Predestination, a Biblical Truth
Lyn Mize
The Scriptures
unequivocally teach the predestination of
believers to spirit salvation. Both Calvinists
and Arminians teach predestination, but they
disagree on the basis of the predestination for
believers. There are numerous Scriptures
declaring the predestination of believers, but
the following are the clearest:
(Rom 8:28-30 KJV) And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. {29} For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. {30} Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
(Eph 1:5 KJV) Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
(Eph 1:11 KJV) In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
As noted above, the split among the denominations along the line of Calvinism versus Arminianism does not pertain to the belief or unbelief in predestination, but the reason for the predestination by God. Basically, and very simplistically, the Arminian believes that God looked down the corridors of time and knew ahead of time who was going to believe in Jesus, and based on this knowledge, God chose or elected these people to salvation. The Calvinist believes that God looked down the corridors of time, determined beforehand the ones that He loved, and elected them to salvation.
The primary difference between the Calvinist and the Arminian is that the Calvinist believes that God chooses the ones He will save, and the Arminian believes that man chooses God. The Scriptures are very clear that God does the choosing in spirit salvation. The Calvinist believes that spirit salvation is of the Lord, and the Arminian believes that spirit salvation is of the man.
The reason for the strong disagreement between Calvinists and Arminians is the failure of both to understand the difference between soul salvation and spirit salvation. The Calvinists take the Scriptures that address spirit salvation, which can never be lost, but they ignore the Scriptures on the loss of the soul at the Judgment Seat of Christ. The Arminians take the Scriptures that apply to the conditional nature of soul salvation and apply them to spirit salvation. Both fail to distinguish between God’s Covenant of Grace in spirit salvation and God’s Covenant of Works in soul salvation.
Spirit salvation is unconditional in regard to any works by man. This includes works before spirit salvation and works after spirit salvation. Even the Calvinist greatly errs in this respect, since he assumes that works will naturally follow spirit salvation, and he assumes that if works do not follow, then the person must not be saved spiritually. This error has permeated the Church and numerous Christians assume others are not saved if they do not measure up to a preset standard.
Calvinists have stated such things as an alcoholic cannot be saved, a homosexual cannot be saved, anyone voting for Kerry cannot be saved and other such nonsensical statements that have no Scriptural support. Just because a person has been born again spiritually does not mean that he will be a faithful disciple. In fact, there are numerous Scriptures that confirm the unfaithfulness of the majority of Christians. The unfaithfulness of a Christian does not negate his spirit salvation, but it does affect his reward, which is entrance into the kingdom of heaven. Many Christians will be found unfaithful at the Judgment Seat of Christ, but they will still enter heaven and be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. There will be great shame with weeping and gnashing of teeth when they realize the loss of their inheritance in the kingdom of heaven, but they will still be saved “yet so as by fire.”
(1 Cor 3:15 KJV) If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
Soul salvation is conditioned upon good works, but spirit salvation is not conditioned upon good works. If good works automatically follow spirit salvation, then the numerous Scriptures warning us about our Christian lives are unnecessary.
The erroneous belief that a Christian will automatically perform good works has resulted in numerous Christians questioning their own salvation and the salvation of others. The leavening process in the Church has greatly perverted the doctrinal teachings about salvation. One of the primary differences between Sardis Christianity and Laodicean Christianity is that the Sardis Christian says an unfaithful Christian was never truly saved, but the Laodicean Christian says the unfaithful Christian was once saved, but he lost his salvation because of unfaithfulness. The truth in most cases is that the person was truly saved in the first place, but he either never became a disciple of the Lord, or he fell away from the faith at some point in time. He is still saved.
Summary
The Predestination of Christians to spirit salvation is a Biblical truth. The unconditional election of Christians to spirit salvation is clearly taught in the Scriptures. The accountability of Christians at the Judgment Seat of Christ is also clearly taught in the Scriptures, but the faithfulness of Christians has no bearing upon their spirit salvation, even though it does have a bearing upon soul salvation and the rewards earned at the Judgment Seat of Christ. The very simple statement that sums up the difference between spirit salvation and soul salvation is as follows:
Salvation is by Grace, but rewards are according to Works.
The Arminian has hopelessly confused the loss of reward at the Judgment Seat of Christ with the loss of spirit salvation, while the Calvinist has relegated the unfaithful Christian to the ranks of the lost. Both have committed gross doctrinal error in not distinguishing between Grace and Works. The predestination of Christians to spirit salvation is by Grace, but the conditional nature of soul salvation is the responsibility of Christians. Each Christian will be held accountable for the condition of his soul/life at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Many Christians will experience shame and the contempt of the Lord Jesus Christ, but others will receive glory and great honor with the memory of their lives extending into eternity. This is the realization of eternal life at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
(Rom 2:6-7 KJV) Who (i.e., God) will render to every man according to his deeds: {7} To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
Eternal life pertains to the soul and not the spirit. Eternal life is the receipt of glory, honor and immortality.
(Rom 8:28-30 KJV) And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. {29} For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. {30} Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
(Eph 1:5 KJV) Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
(Eph 1:11 KJV) In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
As noted above, the split among the denominations along the line of Calvinism versus Arminianism does not pertain to the belief or unbelief in predestination, but the reason for the predestination by God. Basically, and very simplistically, the Arminian believes that God looked down the corridors of time and knew ahead of time who was going to believe in Jesus, and based on this knowledge, God chose or elected these people to salvation. The Calvinist believes that God looked down the corridors of time, determined beforehand the ones that He loved, and elected them to salvation.
The primary difference between the Calvinist and the Arminian is that the Calvinist believes that God chooses the ones He will save, and the Arminian believes that man chooses God. The Scriptures are very clear that God does the choosing in spirit salvation. The Calvinist believes that spirit salvation is of the Lord, and the Arminian believes that spirit salvation is of the man.
The reason for the strong disagreement between Calvinists and Arminians is the failure of both to understand the difference between soul salvation and spirit salvation. The Calvinists take the Scriptures that address spirit salvation, which can never be lost, but they ignore the Scriptures on the loss of the soul at the Judgment Seat of Christ. The Arminians take the Scriptures that apply to the conditional nature of soul salvation and apply them to spirit salvation. Both fail to distinguish between God’s Covenant of Grace in spirit salvation and God’s Covenant of Works in soul salvation.
Spirit salvation is unconditional in regard to any works by man. This includes works before spirit salvation and works after spirit salvation. Even the Calvinist greatly errs in this respect, since he assumes that works will naturally follow spirit salvation, and he assumes that if works do not follow, then the person must not be saved spiritually. This error has permeated the Church and numerous Christians assume others are not saved if they do not measure up to a preset standard.
Calvinists have stated such things as an alcoholic cannot be saved, a homosexual cannot be saved, anyone voting for Kerry cannot be saved and other such nonsensical statements that have no Scriptural support. Just because a person has been born again spiritually does not mean that he will be a faithful disciple. In fact, there are numerous Scriptures that confirm the unfaithfulness of the majority of Christians. The unfaithfulness of a Christian does not negate his spirit salvation, but it does affect his reward, which is entrance into the kingdom of heaven. Many Christians will be found unfaithful at the Judgment Seat of Christ, but they will still enter heaven and be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. There will be great shame with weeping and gnashing of teeth when they realize the loss of their inheritance in the kingdom of heaven, but they will still be saved “yet so as by fire.”
(1 Cor 3:15 KJV) If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
Soul salvation is conditioned upon good works, but spirit salvation is not conditioned upon good works. If good works automatically follow spirit salvation, then the numerous Scriptures warning us about our Christian lives are unnecessary.
The erroneous belief that a Christian will automatically perform good works has resulted in numerous Christians questioning their own salvation and the salvation of others. The leavening process in the Church has greatly perverted the doctrinal teachings about salvation. One of the primary differences between Sardis Christianity and Laodicean Christianity is that the Sardis Christian says an unfaithful Christian was never truly saved, but the Laodicean Christian says the unfaithful Christian was once saved, but he lost his salvation because of unfaithfulness. The truth in most cases is that the person was truly saved in the first place, but he either never became a disciple of the Lord, or he fell away from the faith at some point in time. He is still saved.
Summary
The Predestination of Christians to spirit salvation is a Biblical truth. The unconditional election of Christians to spirit salvation is clearly taught in the Scriptures. The accountability of Christians at the Judgment Seat of Christ is also clearly taught in the Scriptures, but the faithfulness of Christians has no bearing upon their spirit salvation, even though it does have a bearing upon soul salvation and the rewards earned at the Judgment Seat of Christ. The very simple statement that sums up the difference between spirit salvation and soul salvation is as follows:
Salvation is by Grace, but rewards are according to Works.
The Arminian has hopelessly confused the loss of reward at the Judgment Seat of Christ with the loss of spirit salvation, while the Calvinist has relegated the unfaithful Christian to the ranks of the lost. Both have committed gross doctrinal error in not distinguishing between Grace and Works. The predestination of Christians to spirit salvation is by Grace, but the conditional nature of soul salvation is the responsibility of Christians. Each Christian will be held accountable for the condition of his soul/life at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Many Christians will experience shame and the contempt of the Lord Jesus Christ, but others will receive glory and great honor with the memory of their lives extending into eternity. This is the realization of eternal life at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
(Rom 2:6-7 KJV) Who (i.e., God) will render to every man according to his deeds: {7} To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
Eternal life pertains to the soul and not the spirit. Eternal life is the receipt of glory, honor and immortality.