Day 59

Of God’s Decree

Chapter 3, Paragraph 4.

“These angels and men thus predestinated, and fore-ordained, are particularly, and unchangeably designed; and their number so certain, and definite, that it cannot be either increased, or diminished.“

Scripture Lookup

2 Timothy 2:19.

John 13:18.

Reflection

God does not change.

We constantly need reminding of this. So, once again,

GOD DOES NOT CHANGE!

This applies to God’s decree as well. God has “freely and unchangeably” decreed “all things whatsoever comes to pass”. And God has decreed who will inherit eternal life through Jesus Christ. That number is fixed. We do not know the magnitude of that number, but the Lord definitely does.

This takes the pressure off of us when we evangelize. We do not need to notch our belt every time someone is converted through our efforts. Evangelism is not some multi-level marketing scheme, where the more converts we get somehow boost us closer to heaven! Rather, we proclaim the Gospel freely, knowing that those God has chosen are out there, and we can trust that He will not lose any.

“The Lord knows who are His.” What a comfort for the Christian! God is intimately acquainted with His people. Even when we wrestle with assurance, when doubt and despair threaten to doom us, we can know that He knows us and will not turn away any who come to Him. If we are elect, we are His; we cannot lose our salvation. Trust in the infinite wisdom of His decree, and live accordingly.

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. -Romans 8:38,39

Questions to Consider

• How does knowing the number of elect is fixed affect your attitude towards evangelism?