But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15
I can’t tell you the date or time when I became a Christian. I know of people who can tell you the day they were born again, and refer to that day at their spiritual birthday. But that is not my experience, I do not have a day and time along the road to Damascus like Paul, where his life changed seemingly 180 degrees in one moment of bright light. I can’t think of a time when God was not part of my life in some way or another.
Pre-destination or free will – There is a field of landmines that I dare not enter. People far smarter than me can argue on either side of it, and it can raise blood to the boiling point of some people. Unfortunately, in the history of the church it has caused countless loss of life and bloodshed, it has caused pain and division. Far too often we fall into the trap that it must be one or the other. More and more, I think that to some degree, it is not “either/or”, but “yes and.” Somehow both are true as the same time.
Tim Keller writes, Here are two crucial biblical truths that must be held together —everything we do is part of God’s plan, yet we are never coerced and are completely responsible for our actions. Without the first truth we are stressed by believing it’s all up to us how our lives go. Without the second truth we will think our choices don’t really matter. Believe this doctrine and escape both complacency and anxiety.”1
And I have no answer that would cause the divisions to cease and bring peace to the warring parties, but, if I am forced to choose between God’s sovereignty and my free will, I am picking God’s sovereignty every time. Again these words will not end the debate, or bring healing to those who have been hurt in the war, but from my own very personal feelings, this is why I pick God’s sovereignty
- Despite all of the pain in the world, (including my own current season of deep grief), despite all of the claims of injustice, for me, it far more comforting that God is in control rather than to be at the whim of fallen people. I am too weak of a man to find any comfort in the idea that I can choose my eternal destination or destiny.
- God’s knowledge, love, and power are far greater than mine, for me to say that I can choose what is best for me, better than he can. I cannot fathom his love for me and the fact that he knows and work all things for my benefit.
Having said all that, I truly believe that there must be a point in every Christian’s life where they must acknowledge who God is and His plan for our lives. I remember singing, “I have decided to follow Jesus” as a teenager with passion, and a determination to make it so. I remember singing it as a declaration of my intent, with a resolution that I wanted people to know that I was choosing to follow Jesus.
I am unable to refute those who argue that pre-destination leaves us no responsibility or those that argue free will diminishes God’s sovereignty. I can live with the mystery of the paradox, knowing that God is in control and loves us. I also know that I belong to God, and that I must take ownership and responsibility to grow in my relationship with Him.
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:11-12
1.The Songs of Jesus p. 268
A Long Intentional Walk 