When the solemn and blessed subject of Divine foreordination is expounded, when God’s eternal choice of certain ones to be conformed to the image of His Son is set forth, the Enemy sends along some man to argue that election is based upon the foreknowledge of God, and this "foreknowledge" is interpreted to mean that God foresaw certain ones would be more pliable than others, that they would respond more readily to the strivings of the Spirit, and that because God knew they would believe, He, accordingly, predestinated them unto salvation. But such a statement is radically wrong. It repudiates the truth of total depravity, for it argues that there is something good in some men. It takes away the independency of God, for it makes His decrees rest upon what He discovers in the creature. It completely turns things upside down, for in saying God foresaw certain sinners would believe in Christ, and that because of this, He predestinated them unto salvation, is the very reverse of the truth. Scripture affirms that God, in His high sovereignty, singled out certain ones to be recipients of His distinguishing favors (Acts 13:48), and therefore He determined to bestow upon them the gift of faith. False theology makes God’s foreknowledge of our believing the cause of His election to salvation; whereas, God’s election is the cause, and our believing in Christ is the effect.From A.W. Pink's The Attributes of God (emphasis added)
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Pink on The Foreknowledge of God
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2 comments:
Scripture is clear that God knew in advance; but I do not know who will come to Him. I have a concern is that some who know believe the truth of predestination, then say that we should not share the gospel since God will just bring who He wants to Himself. Although I know it is absolutely the Holy Spirit who draws people to God, I'm grateful that sometimes He chooses to use us in that process. I also have absolutely no understanding of why He chooses who He has/does; because I'm one of the chosen I KNOW that it has nothing to do with merit, that it is all in His goodness and mercy.
Tracy,
I feel the same way. I haven't actually met anyone who believes we shouldn't share the gospel though. I have ran into that issue with someone opposing predestination and using that as, "Well, there is no need to share the gospel then." Of course, this denies scripture since how can anyone believe without hearing The Word? We don't know who are His elect and should follow His command to share the Gospel with everyone we know!
His Mercy is amazing!
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