Another topic which brings tension and which, when attempting to solve with human logic leads to heresy is the topic of predestination. It is thought that since God’s desire is that all people will be saved and since we know some people are not saved that, logically, God must desire that some people are not saved and so we resolve the tension by proposing a double predestination idea.
The problem and the solution is to only say what God says, to not add nor take way and this is what leads to tension and resolve. Our resolve is that God says He desires that all people are saved and no where does He say He desires nor predestines anyone to not be saved or to be condemned. Thus, we are left in tension, but the tension is what God says.
God’s desire is that all people are saved and those who are saved give glory to God because God saved them. Because some people reject God they are not saved. Thus, it is their own fault that they are not saved.
So here we get to the other issue that brings tension that if we are saved God gets the credit and if we are condemned it is our own fault. This fact is true because all we can do is resist, refuse and reject God. We cannot, of ourselves, come to faith. Just as a drowning person cannot save themself so we cannot put faith in our heart.
The logical human resolve is that if we can reject then we can accept, but no where does God tell us we can accept, make a decision for Jesus, etc. All He tells us is that we can reject Him.
The good news is that He chooses and accepts us even in our sin, calling us to faith through His Word and Holy Baptism. He strengthens and keeps us in faith through His Word and His Holy Supper. He forgives our sins through these means as well as through confession and absolution.
God’s desire is that all people are saved and all people that are saved give glory to God for Jesus’ saving us.
39 of 52 © Rev. Dr. Ronald A. Bogs (2018)
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