazing example of God extending mercy is in the case of Cain murdering Abel. After God pronounces judgment, Cain says in vs. 13, "My punishment is more than I can bear..." This is an amazing statement considering what he had done. He's really getting off easy. Under the law he would have been put to death. God doesn't respond by saying, "You should have thought of that before you killed your brother." Instead in vs. 15, " 'Not so, anyone who kills Cain will suffer vengeance seven times over.' Then the Lord put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him." It is an incredible display of God's mercy that in judging Cain he also places him under his divine protection. Mercy is completely undeserved.

Vs. 7, "Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O Lord."

        This is a prayer we all must pray because all of us are guilty of sin. It is only by Jesus taking our sins on himself that we can be forgiven. This verse has both confession and the plea for forgiveness. Rev. 20:13 says that everyone will be judged according to what he has done. Our hope lies in the fact that God promises that he will not remember our sins. Jer. 31:34,"...For I will forgive their wickedness and remember their sins no more."  1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."  God's goodness and righteousness requires that he must punish sin. (Ex. 34:7) The only way God could forgive us without violating his perfect righteousness was for someone else to bear our punishment for us. Isa 53:6b,"...The Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all".

Vs.8,"Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways."

       In the story of the rich young ruler, Jesus said that only God is good. (Mark 10:18) He is the standard of goodness, perfection, and righteousness. Jesus calls us to come and "learn from me". (Matt. 11:29) This is yet another display of his mercy because, in his justice, he should be punishing sinners. Not instructing them.
       Exodus 34:6-7 is an amazing passage, “And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.”
       Romans 3:22 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
This presents an issue as we see a major tension within the character of God. How can God forgive wickedness, rebellion and sin when his justice demands that he must punish the wicked. It It is literally a case of the “unstoppable force meets the immovable object”. That is precisely what happened at the cross. As vs. 26 in Romans 3 says, “So as to be JUST and the one who JUSTIFIES those who have faith in Jesus. (caps mine)
      Once we are justified begins the process of sanctification. Heb. 10 14, :Because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” He has made (past tense) perfect  those who are being (present tense)  made holy.
       Vs. 8, “Instructs sinners in his ways” speaks of the process of sanctification, ie, “Being made holy”. That can only take place once our sins have been removed. Hebrews 10:16 (quoting Jer. 31:33), “This is the covenant I will make with them after that time says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts and I will write them on their minds.”
      Notice that it is the work that only God can do. We cannot write anything on our hearts or minds. Sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit that God accomplishes in the life of a believer.


Vs. 9,"He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way".

       Humility is not about walking around sheepishly with a forlorn, hangdog look. It's about recognizing your total dependence on God. In Job 40:9-14, God asks Job a series of questions basically asking Job if he can do what only God can do. In verse 14 God says that if Job can, "Then I myself will admit to you that your own right hand can save you." Of course, we can't do any of the things God described in these verses that he can do. Therefore it's our duty to humbly admit and confess that we are completely helpless to save ourselves and are totally dependent on him. This attitude and posture of humility brings God's blessings. He says in James 4:6,"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble"(quoting Prov.3:34) And in Isa. 66:2,"This is the one I esteem. he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.

Vs. 10,"All of the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant."

        I heard a sermon recently that was delivered many years ago by Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones in which he said that the gospel has only one message to the unrepentant--judgment awaits. As this verse states, the lovingkindness of God is to those who repent and place their faith in Christ. In the law, Deuteronomy 28 gives the list of blessings and curses. Blessings for obedience, and curses for disobedience. In Deut 30:19,"This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live." the grace and blessings are for those who walk in humble obedience to him. To walk in disobedience is to invite curses. (judgment)

Vs. 11,"For the sake of your name, O Lord, forgive my iniquity, though it is great."

       Ezek 36:22,"...It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone." The following verses from 23-31 speak of God restoring his people and giving them a "heart of flesh" and his spirit that will cause them to obey (vs.27). Our salvation has nothing to do with us, our desire or any goodness within us. It has everything to do with God glorifying himself. He's doing it for his glory. Romans 9:16,"It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy". This brings back the issue of humility--the confession that we are completely helpless and dependant on God's mercy.

Vs. 12,"Who then is the man that fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him."

       Prov.1:7,"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." The reason the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge is because he is the source of all wisdom and knowledge. He provides education to those who fear him. 2 Tim. 3:16-17, speaks of the sufficiency of scripture. "All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work". Those who reject God are called "fools"(Ps.14:1) Romans 1:28,"Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done".
       We see that in our world today as what was considered unthinkable a generation ago has become the norm. At it will continue to get worse as they continue on the path away from God. It is also imperative now, more than ever, that we follow the example of the Bereans in Acts 17:11 and "search the scriptures daily" to see if what is being preached is true. Matt 24:24,"For false christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect--if that were possible." The key is in verse 25,"See, I have told you ahead of time." We have been warned and told to be vigilant. We have no excuse and we have the knowledge available that we need.  If we will but read our bibles, and take advantage of the Lord's provision of his word.

Vs. 13,"He will spend his days in prosperity and his descendants will inherit the land."

         Again we see blessings for obedience. It's important that we as believers see this verse from a New Covenant perspective. We aren't under the Old covenant which David was when he wrote this psalm. It would be easy to take this as a prosperity message without understanding that the principles of blessings apply to us as Christians, but differently. Heb 8:6,"But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, AND IS FOUNDED ON BETTER PROMISES."(caps mine) The life of a Christian may very well be one of difficulty and hardship (John 16:33) But in Romans 8:18 we are told, "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." The promise of vs.13 is sure. But it's sure fulfillment is in Jesus' eternal kingdom. We must live as Abraham so that, as it was said of him, it may be said of us in Heb.11:10, "For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God."

Vs. 14,"The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them."

      John 15:14-15,"You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my father I have made known to you." When Jesus was asked why he spoke in parables in Matt. 13:11, he said, ‘The knowledge of the secrets of heaven have been given to you, but not to them.’" Add to this John 14:26,"But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." (see also 1 Cor. 2:10)
        Genesis 18:16-33 has the narrative of Abraham talking to the Lord about the impending destruction of Sodom. In vs. 17-19, "Then the Lord said, 'Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do? Abraham will surely become a great nation, and all nations of the earth will be blessed through him. For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him." Also add in Amos 3:7,”Surely the Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets."
      Throughout scripture we see considerable evidence that God makes known his will and purposes, but ONLY to those who belong to him. (caps mine)





Vs. 15, "My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only he will release my feet from the snare."

       Matthew 14:22-36, is the story of Jesus walking on water. Peter got the opportunity to walk on water too. He did well until he took his eyes off Jesus. That's where we get in trouble. We take our eyes off Jesus and look to something or someone else to save us.. David knew that his only trustworthy hope was in the Lord. Acts 4:12, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” This ultimately brings us back to the first of the 10 commandments in Exodus 20:2-3,"I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me." Often this commandment is quoted with only the imperative statement at the end. But it is vital for us to understand that it is God, and only God who saves. Just as he saved Israel from the slavery of Egypt, he alone saves us from our enslavement to sin. (Rom. 6:17-18)
       Amazingly it was only a short time after God gave the Ten Commandments that the Israelites set up the golden calf. In the same way, if we aren't vigilant, we can very quickly lose our focus and begin to look to other people or things for our hope. That is idolatry and violates the first commandment. Only God can save. He is our only hope.

Vs. 16-18,"Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart have multiplied: free from my anguish. Look upon my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins."

     These three verses seem to convey one continuous thought. First notice how David describes himself. Lonely, afflicted, troubled and in anguish. Then notice what he asks of God: "Turn and be gracious", "Set me free", and our ultimate need, "Take away all my sins." Romans 4:28 describes the blessedness of having our sins forgiven, "Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him." There truly is no greater thing than the reality and joy of knowing that we've been set free from the guilt, bondage and condemnation of our sin. That points to the heart of the gospel ( John 3:16-18)
     The passage in Romans is quoted from Psalm 32:1-2. In vs. 3-4 of Psalm 32 David describes the anguish he experienced before he confessed his sin and found forgiveness and restoration. When he threw himself on the mercy of his Lord and savior, he found the blessedness of vs. 1-2.
These verses in Psalm 25 highlight the gospel message. David asks God to be "gracious" (vs. 16), and "take away all of my sins" (vs. 18) 1,000 years before Jesus paid for our sins on the cross, David understood that our salvation comes only by God's grace. (see Eph. 2:5)

Vs. 19-20,"See how my enemies have increased and how fiercely they hate me! Guard my life and rescue me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you".

       Matt 5:10,"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Jesus told his disciples in John 15:18-25 that being a true follower of his would cause you to have enemies. Vs. 20, "No servant is greater than his master. If they persecuted me they will persecute you." The answer to pescution is to take refuge in our Lord and savior Jesus Christ, and to completely trust him. Rev. 2:11b, "Be faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.”  Stephen was the first martyr. He demonstrated this trust in his savior for us by praying as he was being stoned: Acts 7:59, "...Lord Jesus, receive my spirit". Jesus was his Lord and he had completely placed his hope and confidence in him. We must do the same, even if it is while we are giving up our lives for the sake of the gospel. Our place of refuge may ultimately be under the alter spoken of in Revelation 6:9-11, where those who had been slain for their faith are told to "rest a little longer".


Vs. 21, "May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you"

      Jesus is the way the TRUTH and the life". (John 14:6, caps mine) He is the ultimate manifestation of integrity and uprightness and his promises are certain. Phil 1:6,"Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ." No matter what happens, keep your eyes focused on him and trust him. Rom. 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." This doesn't guarantee that the "breakthrough" or the happy ending is just around the corner. It does mean that we can be confident that God has a plan and that he will bring it about and that everything that happens is for a purpose.
       In addition, this verse implies the necessity for us to live lives that are charactorized by integrity and uprightness. Eph. 5:1,"Be imitators of God, therefore as dearly loved children". And Jesus said in Matt. 5:48,"Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." the second chapter of James gives a thorough explanation of how our faith is to be displayed by the way we live. As I recently heard someone say, "Salvation is received by faith, but it is verified by works." Integrity and uprightness come as a result of our faith and trust in Jesus Christ.  While we trust in God for our protection, our obedience leaves us in a position to be able to receive God's blessings among which are protection from our enemies.(Deut 18:7). So while everything depends on God, our living in obedience is the verification that we belong to him.

Vs.  22, "Redeem Israel, O God, from all their troubles".

       At first glance, this verse doesn't seem to belong. Up until this point, David has been talking about what God's redemptive work means in an individual's life. However, everything David has talked about is a reality for all of God's chosen people. Without getting into a major theological discussion about how we Christians should interpret "Israel", suffice it to say, Israel is God's special chosen people. Today, if you are a true follower of Jesus Christ, you are also part of God's special chosen people.
This psalm ends with a prayer of redemption for all of God's chosen people. Not for outsiders.
        One of the main priorities of the early church was caring for those inside the body (see Acts 6:1-7), making sure that the needs of the members was met. Gal. 6:10, "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."
       I have observed that often people, and entire congregations become so involved with outreach and evangelism that they neglect to care for their own; both in material needs and in discipleship." Eph 4.11-13 says, "It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be teachers, to prepare God's people for acts of service, SO THAT THE BODY OF CHRIST MAY BE BUILT UP, (caps mine) until we all reach the unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." The primary job of the church is growing up the body.  Yes, we should be concerned about outreach and missions, but if we are not primarily focused on growing up in Christ Jesus, we won't have anything offer our dying world. When you fly in an airplane you receive some safety instructions. Among those are what to do in case the plane loses cabin pressure. When the oxygen masks drop down, you are to put the mask on yourself first, then help your children or others who need help. The reason is, you have some time before the lack of oxygen becomes dangerous. But very quickly you lose your ability to think clearly. In the same way, we need to make sure that the church body is being cared for and is healthy, before we go out and try to help others bring others in.
      It may seem that I have deviated from this verse but I believe that's what it's really about. Caring for the flock (see John 21:15-19).

      I hope yhat you have been blessed as I was by studying this psalm. I also hope and pray that you will be encouraged to journal through some of your personal bible studies as well. I’ll end this journal with the prayer for God's people, "May God do his redemptive work in the lives of his people. God bless you all.

Predestination and Free Will

Is Everything Planned Out, or Does God simply Know What's Going to Happen?

Does Man Have Free Will?

Can Man Freely Choose To Follow God?

But We are Spiritually Dead. So We Still Reject God.

Predestination (Election)

God Wants  Everyone to be Saved.

What if Adam and Eve Had Never sinned?

Does God Predestine Some to Go To Hell?

Why Is the Doctrine of Predestination (Election) important?

Application for Our Lives.




Eph.1:4-5, "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will."

The concept of predestination is challenging for us because on one hand, we read a verse like this one and it seems to imply that it was already a foregone conclusion that we would be adopted as his children. But then we also see verses like Deuteronomy 30:19 that tells us we have to make the choice to follow him.

"This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.”  

And so a tension exist between the sovereignty of God and man's abiity to choose, either to follow God in obedience, or to reject him.
          

In this essay I am going to try to unpack the concept of predestination (election) as it relates to man's ability to choose, in as simple and short a way as possible. The only actual quotes I am using are from the Bible NIV version. I have gained a lot of the information for this essay from Wayne Grudem's "Systematic Theology", and Jonathon Edwards, "Freedom of The Will". So this will constitute my bibliography. Also all capitalized words are my caps. and done to emphasize the word or phrase I want to highlight. I don't know if that's exactly the right way to acknowledge sources but these are the sources. Hopefully there won't be any copywrite infringements.




 Is Everything Planned Out, or Does God simply Know What's Going to Happen?

This bring into question the reliability of prophesy. If man truly has free will; is it possible that someone might change their mind on a very important event and change the course of destiny, possibly causing the prophesy to fail? Take a look at Jesus' prediction of Peter's denial in Mark 15:30;

"Today--yes tonight-- before the rooster crows twice you yourself will deny me three times." 

Now if Jesus had said, "Peter, I know you. You will crack under pressure and deny me", we could say that it was God's intimate knowledge of Peter's character that made it possible for Jesus to predict what would happen . But what Jesus said required much more than that. There would be three occasions for Peter to have to answer. That means others are involved. What if they change their mind? That would have changed everything. Not only that, but Jesus had to know that there was a rooster nearby and that it would crow once before Peter's denial but not a second time until Peter had completed his third denial. 

For Jesus' prediction to be true, many things had to work together. And what of Judas? What if he had changed his mind and not gone through with his plan? Jesus might not have been betrayed. Keep in mind that all of this was going to happen on this one particular night—Passover.

Because so many things had to work together for God’s plan of redemption to work, all of this gives strong evidence that it was pre-ordained even to the smallest detail.

Which brings us to the first question.

Does Man Have Free Will?

Man has free will in the sense that he can make choices and exercise his choices. That does not mean that the will is self determining. That would make the will is its own cause and effect. Not only is that view incorrect but it would defy logic. The will would be completely out of control. While it may seem that we go along freely making choices at random, if we really make a study of ourselves, we would see that there are determining factors that set very firm boundaries on the choices that we make. This is by no means an exhaustive list but these are some of the major determining factors that direct our will.

    1. Our Inate Abilities.

We make choices based on what we can or cannot do. If we are of sound mind we have a basic understanding of what we are capable of. Because it is impossible for a man to fly by flapping his arms and jumping off of a building, we make the choice not to do that. If someone actually tries it, we correctly assume that the person is insane because they don't have a firm grip on reality.

Another example would be a man or woman going to the gym to workout with weights. While the individual can put as much weight on the bar or machine as they want, they will CHOOSE to put on the amount of weight that is within their ability to lift and still give a proper workout. For me, there would be no point putting 500lbs on the bar because it's impossible for me to lift it. No matter how much will power I have, I cannot lift that much weight. Therefore, if I am going to do a workout, I am going to make a free choice to set the weights or machine within my ability.

    2. Our Knowledge and Beliefs determine our will.

Dr. Todd Mullins, (lead pastor Christ fellowship church, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida) said in a recent sermon, "What you listen to determines your choices." This covers a fairly broad area. We are a product of our background, education and beliefs that we've developed during our lifetime. And we make choices based on these beliefs. We run into problems when we have misinformation. 

A simple example is a person getting up in the morning and listening to the weather report. Depending on the forecast they will make certain choices on how to dress and plan their day. If the weatherman accidently gives the forecast from several days ago, (before a major storm was imminent) this person may make a poor choice, based on the bad forecast. Keep in mind, the person can wear anything they want and plan their day anyway they like. But they will make their decisions on the information they have available.

I find it amusing and I really don't pay attention anymore to the "New Studies That Show...." In my lifetime I have lost count of how many times we've been told, "Coffee's good for you; no wait! Coffee's bad for you!" Nope! It's good. Not so fast...." Through it all, I have continued to get up and enjoy my coffee with a little cream, just to take the edge off. But I'd be curious to know how many folks have stopped, started, stopped, and started again with the “cup-o-jo” in the morning based on the "latest studies". As Pastor Mullins said, and it's true, what we listen to determines our choices.

    3. Our Habits

By habits I am not referring so much to vices (although they definitely affect our choices) as I am to our routines that we perform out of habit. We perform these same things over and over and over again. The only time we don't is if something interrupts the routine.

For example, every day as you drive to work you pass a house where a retired but not elderly couple are always sitting on the porch drinking coffee and reading the paper. One morning they aren't there. Your mind may go to a number of reasons why they aren't there. (Hopefully one of them didn't die during the night) One thing that will not cross your mind as a possibility is that their "free will acted up on them." That's because we know that people don't operate like that. We would think of more logical reasons like, maybe they had to go somehere early or, maybe they had a late night and were sleeping in, etc. In short, we know something caused them to change their routine because we don't actually have "random acts of the will". This is even true in things that we are indifferent to. We still have a pattern for how we make those decisions: Even if it's, "eeny, meeny, miney, moe", or flipping a coin. The will doesn’t act in a purely random way.

    4. Our Preferences (Nature)

This is undoubtedly the most significant determining factor in causing our will to act in the way it does. Our likes and dislikes and things that make us feel a certain way, good or bad, lie at the heart of who we really are as humans beings. One only has to sit in a coffee shop in the morning to see this demonstrated. 

As far as I know, there are four "basic" ways to have a regular cup of coffee. 

Black 

Just cream 

Just sugar 

Cream and sugar. 

As you sit in the coffee shop you will see customers come in and order coffee in any of these four ways. If you come back the next day, you will observe that the same customer ordered their coffee the same way. And they will do it the same way every day. (of course, there is that unusual person that enjoys coffee in several ways and will change it up, but even that is according to their preference). Now we all will agree that they are not forced to order their coffee in a way that violates their preferences. They are completely free to choose to have their coffee the way they like it. And that is key: "The way they like it." While nothing external is forcing them to have their coffee a certain way, they are bound to make their choice based on what they like. Now the simple answer is to say, that's how they like it. The question, "why do they like it the way they do" demands a much more complex answer. That goes to the actual makeup of the individual.
          

Our preferences, which are determined by our nature, actually make up the single determining factor that directs the will. The man or woman who goes to the gym to lift weights does so because they have a desire to do so. The couple who sits on the porch, drinking coffee and reading the paper, do so because they enjoy that as their morning routine. Knowledge and beliefs somewhat have their causes in our upbringing and the culture we were raised in. But to a large degree we believe what we do because we want to. Most of the time, we make choices of where to attend college and what to study based on our personal interests and desire. We attend a particular church (or don't attend) for the same reasons. In this area there are exceptions because sometimes people are coerced into doing things they don't want to do. Then it goes up the line to, either parents or in the case of totalitarian regimes, dictators who enforce their will on you. Then it is their nature and will that's acting.

          

So as we can see; we do have free will in the sense that we are not forced to make choices against our nature: However, "OUR WILL IS CONTROLLED BY OUR NATURE!" We are obligated to make choices according to who and what we are as human beings. Which now brings us to the all important question.

Can Man Freely Choose To Follow God?

 Romans 8:7; 

"The sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, NOR CAN IT DO SO."

 It is completely against our fallen nature to obey God. This verse not only deals with the fact that our nature is against God, but it also explains that is not within our ability to be obedient. In Joshua 24:15, Joshua challenges the Israelites to choose whom they will serve and declares that he and his household will serve the Lord. In vs. 16-18, the people affirmed their decision to serve the Lord as well. Then in vs. 19, Joshua makes a rather surprising statement;

 "You are not able to serve the Lord. He is a holy God; he is a jealous God. He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins." 

Although the people repeated their vow to serve the Lord, the next 1,400 years would prove that Joshua was right. Man cannot obey God.
        

After the flood (and before, Gen. 6:5) God said in Genesis 8:21, that EVERY inclination of man's heart is evil from childhood. Paul tells us in Romans 3:9-12;

"...We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are ALL under sin. As it is written, 'There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, NOT EVEN ONE.' "

There is not a single person who from, his own heart desires to follow God. Eph. 2:1-3; 

"As for you, you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of the sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were BY NATURE objects of wrath."

 There are two things in this passage;

    1. Before God saved us, we were no different than anyone else. 

    2. The word dead in verse 1 (and verse 5) is the Greek word, "nekros". 

The word means...DEAD: Non-living, non-responsive...Dead! We were actually dead. We couldn't respond to the call of the gospel because dead people can't hear. Dead people can't do anything.
         

And so 2,000 years earlier a man by the name of Bildad asked a simple question that would loom until the time of the Messiah. Job 25:4; 

"How then can a man be righteous before God? How can one born of woman be pure?" 

The answer? 

HE CAN'T! It is absolutely impossible. 

It is no more possible for us to choose to follow Christ than for a corpse to get up out of his grave.  Because spiritually, that is exactly what we are: "Dead men walking!" But God can raise a dead man to life, and that is what must happen to us.

Romans 3:23-26, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished--he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.”

When it says we are justified, it means we are declared "legally innocent". Not that we actually are innocent but that (2 Cor. 5:21) "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

But We are Spiritually Dead. So We Still Reject God.

Not only does God have to remove the death penalty by satisfying his holy demands for justice himself in our place: he literally has to raise us to life. 

Eph. 2:4-5; 

"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved." 

Again, the word dead means dead. We were non-living inanimate objects before he raised us to life. How does this happen? Ezekiel 36:26-27; 

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws." 

The word stone means stone. It is hard, cold, inanimate, non-living, and non-responsive. It is a dead heart. Flesh in this case is not refering to carnal. It is contrasting that which is dead with that which is alive. The heart of flesh is soft, warm, and responsive. It is alive. God is actually going to give us life, and that life will "move us to follow his decrees  and keep his laws. 

This new heart will actually compel  us to follow and obey him. Jer. 32:40; 

"I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me."

The word fear is different than in verse 39 although in the NIV it's translated the same way. In 39 it's in the verb form but in 40 it's the noun form of the same word. The King James version says that he will “put his fear” in us so we will not turn away from him. That is the true biblical meaning of "once saved; always saved". Those who have been truly saved will not turn away.

In John 3:3, 

"Jesus said, 'I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." 

And in John 6:44, 

"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him...." 

The word "draw" is the Greek word "Helko". It means to pull or draw. It's the same word in John 21:6 & 11, refering to hauling in the nets full of fish. It never means to lure or entice. It literally means that God is pulling us toward himself. 

Eph. 2:8;

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God." 

This affirms the same concept that even the faith we now have in Jesus is something that he placed in us. God, in placing a new heart in us, even gives us the faith we now have in Jesus Christ. This is further stated in Heb. 21:2; 

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith." 

Notice that it does not say, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the OBJECT of our faith." He is the source of our faith.
         

I've spent a lot of time on this section about how our salvation is accomplished because I wanted to establish a firm foundation that every single aspect of our salvation is accomplished by God through Jesus Christ. There is no "divine weave" in which we cooperate with God. The fact that we can freely choose to follow Jesus is only because he replaced our dead heart  With a living one.

Predestination (Election)

The best way to handle this is to quote the section from Romans 9. But first I want to go to Romans 8:29; 

"For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters." 

Some hold to the view that this verse is saying that God knew which ones would respond to the gospel and those are the ones who are predestined. This verse can be understood that way as a stand-alone verse. It could also be understood to mean that God knew which ones he was going to put the new heart in. (regeneration). The former view negates God having to recreate us in order that we would have a nature that is willing to follow him in obedience.
           

This next section of scripture in chapter 9 is rather lengthy and it makes very clear that we make absolutely no contribution to our salvation (esp. vs. 16);

"...Rebekah's children and one and the same father, our father Isaac. Yet before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad--in order that God's purpose in election might stand: not by works but by him who calls--she was told, 'The older will serve the younger. Just as it is written, ' Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.' What shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! For he says to Moses, 'I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.'It does not, therefore depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy. For the scripture says to Pharoah: ' I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.’  Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden. One of you will say to me: 'Then why does God still blame us? For who resists his will?' 'But who are you O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?' Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?' "

A couple of things really stand out. One is verse 16, "It does not therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy." If you look back to the account of Jacob and Esau back in Genesis (ch. 25ff) you see that Jacob was no perfect little angel. He took advantage of Esau's hunger to get the birthright, and then deceived his father into giving him the blessing. But that isn't why God chose Jacob. It says he did it so his purpose in election might stand. It's all because of God's mercy. But it's also clear that God doesn't save every one.
        

That leads to another interesting point in this passage. The concept of predestination (election) is hard to grasp for a number of reasons. One of them is that there exists a tension between God's sovereign choice and our responsibility. Paul anticipated the objections that people would have to election in vs. 19, "One of you will say to me, "Then why does God still blame us?  For who resists his will?" That is the argument that everyone who objects to this view has made. If it's already been determined by election who will and who will not be saved, where does that leave us. Paul's answer is that it's not for us to question God. God is the creator and he can do as he wills.
          

This is actually the whole point of the book of Job. If you read the book, in the beginning you see a "righteous" man who truly feared God and shunned evil. He is blessed tremendously by God with fabulous wealth and a great family. Suddenly, everything is taken away. Job has three friends who try to tell him that he must have committed somemajor  sin for God to have punished him. Job claims, and rightly so, that he had done nothing specifically to warrant God treating him this way; even alluding that God was being unjust. At the end of the book God finally shows up and asks Job a large number of questions that Job has no answer for. 

The point was that, yes, while Job had committed no specific sin that justified his blessings being taken, he had done nothing on his own merit that obligated God to bless him. When God blesses someone it's because of his grace, not because we deserve it. As someone said, God blesses us in spite of ourselves, not because of ourselves.

God Wants  Everyone to be Saved.

"Who wants all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth." 

1 Tim 2:4

"...not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

2 Peter 3:9

These verses and Ezek. 18:23;25 tell us that God wishes all would repent and live. 

That fact is, not everyone will be saved. So there must be something God considers more important than saving everyone. Here is a major difference between Calvinism (Reformed) and Arminian theology. Calvinism believes that God deems it more important that his glory is displayed in extending his mercy against the background of his perfect justice. Arminianism (named after Jacob Arminius, Dutch theologian, 16th century) teaches that God deems it more important to preserve our free will to choose or reject his offer of grace. Both views agree that something takes precedence over God saving everyone. So which is it! Rom. 9:22-24; 

"What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known bore with great patience the objects of his wrath--prepared for destruction? What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory--even us who he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?"

This clearly affirms the reformed view. If (Universalism) all men eventually get saved, it diminishes his mercy because there is no contrast between mercy and judgement. Like a candle in a dark room is brilliant, but is unnoticed in a room full of light.
          

Some may ask, is God really that egotistical that he cares more about his glory than in saving people? I would ask: Is God really so uncaring that he will allow men to make stupid choices that have eternal consequences in order to preserve their freedom to choose? Responsible parents don't allow their children free exercise of their will.

 

Child: “I want to stay up until midnight and watch TV”.
Parent: “Bedtime is at 9:30. Lights out!”
          

Parents do this because they know what's best for their children. Parents who allow their children to do what they want are considered irresponsible. By this standard we could say that God is irresponsible and that he really doesn't care. OR, we could conclude that he has a much greater purpose. When we talk about God glorifying himself, it really means he is making himself known. We cannot even begin to comprehend just how great he is and how glorious he is. As much as I have a hard time wrestling with these things, I must trust that one day when I finally see him, I will understand that it could be no other way.God had to do things just the way he did. If mercy were not extended amidst judgment, we would never really know God.

What if Adam and Eve Had Never sinned?

I really think a better question is: Is it possible that they might not have sinned? Earlier in this essay we saw that a major determining factor in our free will choices is our knowledge and beliefs. We also saw what can happen when we act on bad information.1 Tim. 2.14 and 2 Cor. 11:3 both confirm that Eve was deceived. She listened to bad information. 

Many people look at this account and have said that they would never have been deceived. They are right. None of us would have. We know too much. Satan knows that and he has never done the talking snake trick again, but we've all been led astray by him (Rev. 12:9). God told Adam that if he ate the fruit he would die. What could that possibly mean to a person living in a world in which death wasn't a part? Explaining death to Adam and Eve would be like explaining a beautiful sunset to someone born blind. It wouldn't mean anything.
        

You will notice that the serpent went after Eve and not Adam. Eve hadn't been created when God gave the command not to eat of the tree (see Genesis 2) So in Gen 3:1, the serpent asked Eve if God had said they couldn't eat of the tree. Eve really didn't know first hand what God had said. But she did say that they weren't to eat it of or even touch it. (possibly something Adam added) Satan then deceives her by accusing God of lying and having ulterior motives. Now much has been made of the fact that Adam was there and did nothing. But we cannot miss the fact that God was not there. He didn't jump in and call the serpent out on his lies and plead with Eve not to listen to him. And so Eve believed the serpent and the fruit looked good so she ate it.

        

Now Adam was not deceived, but Adam knew 2 things that Eve didn't know. 1. He knew what God had said.  2. He knew what it was like to be alone. We don't know for how long, but for at least some measurable amount of time, Eve was fallen and Adam was not. Choosing not to eat the fruit means he loses his companion and is alone again. Remember, they were both sinless so they had a perfect marriage. The serpent no doubt knew that because Eve had second hand information about what God had said, she would be an easier target. And if he got Eve, he'd get Adam as well.
        

I will concede that I am speculating somewhat and as such the answer may be inconclusive. But as I look at the evidence and the dynamics at play, my opinion is that Adam and Eve were freely going to make the wrong choice; making it a foregone conclusion from the very beginning that God was going to implement his plan of redemption. It stands to reason that if God's purpose is to display his great mercy and grace in contrast with with his perfect justice. He had to allow sin to enter the world. If he had not, his justice and grace would have been completely unnecessary and much of God's charactor would never be known.

Does God Predestine Some to Go To Hell?

Isa. 59:2, “But your iniquities have separated you from your God”

The simple answer is no. In John 3:17-18;

 "For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son." 

Man is condemned because of his sin. God's proactive role is in saving people. It is not accurate to say that he determines that one man will be saved and one will not in the same way. (double predestination) Man is condemned already and the Bible is clear that man is responsible for his condemned state. Matt. 23:37;

"...how often I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, BUT YOU WERE NOT WILLING." 

John 5:40;

"... You refuse to come to me to have life." 

It is man's refusal to obey God that condemns him, not God predestining him to hell. It must be understood in this way:
Man is completely to blame for his sin.
God is completely responsible for our salvation.
God predestines those who are saved. Again, Rom.9:16, "It does not depend on man's desire or effort but on God's mercy."

Why Is the Doctrine of Predestination (Election) important?

Rom. 3:27, "where then is boasting? IT IS EXCLUDED. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith." Eph. 2:9, "not by works, so that no one can boast."

         If the final determining factor in our salvation is our decision to follow Christ, then we would have a reason to boast. We could take credit for our decision. But we cannot take credit because the only way we could make the decision was because God replaced our stone hearts with hearts of flesh. That gives us the new nature that now desires to follow God. That's regeneration. Jesus called it being "born again" John 3:3;

...no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." 

He's not even talking about entering it. Just to be able to see or perceive the kingdom of God requires a man to be born again. We cannot see it otherwise. Remember that the faith we have in Jesus is a gift from God—it’s not something we can come up with on our own. Therefore we must not look to ourselves. Rather, we must fix our eyes on Jesus--the author and finisher of our faith.

Application for Our Lives.

 The doctrine of election should make us understand that we are absolutely helpless and totally dependent on God for everything. Rather than being filled with pride that we were chosen while others were passed over. It should humble us because we know that the only reason he chose us was because of his love and mercy. Not because we had any merit and not because we were wise enough to make a right choice. It's only by his grace. Our response should be everlasting worship and praise.
         

It should also affect how we approach sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. God doesn't tell us who he has predestined to be saved. Some who appear to be zealous may not really be regenerated. (Matt. 7:21-23) and who knows how many will be regenerated at the very last minute. Like the thief on the cross. He simply tells us in Matt 28:19-20,

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

One thing that is not in our job description is getting people saved. That's God's job. Our job is to preach. 1 Cor. 3:6; 

"I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow." 

That gives great comfort and caution too. Comfort in that we are not responsible for the results. Caution in that we take care to preach the word accurately and not do anything as far as making the word more appealing in order to gain more converts. Jesus said to teach EVERYTHING he commanded. (Of course don’t be offensive.)

So to recap very quickly: We perceive ourselves to have free will because we are not forced to do things we don't desire. But our will is controlled our nature. Without regeneration (a new heart of flesh) our nature is sinful and therefore hostile towards God. Therefore our free will choice will always be to reject him.
            

We contribute nothing to our salvation because even the ability to make the choice to follow him was brought about by his resurrection power in our lives.
God’s purpose in election means that some will be saved and others will be passed over and allowed to face judgment. This is very hard to grasp but we have to trust him.
And finally;

    * We are to preach the gospel in it's entirety to everyone.

    * We preach.
    * God saves.
    * We disciple.

God gives us the job of sharing the good news and then, after he saves them, the job of making them into disciples. We are not responsible for the results. We are only responsible for being obedient to what he has commanded us. 

Now may we all go and live out who we are as children of God in Christ.