Is Jesus Big Enough?

A few months ago I was asked about my thoughts on predestination versus free-will. I immediately sat down to write a post about the conversation that I am once again attempting tonight. I stopped cold, though, because I could just imagine the reaction from the other side of the screen. "She's writing about what? Who, in the what on earth does she think she is?! It's not like she has a single freakin' clue what she's talking about."

And it's true, I'm not a theologian or even a seminary student. Actually, I have no desire to ever be a seminary student (not that I have a problem with seminaries). In addition to direct revelation from the Holy Spirit (which we who are in Christ all have), I prefer the broad range view of books and sermons from people I choose to listen to (in the increasingly rare time I can find to do so) because I see light and life in them. Because I have chosen this particular course of biblical study, I am often (and I mean quite often) faced with opposing doctrines....

Which is where study gets fun. If you've never felt your heart race as you flipped furiously through an index because you knew God was about to reveal Himself to you in a big way, well, you've been missing out. Big time.

Until just a few years ago, I looked very much like a ping pong ball in the battle between those who lean toward the free-will doctrine and those who believe in predestination.

"I chose God. God chose me. I chose God. God chose me."

You may find truth and comfort in just one of these views, but they both sounded right to me. I couldn't seem to find a middle ground, though, and I needed a soft place to land. Then, I heard someone describe the gates of heaven, saying that on this side of the gate there is a bright gold inscription that reads, "All who will may enter." But then, once through the gate, one could look behind him to read, "Chosen before the foundation of the world." I cried out yes when I heard those words, but I still didn't know how to believe them.

This post is going to get real simple, real fast. Because, I found my answer in a sermon that I listened to awhile back. I remember stopping what I was doing as tears blurred my vision... fat, heavy, burden releasing tears. The preacher said, "If your view of Jesus is big enough, there in no difference between Calvinism and Arminianism." And I knew, in that moment, that he was right.

"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."

God is the Alpha and the Omega. Time does not hold God.

For me, for us, we're right here, right now. Although we are eternal beings, our awareness lies in today. For God, that is not the way He exists. God is boundless. He's not the Alpha meaning that He was at the beginning. He's the Alpha in that He is there right now. He's not the Omega in that He'll be present at the end. He's the Omega in that He is there, battle won, right now.

And think about it, if God is at the beginning, right now, if He is at the end, right now, He is also filling every other second of history and eternity...all simultaneously, and all right now. When He did His choosing (before the foundation of the world), for Scripture tells us that He did choose, He did so with a full and continual view of every single second, every choice and every action, of our lives. Scripture also tells us that Salvation is offered to all (that He is drawing all men to Himself), that the Son of God died for the sins of the entire world.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

I chose God. God chose me. I chose God. God chose me.

Matthew 22:14 For many are invited, but few are chosen.

I chose God. God chose me. I chose God. God chose me.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

I chose God. God chose me. I chose God. God chose me.

I Peter 1:1-2 To God's elect...who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

I chose God. God chose me. I chose God. God chose me.

God knows who He chose, who would ultimately choose Him, but we (as humans) can only know that by choosing and following ourselves. In other words, in the eyes of the Alpha and the Omega, what we do, what we pray, who we believe in does matter. And free-will trumps predestination, because predestination hinges on free-will.

Agree, or disagree, at will. You're certainly free to (ha ha, aren't I clever?).