Does God Predestine Our Choices?

One of the most difficult concepts in Scripture is introduced and developed in the beginning verses of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians.  Understanding the word “predestine” creates a challenge. The passage (Ephesians 1: 4-12 NIV) tells us that God chose us from before the creation of the world, and that He predestined (προορίσας, PRO-OR-IH-SAS) us for both eternal glories and life on earth.

Ephesians 1:4-12 | Different Versions

On the one extreme, some people hold that God predestines everything about man’s life – who will be saved, what works we will do, what decisions we will make.  Honestly, it is a logical position to hold.  If God predestines – makes – man to do one thing, He of necessity must make man do everything.  Some would say that God predestines – makes – man act with regard to salvation, but not regarding daily decisions of what to eat or drink. This belief seems to have some real difficulties in consistency and application.

On the other extreme, some people hold that man is completely in control of his decisions and that God is not actively involved in any way in his life.  These folks almost place God on a shelf removed from man – and their prayers and living often reflect that belief.

Understanding the Word Predestine

Perhaps the real answer is a blend of both.

Part of the difficulty in understanding this concept lies in the limited perspective on our lives and our limited knowledge of the nature of God.  Another part of the problem is a misunderstanding or misconception about the meaning of predestination.  Finally, we also have difficulty understanding if foreknowledge equals causation.

Everything that we do hinges on time – something that God placed in creation and that man operates under.  Our accomplishments took place in time.  The actions performed today takes time.  Everything that we look forward to will occur in time. God, however, exists above and beyond time.  The Scripture teaches that He is eternal – having no beginning (a term bound by time) and no ending (a term bound by time).  What occurred yesterday in our vantage point is occurring simultaneously with what will happen tomorrow from God’s point of view.

Peter tries to put a handle on that concept by saying that to God a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like a day.  Peter did not want us to become caught up in the literal hours – because that is bound by time.  He wanted us to see that time means nothing to God.  What takes place today is the same as what took place a thousand years ago and is the same as what will take place in another thousand years.  Mind boggling, isn’t it?

God’s Perspective

The word “predestine” in the Greek’s active voice has two distinct meanings.  Sometimes it was used to mean being in the present and looking back at history to make judgments and evaluations. I look at history and “predestine” my decisions and my judgments for today’s actions.  It could also be used to go the other direction.  It meant to see into the future – to see things in advance, with an eye to the future. I look at today and “predestine” the future.  The word would have been used of sports odds makers in Las Vegas setting the odds for a football game.

Paul used the word in the passive voice – to try to help us understand that at any point in our time, God is not actively looking and making decisions about our future.  But in man’s usage the passive voice had come to mean “to decide something beforehand.”  It doesn’t quite capture what God does with regard to our decisions and time – perhaps a better rendering would be “God knows beforehand.”

But if God “knows” something beforehand, does that mean that He caused it to happen?  Not necessarily, it depends on whether God has allowed man to have choices – the ability to determine which decision will be made, which “master” to serve, whom to love and whom to hate.  From the very beginning pages of the Old Testament, the biblical writers paint a picture that man has the ability to choose.  And they do not paint a pretty picture – for man often makes the wrong choice.

Our Limitations

Difficulties about concerning predestination. We are so bound by time. We build everything around it – our schedules, our plans, and our understanding of meaning and purpose. Predestination itself lends itself to pertain to matters of time – the actions we will perform tomorrow.

But God sees no limitations because of time. He sees yesterday, today, and forever. The Lord doesn’t change with time because time does not effect Him. God also has unlimited knowledge, allowing Him to know things on both sides of our time. Our life to God is something that has already happened to Him.

But God has given us choices. “Adam and Eve, you may eat of any fruit in the Garden, but don’t eat from the fruit of this particular tree.” Choices were made. “Choose today whom you will serve.” Choices are made.

From man’s vantage point, we have choices and we pray, acknowledging our dependence upon God for life and breath. From God’s standpoint, He has already welcomed us home.