"GOD’S DECREE" (An Article by Christian Henry) - 3/20/25

“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)

“...My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:” (Isaiah 46:10)

Today we’re looking at God's eternal decisions or will, His directives, and eternal plan. God has decided in Himself and by Himself from all eternity all things which will ever come to pass. He did this by the most wise and holy counsel of His own will, freely and unchangeably, and there was nothing that forced Him in the making of any of these plans, and all those intentions will be carried out without the slightest alteration. God does this so that He is neither the author of sin nor has mutual responsibility with any committing sin.

God's wisdom is fully displayed in ordering the course of all events as well as His power and faithfulness in accomplishing that decree. God's faithfulness here means His unswerving conformity to His holy character and His revealed Word.

By the decree of God and for the expression and revealing of His glory, some are predestinated or foreordained to eternal life through Jesus Christ so that His glorious grace might be revealed and praised. Others are left to their sin which will end in their just condemnation so that His glorious justice might also be shown and praised. The number of those people is so certain and definite that it cannot be increased or diminished. Those predestined to life, God chose before the foundation of the world by His eternal and unchanging purpose. God chose them in Christ for everlasting glory, solely out of His free grace and love, without anything in the creature playing part in His decision to do so. Nothing in the person was taken into consideration.

As God has appointed the elect to glory, so, by His will's eternal and utterly free intention, He has foreordained all the means of bringing their salvation about. Accordingly, those elected, being fallen in Adam are: redeemed by Christ, effectually called to faith in Christ by His Spirit working in due season, justified, adopted, and sanctified. His power also keeps them through faith unto salvation; only those elect are redeemed by Christ and gain many benefits from it.

The doctrine of the great mystery of predestination is to be handled with special discretion and care so that those heeding the will of God revealed in His Word and yielding obedience to it may be assured of their eternal security.

This doctrine should provide cause for praise, reverence, and admiration of God. It also provides cause for humility, diligence, and great comfort to all who sincerely obey the Gospel.