Inside the Fence

"Having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will." - Ephesians 1:5 (NKJV)

A few years ago in the NFL draft, Eli Manning was the quarterback the Chargers wanted. But Archie Manning, his father, made it clear publicly: "If you draft him, he's not going to come and play for you." It was pretty brazen, but he made it plain. "You may choose him, but he's not choosing you." The Chargers ended up with Philip Rivers instead, and Eli went to the Giants and won two Super Bowls. The Chargers chose Eli, but Eli did not choose the Chargers.

The words "chosen", "election", and "predestination" carry a lot of theological baggage, don't they? Some think these words mean God created some people for heaven and others for hell, and there's nothing one can do about it. You may have chosen Him, but He may not have chosen you.  Is that what those words mean?

The word "predestined" comes from "pro," meaning "ahead of time," and "orizo," meaning "boundary." Picture God creating a fence from before the foundation of the world. This was also before any person was ever born. This fence is Christ. Inside the fence is God's plan of salvation. Anyone who accepts Jesus is inside the fence and saved. Anyone who doesn't accept Jesus is outside the fence and not saved.

Albert Barnes, a commentator, said this election means nothing but this: what God does, He intended to do. God is a God of purpose and forethought. It's not like God created Adam and Eve, they sinned, and God was up in heaven saying, "I didn't expect that. What am I going to do now?" No, God knew it would happen and had this plan ready.

The Father is concerned about everyone. Jesus was crucified for everyone. The Holy Spirit convicts everyone. And the Bible calls everyone. If you're hearing this message right now, stop worrying about whether you're elect. Realize that you have the opportunity to respond to God's loving call. Give your life to Him, and forever you will be one of God's "elect".

To put it simply, predestination is not about a man; it is about a plan. God predestined a plan of salvation, not a specific person to be saved. God wants every person to give their lives to Him. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world..." Jesus' blood is sufficient to pay for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2). Not all will accept, but God predetermined before anyone lived that anyone in Christ would be saved. Praise God for His salvation plan!

Reflection Question: How does understanding predestination as God's plan of salvation in Christ, rather than God choosing some for heaven and some for hell, change your view of sharing the gospel with others?

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for creating a way of salvation that's available to everyone. Help me to understand that Your predestination is about Your plan, not about excluding people from Your love. Give me boldness to share this good news with others, knowing that You desire all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. In Jesus' Name, amen.

Adapted from "God's Eternal Plan" (Ephesians 1:4-6): https://www.joshfranklin.org/media/zqvqn4g/3-god-s-eternal-plan-eph-1-4-6