Curtis's Blog

In the past, I’ve written about God’s will and God’s plan and what I thought to be the difference between them.  It’s important to stress that these are merely my thoughts.  I can’t say beyond a shadow of a doubt that I know what I’m talking about.  And I think that’s allowed.  We’re talking about the God of the universe here.  He created everything you see just by speaking… I’d say he’s allowed to have a few secrets.  However, with that being said, I think it’s safe to say that God does in fact make certain aspects of his will very clear.

I remember reading Ephesians 1:4-5 recently and seeing a clarity to it that I’m sad to say, I missed so many times in the past.

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 for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—

I know there’s a fair amount of confusion and discrepancy when it comes to the topic of predestination even among fellow Christians.  But then, I now don’t see how this verse can read any clearer.  Allow me to summarize:

Before the beginning of the world, God intended that every person in history would be holy and blameless; and according to his will, every person in history would be saved through his son Jesus.

When it comes to matters of doctrine I take a stand that refuses to take a stand unless I have a clear understanding of what I’m standing for.   I know, right?  I said “stand” a ton of times just now.  What I’m saying is that prior to my new found inspiration, I didn’t take sides on predestination.  But now it’s clear and I know where I, for lack of a better word, stand.

And it makes sense doesn’t it?  If we say that God is a god of love, and we say that God is perfect, how can we still say that God predestines only some of us.  That doesn’t sound very loving if you ask me.  How can you have a perfect love and only love some of the time?

So if God predestines everyone, why doesn’t everyone go to heaven?

Good question.  I think this goes back to how much God loves us.  God created us to have a relationship with him.  Above all else, God desires love.  He choose to love us enough to send his own son to take the penalty for our sin… to take the penalty that we deserve.  In return he simply asks us to choose love.  If we love God, we accept his gift, and his salvation.  On the other hand, if God were to sit in heaven controlling us like little puppets and forcing us to “love” him… well that wouldn’t exactly be love would it?  Love is a choice.  And God loves us enough to let us make that choice.

So, my advice?  Choose love.  After all… it is God’s will.