fatalistic?

In the previous blog, I explained that God had, on the one hand, predetermined all mankind to be justified and to receive imperishable life, but on the other hand, that only some are chosen to obtain eonian life. In connection with this, I received some comments from people who thought that this was a fatalistic message. In that manner, someone from Urk (a community in the Netherlands) wrote, that it reminded her of what is taught in many churches in her hometown. “It has to be given you” and “you have to be predestined for it,” is what is heard from the pulpit in her district. I can imagine this association. Concepts such as predestination and election have a pitch-black charge in some ultra reformation corners. The vast majority of humanity awaits an eternal hell and damnation, to which they have been fatally destined. Terrible! How different it is when we know the Evangel. Also then, we encounter predestination, but of a very different kind:

So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. -Romans 5:18- (NASB)

The first part, taken by itself, is fatal. After all, there is no escape. We are all, in advance condemned to come into this world as sinners and mortals. There’s no one on earth who has chosen this. But for Paul is this sad fact no less than a shadow of the Evangel. For, as one transgression irrevocably condemns all of mankind, even so will one act of righteousness really justify all of mankind. The comparison is perfect! And concerning the predestination for eonian life (=the life of the coming eon; Luke 18:30): that neither is a destination determined by fate, but a very special privilege. When God elects some, that is never because the rest does not interest Him, but it is for the purpose to bless the rest. He chose Abraham, that through him all the families of the earth would be blessed. Predestination in Scripture is never exclusive, but always inclusive. The message of the Evangel confronts man with a God Who is not only the Creator, but also the Savior of all the people, absolutely freely (gratuitously). Happy is he who wholeheartedly and cheerfully believes this!

Faithful is the saying and worthy of all welcome (for for this are we toiling and being reproached), that we rely on the living God, Who is the Saviour of all mankind, especially of believers. These things be charging and teaching. -1Timothy 4:9-11-

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