by Allyn Smith

Created on: June 06, 2009   Last Updated: September 20, 2010

The doctrine of predestination and election are biblical truths; (Eph 1:4,5;1:11 Pt 1:2) Strongs Concordance lists more than a dozen other verses where the elect are talked about. Romans 8:10,11 also tells us the saved are predestinated. The saved were saved "from before the foundation of the world"(Eph 1:4) and were written in the book of life from the foundation of the world (Rev 17:8 & many other places).Paul says at least 11 times in chapter 9 that God chooses the saved and lost. He also says the lost are fitted for destruction (when you destroy something you render it useless). If you are fitted for something, doesn't it fit? For example: the fish are fitted for water, the birds are fitted for flight. Jesus said the lost love the darkness (John3:19) and hate the light (John 3:20). Therefore, they are fitted to love the darkness.

There is no free-will if you are elected, predestinated or fitted for your eternity. But since we know that we make choices every day, how can they not be free, then? How can we make choices and have everything be predetermined?

Does God do the thinking and choosing for us? NO. Man is born "dead in sin and trespasses". If God did our thinking for us He would dead in sin and trespasses, too. That is impossible. God cannot sin against himself.

Are we puppets, being pulled around at the will of our puppet master like a stone you kick to wherever you want? NO. Puppets can't love or know that they are loved. God purposed that "we should be Holy and without blame before Him in love"(Eph 1:4) Gods purpose for the creation is to love and be loved. God is infinite in His power wisdom and love. God couldn't have a loving relationship with a puppet or a stone, even though it is His nature to love them.

The answer has to be, that He guides us, indirectly. And that is what Jeremiah, Solomon and Paul said:”I know that the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man, that walketh, to direct his steps”(Jer 10:20) "A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directs his steps."(Prov. 16:9) “Man’s goings are of the Lord; how can a man then understand his own way?”(Prov 20:24) “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and do His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13) This verse tells us that not only does God cause us to do what He wants, but to wish to do it. How can you refuse to do something He makes you wish to do?

We have a conditioned will. It is conditioned by

1. Ability: we have to be physically

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