predestination

Scripture clearly teaches that our "choosing" God is preempted by His salvation. While we may "choose" to follow Him, that choice is not possible as a result of our free will, but as a result of God freeing our will to be able to choose Him. God always is the first cause in our salvation, at the very least. Thinking on this, though, people very often have objections, such as "we need free will so that we may choose God" or "we need free will such that we may choose to love" or something along that line of thought. These are questions that are difficult when we consider the nature of our will, but I'm not addressing those now (however, if you want me to, I can another time). What I'm wondering is this: why do we fight so hard for the case of free will? Why does it matter to us?

I don't even know how to start this... but please, know that I am writing this not to prove that I am right or to demote anyone's role in ministry or any such thing, although I think I will make some bold statements. I think... I don't understand this approach that some people have to the propagation of the gospel. That approach being... we get to know someone, and then introduce it to them gradually as they become more comfortable with us. I have nothing against it, at least at the surface. I do the same thing myself! I don't always tell people about the wonderful gospel the first time I meet them. But when I think about it... something stinks about that scenario. The gospel is the very testimony of Jesus Christ, around whom my life pivots, but even more He is the Axis Of History, the One for Whom the universe was created. The very being of anyone on earth is directly related at all times to the Person of Jesus Christ. The gospel should be one of, if not the first thing that we share with someone we meet, should it not? But... we don't... I don't. Why not?

Hey friends! Sorry it's been so long since I have blogged, I don't really have much of an excuse! I'll record a video update sometime this week, though, let you know what I have been up to. Let's get to it! Lately, our desperate need to pursue God has been heavy on my heart. A friend told me the night before last that she, in essence, sensed that something was wrong with the Church. For all we do (and I'm including my present occupation in Youth With A Mission) at times, there seem to be relatively few new people being converted. Why?

You know, theology. No... I do not have it all figured out, actually, I do not have all the answers. Not by a long shot. As I've said to Aidan several times over the last few days, there as been dozens, probably hundreds of authors... theologians and philosophers... that have written thousands of volumes on philosophy and theology. In the end, doesn't it seem that no one ends up "winning"? This has been going on for thousands of years.

The other day, I was thinking about our faith, about how we come about to having faith, grace, what that all actually means. I've now dwelt on one thought for a few days, something that just kind of struck me, and it is as the title of this blog: election is actually necessary. When I say election, this is what I'm meaning: God elects those whom He saves, and He does all the saving: no human can save themselves. I will refer to it as predestination too, likely, as Scripture tells us that God made this choice before we are born.