"Paul speaks of predestination."
Rom 8:29-30
29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; . . .
(from New International Version)
Eph 1:5
he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-
(from New International Version)
Freedom Of Choice
"choose you this day whom ye will serve"
Josh 24:15
But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."
(from New International Version)
"obey", "follow", "be diligent".
Luke 9.23 1 Tim 4.15
John 14:23
Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey . . .
(from New International Version)
God Knows The Future
"There are hundreds of scriptures where God accurately foretold the future."
See Isaiah 52 and 53 for details about the life and death of Jesus.
Isa 52:13-15
13 See, my servant will act wisely;. . .
14 Just as there were many who were appalled at him--
his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man
and his form marred beyond human likeness--
15 so will he sprinkle many nations, . . .
Isa 53:2-12
2 He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. 3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. . . 7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken. 9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. 10 Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, . . . 11 After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light [of life] and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. 12 . . . he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many,and made intercession for the transgressors.
(from New International Version)
In Gen 6 God tells Noah of the forthcoming great flood.
Gen 6:12-17
12 God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways. 13 So God said to Noah, "I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth. 14 So make yourself an ark . . . 17 I am going to bring floodwaters on the earth to destroy all life under the heavens, every creature that has the breath of life in it. Everything on earth will perish.
(from New International Version)
Jesus even knew the background sounds when Peter was to deny him.
Matt 26:34
"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times."
(from New International Version)
If God Knows The Future How Can We Have Any Freedom Of Choice?
"Both past and future are laid out before his eyes"
Isa 46:10
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 New International Version)
Both Are True. Predestination and Choice Coexist
"To those who would say,
"If God ordains our actions how can we ever sin? ...""
Rom 9:19
One of you will say to me: "Then why does God still blame us? For who resists his will?"
(from New International Version)
"who art thou that repliest against God?"
Rom 9:20
Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?
KJV
This page created 2aug04 updated 5sep06