<> Ask the Pastor The Rev. Walter Snyder Q: I am very curious about predestination. Obviously God knows all and sees all - therefore can it not be true that God already knows who is to be saved and who is to be damned? A: You also wrote, "In the Bible there are several references to the 'elect' - or Gods chosen." So how does God elect you? How do you know? Election and predestination bring peace to the Christian, for the Father wants his beloved children to have certainty of their heavenly home and of his divine guidance. We can follow a series of thoughts as we explore this topic. Note that none of these Scriptures shows God damning us from all eternity. He choses people to be saved, people volunteer themselves to be condemned. Election is God's choice from all eternity: Ephesians 1:4-5 says, "Before He made the world, His love led Him to choose us in Christ to be holy and blameless in His sight. In the kindness of His will He appointed [predestined] us long ago to be made His sons through Jesus Christ." Election is prompted by God's grace: "In the kindness of His will ... (Eph. 1:5)" he did this, "not because of what we had done but because He planned to give us His grace [undeserved love]. (2 Tim. 1:9)" Jesus is the Agent of God's love: "This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus.... (2 Tim. 1:9)" In light of this grace, God chose to call people to himself; we have no impact on his decision: "His choice [election] ... does not depend on anything that we do but on Him who calls us.... (Rom. 9:11)" Paul shows God appointing and choosing the children of Abraham and Sarah, of Isaac and Rebekah, in Romans 9:9-16, concluding, "It depends on God's mercy." Those whom God calls, he enlightens and sanctifies [makes holy]: "Those whom He appointed long ago, He also called; those whom He called, He also justified [declared righteous].... (Rom. 8:30)" See also Ephesians 1:4 (above), where He has chosen us "to be holy and blameless in His sight." He keeps and preserves these saints [holy people]: Romans 8:28 says, "We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, those whom He called according to His plan." This good is not earthly, temporal blessing, but eternal life. Even Satan or death cannot thwart God's gracious will, for "nothing ... can ever separate us from the love God has for us in Christ Jesus. (Rom. 8:39)" The call comes to you through the means chosen by God: "He called you by the Gospel [Good News] which we preach.... (2 Thes. 2:14)" We know that "baptism now saves us....(1 Peter 3:21)" God forgives us through the words of our pastors and fellow believers, for "whenever you forgive people's sins, they are forgiven. (John 20:23)" Forgiveness and renewed faith also come in Holy Communion. Christ says, "This is My blood of the 'last will and testament' which is being poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." God chose to call, elect, predestinate, create and sustain faith, and bring to eternal life on his own: "He ... appointed [predestined] us long ago in Christ and chose us according to His purpose. (Eph. 1:11)" His grace is for all, but not all are elected and predestined: God our Savior "wants all people to be saved and to come to know the truth. (1 Tim. 2:4)" Yet, "many are invited, but few are chosen. (Matt. 22:14)" This election of grace in Christ Jesus belongs to the believers, although Christ suffered and died to redeem the entire world: See 1 Timothy 2:4 (above) and John 3:16. We are called out of this sinful world: "I chose to separate you from the world. (John 15:19)" We're also called out of our own wickedness: "You have destroyed yourself, but in Me is your help. (Hosea 13:9)" We are called to live new lives, to be new people. God makes us shine eternally with his own glory: This happens while we are still on earth, since "those whom He justified, He also glorified. (Rom. 8:30)" We "shine like stars in the world, (Phil. 2:15)" and even beyond the grave, since we "receive salvation in Christ Jesus and everlasting glory. (2 Tim. 2:10)" Faith in Christ is your glory and your proof of election. Rejoice in your election, in the sure and certain hope of eternal life and unfading glory with God forevermore. "He who believes and is baptized will be saved. (Mark 16:16)." Until next week, when we enjoy more of your questions, remember to "Ask the Pastor" at P.O. Box 1080, Jasper, Texas, 75951; E-mail xrysostom@aol.com; or catch me around town. Pastor Snyder serves St. Paul and Faith Lutheran Churches, Jasper and Woodville, Texas and is coauthor of the book "What Do Lutherans Believe? A Study Guide in Christian Teachings for Adults." Copyright (c) 1996 by Walter P. Snyder Permission is granted by author to reproduce or retransmit this by any means, provided that its content is not altered, that this notice of copyright and permission is included, and that no financial gain is realized.