Day 

1 Eph. 1:11

2 Rom. 11:33

3 Rom. 9:14-18

4 Eph. 1:4

5 Rom. 9:22-23

6 Ps. 33:11

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Many have often marveled at how the reformers could in the midst of civil war and a church being torn asunder, pen such documents that made a clear and concise statement of faith, yet endured the test of time. Here we see another key doctrine of the Reformed church passed beneath the nose of those who would have shred her to pieces. Almost as if a slap in the face to the monarchs of their day, here the seventeenth century reformers declare God is God and you aren’t to those who would set themselves above His church and the governing of the nations.

None through the ages have dared to declare that God was not sovereign, though they have forever proceeded to act as if this was not in the least true. Though many have balked at this statement, especially concerning "foreordained" and "predestination." This is a distinctive of the Presbyterian church, and none have ever set to flight this declaration of truth. The reformers chose only one or two verses for each element in the answers to the these questions. Yet, even this meager "proof-text" is enough to cause the most scholarly of the world and church to stagger before God’s truth, and bow to His eternal Word.

The wording , "... especially concerning angels and men." deals with Limited Atonement, the third petal of the TULIP. Most will admit to Total Depravity, though they fall far short of God’s Word about the depravity of man, history vindicates the Bible and they reluctantly give ground. Everyone loves Unmerited Grace and rush to the altar for its distribution. Many perhaps falter over Irresistible Grace and were the truth known, this is perhaps the majority, as the creature tends to exalt itself, even before the throne of the Most High. And with a sovereign God who alone has saved man, why should not the TULIP burst into full bloom with a sovereign God who both began their salvation, and who will end it. Here we have all the petals of the Tulip displayed to the Glory of God, our beginning and end.

Paul taught us to "teach" this doctrine with care, for many will not accept it. He never gave us permission to trash it, but did say not make it an issue among the new or weaker brothers. The fact that God created every thing for the one purpose of glorifying Himself is abundantly clear from the Scared Volume. The Scriptures also say that "creation" declares the glory of God. This being true, then how can any cavil over the height of this creation (angels and men) being the only portion of the creation able to actively fulfill God’s purpose of His own glory This then places a special responsibility upon angels and men; whereby we find they are the only part of God’s creation to stand before the judgment seat.

Then as we note that God brought all into existence from nothing by the counsel and will of His own purpose, for His own glory, we also begin to grasp what the eternal decrees have to do with the glory of God. God’s purpose being to glorify Himself being the first priority of all that unfolds then at the utterance of His all powerful Word. Here we see that nothing short of this marvelous universe with such diversity, yet unity of existence reflecting the glory and power of its Creator could begin to glorify God in a way that befit the one and true living God. As we search the detail and order of this creation we begin to see God’s wisdom glorified. In His overthrow of all living things in the flood we see the perfection of His anger and wrath glorified. Yet love and mercy are the most desirable of the attributes God has revealed to us. So much so that John saw fit to declare that "God is love." In all of His creation what could better glorify God’s love and mercy than the salvation of rebellious mankind through the blood of His Son?

Here in the eternal decree of God’s love and mercy, the salvation of man shines as the brightest jewel in the diadem of the Monarch Supreme, Lord of Lord and King of kings. It is small wonder then that even the angels desire to delve into and understand this marvelous revelation of God. Here in God’s glory, the Reformed TULIP stands as a sentinel, lest any wander, and fail in this the prime objective of all creation, but more especially the redeemed, to bow before God in obedience, that He might receive all the honor and glory!

What then are the decrees, and where are the limits? I have no limits I would dare try and lay to the charge of God. I find great comfort in a God who has foreordained all that happens. It is only serving such a God that I could know any peace and comfort in this temporal world. With my sovereign God, Paul’s words are peace to the tired and weary soul, sore tried by the world, "for all things work together for good ... ."

God’s eternal decrees then rest on His own existence, His sovereignty, and His own will. It was the nature of man from the beginning to rebel against the idea there is only one God, and there were none like Him. It was this lie Satan used against Eve "you will be like God." Since that faithful day, man has had a hard time bowing before anyone, even God. I see no other reason that can be given for man to balk at such an obvious truth from Scripture and the experience of life. Yet this distinctive of the Reformed church has long been the butt of cavil and jokes, which can be but blasphemy against a sovereign God. Nonetheless, it is indeed meat, and to be taught with care, love, and patience to the newcomer as directed by the wise counsel of the Apostle Paul. While central to the Reformed faith, and I believe biblical teaching; acceptance of this doctrine isn’t the first key in introducing our Lord and Savior to a hurting and lost world.

We will deal with the portion concerning angels and men in another lesson. For the time being I want to discuss with you the concept that God has foreordained whatsoever comes to pass in time. I believe we must consider here the difference of God’s so ordering all things that they work toward His glory, or what we know as providence, and what has been properly decreed, which cannot change.

The story of Joseph is a good example of God’s so ordering events that even that which is intended for evil works for the good of God’s people. Though we see one of the brothers take pity and convince his other brothers not to kill Joseph, he doesn’t have the courage to take his place as the oldest son and stop his brothers from harming Joseph. Years later after the presence of Joseph in Egypt, being there because his own brothers sold him as a slave, and being wrongfully accused and imprisoned in the meantime, all so ordered by God to have the right person in the right place to save His people and fulfill His word to Abram concerning the calling of His people from Egypt. This story alone should prove the truth of Romans wherein we read that all things work for good for those who love God. While perhaps not as far reaching as the life of Joseph, the history of the church is filled with the right man being where god needed Him to bring about His will in His time. Luther, Calvin, Knox, and many others of the reformation era can be seen in this light.

Though many take this statement further than I and do see it as "all" things being predestined, I believe it applies only to the election proper as a decree. The rest I leave to providence, or the working out in history by God of His own purpose. For example I see no reason for God to have so dealt with every detail that before the foundation of the world God chose the clothing I wore today, or what I had for breakfast. Not that God is not in the most minute detail of our life, but that much is left to the natural creation and the "choice" of the creature. Joshua asked the people of Israel whom they would serve. Did this mean the people could choose salvation in the eternal sense? I don’t think so, but they could choose whom they would obey (serve). All who listened to Joshua were not of the election. All of Israel are not Israelites! All in the covenant of grace are not saved in the eternal life or election sense of that word. Even the heathen can choose to obey God, and Paul says when they do that which is in accord with God’s law, they are a law unto themselves. This is not permission for man to make his own rules, but concedes the fact that man at times obeys God, even in ignorance.

If the most minute detail is predestined, then prayer is a waste, having been decided already. I do not think this is true, and deny that this is what the Bible teaches. The words "... especially concerning angels and men" is a significant wording chosen by the reformers in my opinion to say exactly what I am saying. That is the election stands, the number elected by God in the eternal counsel by his own will in counsel with Himself stands as a decree that cannot change. The rest will be worked out in time all to the glory of God and the good of those that love God. Thus we see Jonah preach to a city and that city repent and be spared for one hundred years. Nineveh was not saved as in eternal salvation, but was spared destruction during the generation that repented, and the next for the sake of the Word of God and the obedience to it. God’s justice demanded this city be destroyed. They were guilty of some of the most blood thirsty crimes of their day. As a whole they were as guilty as the cities of the plain in the day of Abraham, and God’s avenging fire had to fall. We see a man pray and his life extended for another 15 years. The point is, these things did not change the eternal plan of God, but they did show God’s power and glory to all men. They brought to the forefront God’s love and mercy, His longsuffering toward man, that in God’s time all the elect would be brought into the kingdom. I therefore believe that unless we are talking about an event that so affects the election, it can change, for it is not a decree of God, nor a specific word of promise. Such as, until the end the sun would rise and set. Life on earth depending upon the nourishment of the sun, for it not to continue its circuit would mean a change for those not yet born, but who nonetheless were elect. Yet the same sun can be made to stand still, and even time move backwards, because these miracles don’t change the eternal purpose of God nor violate His decree.

If this is not true, there is no glory to God, for He has nothing but mere puppets to serve Him, and that without will nor meaning. God has been careful in the outworking of His ordering of things then to vindicate Himself in history for the decree made before the creation concerning election. Why would the Sovereign God of creation need vindication? Because without it, there would be no glory. This denies God’s own Word that all was created for the sole purpose of His glory. Never forget that first question, "What is the chief end of man?" "To glorify God and enjoy Him forever."

This does not deny that whatsoever comes to pass was foreordained by God. God having all constantly before Him, past, present, and future indeed could change any single event of the finest detail, for He has numbered the hairs on the heads of the saints, all happens at least with the permission of God. So while God is an active Sovereign of the whole of creation, for the most part He allows things to proceed in accordance with the nature of things as He created them. The divine finger molding, opening, or closing events where needed to bring all to show His glory through the perfection of His love, mercy, patience, and care for His children as well as His justice and wrath toward the children of wrath. Ultimately then all is for the glory of God and all is so ordered to the good of those that love God. A great truth that remains hidden from man is that none love God unless He first draws them to Himself. By nature man is at war with God, for man is of darkness and God is of light. Every religion and culture to ever exists acknowledges this constant struggle between the forces of darkness and light, good and evil. Paul says the struggle is within man as the spirit of man struggles against the Spirit of God even within the elect. He further states that everywhere man goes, evil is present, because man is in the flesh and in the flesh dwells the will of man. Anything other than a God who so ordains all things would not bring about an end that glorified God and was good for His chosen people.

For our own well being we need to understand God is sovereign and in control, so ordering all things for our good. We need to embrace the sovereignty of God and hang on for life that His promise all things will work for good might bring comfort and hope into the darkness that must descend upon all mankind in God’s season. It was thus Peter warned us not to be surprised at the fiery trials that awaited, for they must come. Being forewarned and armed with the truth of God, it is impossible then for the elect to be ultimately cast into total despair. The better we understand and accept these truths, the better then we can quench the fiery darts of Satan in our season of trial. What hope is there for man if this be not true? Would we rather Satan, or no one be in control? Would we dare consider our eternal fate lay in the hands of another mere mortal? The orderliness of the universe and its consistencies attest that indeed God is in control, and our hope shall spring eternal in His Word made flesh.

For further thought: Why can a decree not be changed? What do you think God has decreed? Is there a difference in pre-ordained and a decree? Why is man not a mere robot because God has foreordained all that comes to pass?

For further Study: The Doctrine of election

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[1] In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: (Ephesians 1:11 AV)

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! (Romans 11:33 AV)

What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. (Romans 9:14-18 AV)

[2] According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: (Ephesians 1:4 AV)

What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: {fitted: or, made up} And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, (Romans 9:22-23 AV)