Are We Predestined Part 2 Series

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Are We Predestined Part 2

(Rev. Barry Johnson and Rev. Rodney Johnson)

Introduction

Let’s open this lesson with a word of prayer.

This is part two of our lesson “Are We Predestined?” In part one we examined how predestination has traditionally been taught in the Church and how some believe they are destined to go to heaven or hell because God has already decreed it. We read the story of Judas betraying Christ and how some believe that he did not have a choice based on his fulfilling the Old Testament prophecy about Jesus’ closest friend being His betrayer. But the main focus of lesson one, and in this lesson as well, was to understand how the words “predestined”, “predestination” and “elect” were used within the context of the Scriptures. In other words, we attempted to be true to the Scriptures in explaining “what” was being referenced when the words predestined, predestination and elect were used. It is this foundation that opens the door for our understanding that yes, predestination is talked about in Scripture, but we must understand what was actually predestined and what was not.

Before we review some Scriptures that strongly disprove the notion that God has already decided our lives and predestined us to heaven or hell, we want to review a story in the Old Testament that is similar to what we discussed in lesson one about Judas betraying Christ. The story we want to examine is one that is used as a proof text for predestination. A proof text is a “passage of Scripture that is presented as proof for a theological doctrine, belief or principle.” That story is God’s hardening of Pharaoh’s heart, which is found in Exodus chapter one. It is taught that God hardened Pharaoh’s heart because He is sovereign and He can do as He pleases. It is taught that He did it because He is in control. It is taught that Pharaoh had no choice; he had to defy God. Finally it is taught that God used Pharaoh’s stubbornness against him to bring Egypt to its knees. So what did happen and how do we reconcile what is recorded in Scripture with what we have been teaching in these two lessons. Well, let’s go to the Bible.

God’s Relationship with Man

First and foremost we have to remember what God’s relationship with man is. James 1:13-17 tells us the following, “(13) Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. (14) But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. (15) Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. (16) Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. (17) Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.” (James 1:13-17) There are three things in this passage that are important to identify. First, God is not a tempter. Only one being is given that title in the Bible – the devil (Matthew 4:1, 3 and Luke 4:2). Second, not only is God not a tempter, but only good comes from Him. And third, He is the Father of lights. And First John 1:5 emphasizes that point when it says, “This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.” These verses tell us that there is no darkness in God. We have already talked about how God desires that all men would be saved. That was not just for those of the New Testament. We see this also in the Old Testament when God made provisions for those who wished to be a part of the blessing of Abraham. When Moses brought the Children of Israel out of Egypt, Exodus 12:38 records “A mixed multitude also went up with them, along with flocks and herds, a very large number of livestock.” The mixed multitude were not Israelites, but had witnessed how God humbled Egypt through Moses and did not want to live in a country that was no longer the most powerful in the world. These unbelieving Egyptians and other inhabitants living in Egypt had witnessed a power greater than the gods of Egypt! The mixed multitude partook of God’s grace; experienced it with the Children of Israel, and were fellow-travelers with Israel for a time, experiencing with them the power of God as He pulled them “out of the iron furnace, out of Egypt.” (Deuteronomy 4:20; First Kings 8:51) Also, Exodus 12:48 says, “But if a stranger sojourns with you, and celebrates the Passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near to celebrate it; and he shall be like a native of the land. But no uncircumcised person may eat of it.” What we want you to see in pointing out these passages is that, even in the Old Testament, God allowed His grace to fall upon those who chose Him. In a way, isn’t this another example of the fallacy of the teaching of predestination? Let’s get back to Pharaoh.