In him we were also chosen, having been predestined …
Summary: Being “chosen” and “predestined” might sound like a contradiction, but only from a human point of view. God’s point of view of our lives is quite different.
How do you explain to a child why they were born? The answer involves more than simple biology. A child is born as a result of a choice. (I am speaking now of a healthy marriage situation.) A mother and a father decide to come together and allow a child to be born. They commit to raising the child and supporting each other during the process. Such a child is “predestined” to have the best outcome possible.
Sadly, our society is very confused about this topic today. Many people in our culture seem to worship the idea of sex to the point where they feel entitled to sexual gratification whenever they want. In their minds, sex is all about emotional gratification. The biological result of sexual intercourse is incidental for them. It is considered a nuisance, something to be dealt with harshly. Children of these people are often killed, their deaths justified by a twisted reckoning.
God is not confused. He understands where children come from and where their spirits come from as well. God wants all of his children to have life. He also wants all of us to make our own choices. Not all of us make good choices.
Sometimes we make bad choices and don’t realize it. Come to think of it, no one ever makes a “bad choice” on purpose. We believe our choices will bring us something good even if the means and methods of getting there are bad. When bad things happen, it is easy to blame someone else, especially God.
From God’s point of view, it is easier to see the connection between bad choices and bad results. God sees us both physically and spiritually. He knows what is in our hearts and minds. He sees what we think as clearly as if our thoughts were splashed across an electronic billboard in Times Square. He knows where the blame belongs.
God is able to perceive those of us who believe in him and in Jesus, his Son. These are the “chosen,” the people God predestined to believe.
Application: Trust in God’s judgment. If you haven’t already given your heart to him, do so — now.
Food for Thought: Why do so many of our best efforts to make “good” choices turn out not-so-good, or worse, bad?
One of the problems is that it could be our best effort rather than relying on God. If I am operating on my own power as opposed to listening and submitting to the Lord, my best may not be His best. Proverbs 3: 5 – 6.
Thank you, Rich.
So relying on our “own power” is a bit more limiting than relying on God? 🙂
What good can sinful man do? I struggle all the time with how far short my attempts to do good are.
Emails, phone calls, keeping things organized, keeping a steady supply of meals available, being kind, meeting needs, keeping things clean, improving most everything in my life, maintaining everything I see, taking care of my body, cultivating a good environment for my marriage.
This is what I can’t keep up with and nowhere on this list is sharing the gospel. I can’t manage the lesser yet important tasks, yet I don’t even include the great commission in my weekly plans.
If I accomplished the good I planned, is it good enough to be good in God’s eyes?
Let’s just say, I’m thankful that salvation is through faith not works.
Angela,
You did a very interesting thing here: You reframed the question … twice!
“What good can sinful man do?” is a deep, deep question that depends largely on the definition of the word, “sin.” As we have discussed here before, the word “sin” comes from a concept that can mean two things. One is the archery term for “missing the mark” or missing the bullseye. At least the person is presumed to be trying to hit the target! The other is the person who doesn’t even try – the rebellious one.
From this perspective, God might very well look at people and say that the rebellious are “bad” and those who are trying to hit the target are doing “good.” Not “good” in any sense of the word that justifies salvation on our own, but “good” in the sense that it is pleasing in God’s sight. The things you describe doing are things that I suspect God finds pleasing in his sight.
Your next question was this one:
“If I accomplished the good I planned, is it good enough to be good in God’s eyes?”
Again, I am struck by the depth of the question. Does God consider it “good” that his people plan to do “good?” I think the answer is “yes.” Is anything in this world “good enough” in God’s eyes? My mind goes back to Jesus’ response to the rich man:
“Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good.” (Matthew 19:17)
The “One who is good” is God. We cannot measure up to a perfect God, but we are made in his image so it makes sense that we can try to be good.
(As the disciples remarked, “Who then can be saved?” To which Jesus responds, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” – Matthew 19:25-26)
So now, allow me to reframe your questions:
What does God look for in those who believe in Jesus? Is he judging us on how “good” we are, or is he looking for something else?
In Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus sums up all the law and the prophets with two simple commands. These are, if you will, God’s definition of “good.” The first is love God above all else. The second is to love others as ourselves.
God doesn’t define “good” by what we do, but by how we love.
02-18-2023, Why do so many of our best efforts to make “good” choices turn out not-so-good, or worse, bad?
Our best effort to make what we determine to be a good choice cuts God completely out of the process, is a foolish person making a foolish decision.
Romans 7:18, For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.
Ron,
Nicely put! Leaving God out of the equation limits us to our own judgment. Like a ship at sea in a thick fog, we have nothing to use for a reference point.