This is one of the most debated doctrines in Christendom today. Predestination vs free will. Well, let’s see the arguments from both the sides as the best way to come to a decision is only after examining both the sides of a coin. Let’s know the definitions first.

Predestination is the idea that God, being omniscient and omnipotent, has predetermined before the foundation of the world, the fate or destiny of individuals, including their salvation or eternal punishment in hell.

Free will is the belief that God gives power to humans to make choices in situations that genuinely affect their destiny.

 Well, which is biblical? Predestination or free will? Let’s see first what free will believers argue. The world’s current sinful state is directly linked to choices made by Adam and Eve. Today we preach the gospel, teach biblical doctrines to give people the opportunity to hear and respond. Joshua 24:15 says, “choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” Many other Bible verses like Deuteronomy 28:1-2, Deuteronomy 28:15, Deuteronomy 30:19-20, and many reiterate that God’s blessings or curses will be shown to Israel when they choose between obedience and disobedience. Also1 Corinthians 10:23, says, “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.”, where this verse points to, you have the right to do anything you want.

(A) Bible Verses to Prove "Free Will"

Joshua 24:15 “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord”

 Deuteronomy 28:1-2 "And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth.  And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God."

 Deuteronomy 28:15 "But if you will not obey the voice of the Lord your God or be careful to do all his commandments and his statutes that I command you today, then all these curses shall come upon you and overtake you."

Deuteronomy 30:19-20  "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live,  loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”

1 Corinthians 10:23 “All things are lawful, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful, but not all things build up.”

Let’s discuss the biblical perspective of predestination now. We read in Romans 8:29-30 as, “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. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified” and Ephesians 1:11 says, “In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will” Also, God’s unchanging character is shown in Malachi 3:6 that says, “For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.” These verses clearly confirm God foreknew in advance who he will save and who he will not, removing our free will from the process. Predestination is a biblical doctrine. The words translated “predestined” in the Scriptures are from the Greek word Proorizo, which carries the meaning of “determining beforehand,” “ordaining,” “deciding ahead of time.” Though we speak of “accidents,” really, there are no accidents. Nothing will take place today that hasn’t been carefully planned by our creator in eternity past. God is sovereign all-knowing and all-powerful.  Predestination means our salvation is secure and settled and pre-planned by God and we don’t lose our salvation. Also, our sufferings, sorrows, persecutions, and defeats are not by accident. The verses shown below prove that God in His sovereignty chooses certain individuals to be saved, proving the doctrine of predestination.

(B) Bible Verses to Prove "Predestination"

Romans 8:29-30  “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. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified”

 Ephesians 1:11 “In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will”

Malachi 3:6 “For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.”

 Matthew 24:22 "And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short."

Matthew 24:31 "And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other."

Mark 13:20 "And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he shortened the days."

Mark 13:27 "And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven."

Romans 8:33 "Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies"

Romans 9:11"Though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls"

Romans 11:5-7 "So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace. What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened"

Romans 11: 28 "As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers."

Ephesians 1:11"In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will"

 Colossians 3:12 "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience"

 1 Thessalonians 1:4 "For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you"

 1 Timothy 5:21 "In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality"

 2 Timothy 2:10 "Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory"

 Titus 1:1"Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness"

 1 Peter 1:1-2 "Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you"

1 Peter 2:9 "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."

 2 Peter 1:10 "Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall."

Predestination is personal and relational, and not changeable. The most common objection to the doctrine of predestination is that it is unfair. No. God already knows from His eternity past, who will be saved and who will not. We can’t question His plan and will. Also God knows, how He will take different people through different processes and ultimately what will happen in their destiny. All pre-planned by God. He knows it all. He allows us the free will of choosing our own path and also commands us to pray to Him with our own requests. God at times answers us according to our wishes, despite His will, which may be different and the best. But God knows these too already and the ultimate results too. The bottom-line is we are just God’s creations with limited knowledge to understand God’s will and purpose and His mysteries. The question of free will probably be a debate we will have until we meet Jesus. Well, you heard it all, the arguments from both the sides. But this should not be our main mission or focus. We have a responsibility to preach the gospel, teach the biblical doctrines and give people the opportunity to hear, choose and respond.

I am a rebel, saved by God's Grace through Jesus Christ. Married. Live in India.
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