Evangelism Q1 - Predestination

I guess, seeing as I had a role in RICE E1 as the evangelism guy, now is a pretty good time to share all the stuff we brushed up on. Just to know (and for a chance for me to teach it! Because that way I should theoretically remember 95% of it... which is GOOD).

First up is the issue of Predestination.

Predestination is the idea that we, as human beings, were predestined from birth for heaven or hell. While this is true, God gave us free will so that we could choose to follow His way or the world. With the acceptance of these simultaneous truths (you can't have one or the other, or else your view of this issue is one-sided) a few questions arise.

Are we saved by faith? Or did God come down and reach out His saving hand? Or is it a combination of the two?

In the Old Testament, God saved only the Godly men, with the bible emphasising that point repeatedly. (For example, in Genesis 6:9, it describes Noah as being 'blameless' and 'walking with the Lord'.) From this, we can conclude that only people that fit both criterion, faith and God's saving hand, can be saved.

However, after Jesus' sacrifice for our sins changes this situation completely. His sacrifice, His act of pure and utter love for us, bridges the gap between God and us that developed due to our sin. He makes it possible for us to have a loving, personal relationship with God.

We know from Paul's teachings, (1 Corinthians 3:6) that even though that we may plant the seeds of faith and water it, God is the one that makes it grow. It is the same with our own personal relationship with Christ. The seed may have been planted and watered, but it is only by God's saving grace and will that we are saved. In the same way, the seed inside us may have been planted by other people, but it could have only taken root if God had allowed it so. God has effectively predestined us for heaven.

But what is the point of this discussion? Is it worth getting all mixed up in the issue of predestination? No! What is more important is that God knows and wants to know every single one of you, and that is a pretty obvious act of love. As the guys know from 1 Timothy, we need to not get ensnared up in all the grey areas of Christianity. As long as the focus is on God and living His word.

To non believers, this is a pretty troubling thought, especially as many understand the ethics of our way of life and know that "so-and-so from my family will definitely end up in hell if it exists. God can't be good if he predestined them." I say (not argue! Never argue as an evangelist! I think that was rule number 1 haha), "God gave all of us a choice."

Just a shout out for UQES (although I'm pretty sure you guys who read my blog are already members, with the exception of YOU KNOW WHO who studies at another university some distance away. You have a christian organisation there, don't you? JOIN IT). It's such an awesome thing, to see people brave enough at uni to stick their hands up and follow God even in the midst of so much hatred for religion.

(p.s. guys if I got anything wrong, feel free to correct me)