Chosen in Him vs Free Will Choice
- It is not our human choice whether God chose us in Him or not, that choice is His alone.
- He gives us free will to choose Him. I showed this in Ephesians 1:4-6.
Ephesians 1:4-6 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
- Should indicates human choice. God wants us to choose Him, but it is our choice to choose Him or not and live according to His will.
- Predestined → unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself. In other words, John 3:16-17.
John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
- Whosoever believeth in Him (believe; human choice) should not perish
- That the world (all of us) through Him might (conditional; human choice) be saved
Jesus speaking to the disciples:
John 15:14-16 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
- If ye do whatsoever I command you (do; human choice)
- That ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain (go and bring forth fruit; human choice)
James:
James 2:5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
- Chosen to be rich in faith (be rich in faith; human choice)
- ...heirs of the kingdom which He hath promised...
- ...to them that love Him (love Him; human choice)
The Book of Life from the Foundation of the World
Revelation 13:8 and 17:8 can be read one of two ways.
- All names were written in the book of life from the foundation of the world.
- It is the book of life itself that is from the foundation of the world. Names are written and blotted out as each person makes their choice concerning God throughout their lifetime, once each case is determined.
The question is, which position does scripture support?
In 2 Peter 3 we find that God is long-suffering; He is waiting for all to come to repentance. God has chosen us in Him, but He is waiting for us to choose Him. If all names were written in the book of life, how then are we found in need of repentance?
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Lastly, we have Exodus 32:33, which should settle the issue.
Exodus 32:33 And the Lord said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.
- Whosoever hath sinned against me (human choice)
- Against me (against God's will)
- Sin can cause names to be blotted out of the book of life.
- If names are written in the book of life from the foundation of the world (from the beginning), those names would likely be blotted out because of unrepentant sin, and remain blotted out until there is repentance and a newness of life.
Let me state my position so that it is clear. This is my last post. You can agree to disagree, and you can respond with your rebuttal. Let the reader decide through prayerful study of the Bible.
1. God having chosen us in Him is in no way negated by the free will He has given us to choose Him or not.
2. We are not predetermined to be saved or lost. Each of us has a choice of our own free will.
3. If names are blotted out for sinning against Him (Exodus 32:33), then names can be written back in for choosing Him and doing His will.
4. If all have sinned, then our names are not in the book of life (blotted because of sin) until we have repented and live according to His will.
Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.