The Paradox of God's Sovereignty and Man's Free Will

The Paradox of Sovereignty and Free Will

Key Questions:

Does total depravity mean that all is lost when it comes to my ability to choose?

Does God choose contrary to my will and make me love Him?

Does God choose some and reject others?

Is it really possible that lost people can come to faith in Christ if God doesn’t do the work in them? If not, is there really a genuine invitation to the world to receive Christ if they can’t do it on their own and Christ won’t awaken the hearts of some?

Caveat:

Go back and watch last week’s video on truths that must be affirmed.

Personal beliefs that God does not violate our free will, but that He is also sovereign in our salvation.

Rejection of Limited Atonement

These are deep truths that branch out quickly. Humility is required!

The Golden Chain of Atonement

Key Passage:

Foreknowledge/Election

definition - literally from two words, Pro-before and gnosis - knowledge - means to know beforehand literally, but used differently throughout Scripture

Meaning

Can mean to know in advance that someone will choose Christ or not.

Also can be used in the sense of loving before hand. For example, Adam knew his wife Eve (; ; ; ; ) - God “knows” all nations, so this is a special knowledge/love

Genesis 4:1]

Can be used to mean “fore-ordained/appoint” - ; ;

Predestined

Definition - foreordain or choose beforehand

Meaning

God decrees those whom he foreordains to salvation (be conformed to the image of His Son)

Scriptures:

- predestined a plan of action or means of salvation

- chose us for adoption as sons (predestined us to something)

Calling

Definition - invite, summon

I like to think of a big dinner bell

God rings the bell for everyone but helps some of us hear the bell

Think about the fact that some of us hear the gospel presented more than others. All things are not equal. Doesn’t mean God loves Americans or a certain group of people more than others.

Meaning

God helps us hear the call of the gospel - ,

Calling is a gift - ; ;

Objection: Is this fair of God (thus the response Paul gives in )

All deserve hell. (; )

None deserve forgiveness

No one is innocent - ; ;

Forgiveness is a free gift (

Salvation is not about fairness, but mercy.

God doesn’t violate His other attributes

Glorification

Definition - to give glory or praise to

Meaning

We are made like Jesus (; )

We will not sin ()

We will be in an eternally glorified state ()

Man’s Responsibility*

Call out to God for salvation/ “receive” salvation - -

- Denial of self and willingness to walk in Christ

Denial of self and willingness to walk in Christ -

Live out your salvation -

- live out your salvation

Real choices

Deut. 30:15-20

Husband and Wife Illustration

Notes:

Pronouns are plural in the passage - referring to a group of people.

Greater context has to do with groups of people - Jews vs Gentiles

Larger point is all of us are dependent on God to save us and therefore we should not look with scorn on one another like the Jews and Gentiles in the Roman church were doing

Past tense of verbs predestined, called, and glorified are used of a future event to stress the certainty of its completion (i.e. eternal security)

Election is about who and predestination is what - Mike Winger

Application:

All of these passages are about eternal security in Christ

These passages DO NOT teach that some are saved despite doing nothing. We must believe and respond to God’s invitation.

We are to stand in gratitude and worship of God for His saving grace.

Evangelism is under the guiding hand of God.

God has not chosen to explain or reveal everything about salvation to us. However, God does not violate the other attributes of His character in granting salvation to the elect.