God’s Sovereign Grace is Not Fatalism

Predestination is Not Fatalism

All scripture quotations are taken from the Authorized King James Bible. Any deviations are not intentional. All underlines, bold and words within brackets are the author's.

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If you do not desire to preach the gospel and see the salvation of lost souls, then you do not rightly understand the doctrine of Predestination but have likely turned it into fatalism. Just read what Paul, whom God used to communicate so many truths concerning God's sovereign grace, wrote.

Romans 1:14-15 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. SO, AS MUCH AS IN ME IS, I AM READY TO PREACH THE GOSPEL ....

1 Corinthians 9:16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, WOE IS UNTO ME, IF I PREACH NOT THE GOSPEL!

Romans 11:14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and MIGHT SAVE SOME OF THEM.

1 Corinthians 9:22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, THAT I MIGHT BY ALL MEANS SAVE SOME.

2 Timothy 2:10 Therefore I endure all things FOR THE ELECT'S SAKES, THAT THEY MAY ALSO OBTAIN THE SALVATION WHICH IS IN CHRIST JESUS with eternal glory.

Paul was under no delusion that he might save any but the elect. But, he also understood that the same God who had ordained the elect unto eternal life (Acts 13:48), had also ordained the method by which they would be saved (hearing and believing the gospel).

Romans 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

1 Corinthians 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you TO SALVATION THROUGH sanctification of the Spirit and BELIEF OF THE TRUTH:

This certainly was the understanding of those in the early church. They did not just throw up their hands and say, Oh well, all of the elect will get saved whether I preach to anyone or not. No, they went forth everywhere preaching the gospel, even when fleeing persecution.

Acts 8:3-4 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling MEN AND WOMEN committed them to prison. Therefore THEY that were scattered abroad WENT EVERY WHERE PREACHING THE WORD.

We do not know who the elect are, so we preach the gospel to all. And notice that this preaching (proclaiming the gospel) was done by both men and women. This isn’t talking about becoming preachers in churches, but rather preaching the gospel to the lost out in the world. This is to be the labor of all Christians.

2 Corinthians 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled US to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to US the ministry of reconciliation;

2 Corinthians 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed UNTO US the word of reconciliation.

2 Corinthians 5:20 Now then WE ARE ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

According to the above passage, God has given EVERYONE WHO IS SAVED a ministry. That ministry is to give people “the word of reconciliation” (the gospel), as ambassadors for Christ. Again, we do not know who the elect are, so we are to preach the gospel unto all.