Predestinations and election are preeminently useful and practical doctrines for all Christians, as the very hope of eternal justification rests upon these eternal decrees of God. The Puritan William Perkins described foreknowledge, predestination, calling, justification and glorification as one golden chain of redemption upon which hang the assurance of salvation for everyone that believes. This golden chain is given in the scripture for the building up of the faith of Christ's own.
Foreknowledge and predestination are linked in eternity past as the sovereign Lord chose and then created a people to place His love upon that they in turn might love their Savior. God has determined the destiny of all his creatures beforehand according to the counsel of His own will, and the purpose of this predestination is that all the redeemed may be conformed to the likeness of Jesus Christ. In the fullness of time, the Holy Spirit effectually calls the elect of the Lord working out salvation through faith, creating a heart of repentance and enabling belief.
These doctrines are not the invention of man, nor are they the idle curiosities of theologians; these doctrines are comforting words from God to His saints. Salvation never depends upon the will of man, and God is able to preserve the people He has called. In those times when Christians have doubts about their own salvation, they should grasp at any link in this chain for their sustenance.
Nathan Eshelman is a graduate of Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, in Grand Rapids, MI. He served as an intern under Rev. Ray B. Lanning of First Reformed Presbyterian Church (Grand Rapids, MI) for a number of years before being being called to pastor the Los Angeles congregation....
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