The word "predestinated" in Rom. 8:29,30, Eph.1:11, or "predestinating" in Eph. 1:5 can be rendered "marked out beforehand". Marking out beforehand is the process, whereas predestination is the purpose, which is to determine a destiny beforehand. God's marking us out beforehand was to destinate us unto sonship (having not only His life but also the position of a son to Him). We were predestinated to be sons of God even before we were created. (footnotes 1 & 2 of Eph. 1:5)

It is indeed so wonderful and marvelous that our God predestinated us unto sonship through Jesus Christ to Himself. But some questions may arise here. First, one may think if I was predestinated already, no matter what will happen to me, I shall be saved and still a son of God. Or in other words, should I still need to believe into Him to have the eternal life (John 3:16)? Secondly, "predestinated" seems to indicate that some will be sons of God, and some will not. Will this contradict to God's desire of all men to be saved (1 Tim. 2:4)?

We have to realize that anything has two sides, and God's truth has no exemption. Had not God predestinated us unto sonship to Him, no one could be saved. But at the other hand, if we do not believe into Him, there is no way for Him to enter in us to be our life and life supply.

Our Omnipotent God created the universe and man according to His will, and naturally everything belongs to Him. Yet as for the salvation of born again, God would not force anyone to accept it, rather, he or she needs the belief to receive it. Once you believe into Him, you would have eternal life, and this salvation is predestinated by God. More than that, all the believers are predestinated, and no one believer is not predestinated.

There is an interesting and humorous story given by brother Watchman Nee in his Gospel Dialogue. It goes as follows. On the outside of the door of heaven, a verse shows "Whosoever will may come" (Rev.22:17 KJV) or "Whosoever believeth in Him ( John 3:16) is welcome". After entering through the door of heaven one looks back at the inside of the door, another verse says "You were predestinated". This really shows the two sides of God's truth as well as God's wisdom.

The verse "Whosoever believes shall be saved" is mainly to unbelievers. However, God's predestination is the word reserved for believers only, and should not be spoken to unbelievers. Predestination is God's business, not ours. As for the truth of being saved, all we need to do is just "believe into Him". Although we do not understand completely the meaning of the word "predestination", we may realize that being saved in Him is altogether His predestinating us. Surely we were no better than any one else, yet He predestinated us. What can we say except Hallelujah!

Our God is God of love. Indeed He desires all men to be saved. Consequently, we should not think that He would predestinate this one to be saved and that one not saved. Furthermore, the truth of being saved lays on our side not on God's, in other words, we have the freedom to receive it or deny it. This should be quite clear.

After being saved, we still need to labor and strive to preach gospel and to get people saved. We truly believe that whosoever is saved must have indeed been predestinated by God. We should not study, nor analyse, nor try to find out which one was predestinated by God. Let's just do our part and fulfill our responsibility.

Bro. Joseph