What You Are Destined For

Since we're not afraid of tackling the hard stuff, why don't we just go ahead and tackle a theological argument that has divided many Christians throughout the centuries (since Peter has brought it up twice now): Predestination vs Free Will. Read again 1 Peter 1:1-2, and 2:7-8. What is he saying here? To stir the pot even more, read Paul's comment on this very issue in Romans 9:7-33 (notice he uses the same "stumbling stone" verse. Keep on reading, if you like).

Peter knew the concept of foreknowledge better than anyone. When he made what he thought was the most sacrificial statement of his faith, "I will lay down my life for you," Jesus told him that within 24 hours, Peter will disown him 3 times. But don't forget, eventually Peter did lay down his life (he died as a martyr). You see, Jesus never said he wouldn't. He did ask Peter if he really would lay down his life. The choice was up to Peter. The thing is, I believe Jesus wanted that kind of sacrificial faith from Peter. He just knew Peter's faith better than Peter did, and he knew that Peter wasn't quite at that level of sacrifice at that moment. And perhaps because God knew Peter's potential, He put events like this and others in Peter's life to build his faith until it became that sacrificial faith.

So this is how I try to understand it: "pre-destination" is God enabling those that He foresees will make the sacrifice and submit to Him. Our act of free will is key, but so is His enabling. We must believe. He enables us to believe. And He does because He knows our choice.

Simple, and yet, complex. That's God for you.

And feel free to disagree with me here, or add your own comments. Isn't it fun to dive deep into His Word?