Understanding the Factors Involved in Predestination

There are two factors that I know of at this time. They are the factors of knowledge and faith. Today, we will focus on knowledge.

First, we must concede our lack of perfect knowledge to the LORD. God has absolute knowledge about everything before hand, without waiting to see or know the choices of men. This is the first factor in predestination. Even if you do not understand this, you must accept that we are not classmates with God. Here are a few reminders in scripture of this solemn and mind boggling reality:

1. \”The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.\” Deuteronomy 29:29 (KJV)
2. \”For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.\” Isaiah 55:8-9 (KJV)

3. \”Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.\” Isaiah 46:9-11 (KJV)

4. Jesus saw Nathaniel coming toward Him, and said of him, \”Here is a genuine Israelite with no deceit in him!\” Nathaniel said to Him, \”How do you know me?\” Jesus answered him, \”While you were still under the fig tree, before Philip called you, I saw you.\” Nathaniel answered Him, \”Teacher, you are the Son of God, you are the king of Israel!\” Joh 1:47-49 (Williams New Testament)

Can you at least admit that the way God knows something is not the same way you know things? Now, let\’s see an example of an accurate prophet in scriptures. Look at the credentials of this man of God: \”And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD.\” 1 Samuel 3:19-20 KJV

Yet, as accurate as he was, he did not suddenly get promoted to the same \”class\” with God: \”And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD\’S anointed is before him. But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.\” 1 Samuel 16:6-7 KJV

So, because God has perfect knowledge, He does not need to decipher (discover) outcomes based on human choices before He can know things that are ahead. He actually declares the end from the beginning. Hence, from God\’s side of things, there is perfect knowledge.

However, because God\’s perfect knowledge (secret things) is completely beyond us, we cannot operate from what is not given to us. It is only what is revealed that belongs to us and our children (Deut 29:29). Therefore, our duty is to know and work with what He has revealed because it is sufficient in the matter of salvation and the continuum that follows (Salvation – Sanctification – Glorification).

Within the context of salvation, we have the factor of accurate sequence of truth (still dealing with revealed knowledge) that establishes the counsel of God in any life that responds to the Gospel. \”Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:\” Isaiah 28:9-10 KJV

What has led to the misunderstanding and abuse of the doctrine of predestination, among other things, is the attempt by many who have not sucked directly from established lives to teach what they don\’t understand. And from those who might have been raised properly in the faith but became conceited at some points. In such cases, they stumble on the rock that ought to be the foundation for their lives and thereby fall away (1 Peter 2:8, Hebrews 6:4-6)

In my next installment, we will begin to look at the accurate point or place to begin your spiritual history as a Christian. Here is a foretaste: The right place to begin your spiritual history is not creation neither is it redemption, it must be predestination. Please read Ephesians 1:4-5, 2:10, 2 Timothy 1:9, 2 Peter 1:10-11.