Pre-destination - Did God choose us or did we choose Him first?

@jedimind (200)
Singapore
November 30, 2008 7:42pm CST
This is just another one of those interesting discussions that i've always wanted to know what other people think. In the new testament, there is something called pre-destination that Paul talks about in the books he wrote. What it essentially means is no man can choose God on his own because man is simply sinful and will have nothing in him that would desire God. One passage that supports this concept can be found in Romans 9 which speaks about God's sovereign choice. However, there are other who believe that in order to receive salvation, we have to make that decision to believe in Jesus first. Such verses like John 3:16 where it says "For God so loved the world that He gave His begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.", support their claim. What do you think? Did God choose us or did we choose Him first? For me, i tend to believe that God chose us first. The reason being what i wrote earlier on. I just don't see how sinful man can ever want to be in a relationship with God unless God reveals himself to him (through scriptures and the spirit). A man can read scriptures and all, but if God doesn't reveal Himself, that man can never desire God. I believe that this places the importance on God rather than man. It is not through our decision of choosing Him that we get salvation. Rather, it is because of God's mercy and grace that we are chosen.
4 responses
@katran (585)
• United States
6 Dec 08
I believe that both are true actually. God chose us. Of that, we can be sure, because he says it himself in his Word, as someone quoted above. He chose us when he sent his son to die for our sins. He chose ALL of us. God does not want anyone to perish, but wants us ALL to dwell with him eternally! The second part of the equation is our choice. We can either choose to love him or choose to turn our backs on him. Sinful hearts will turn from God, it is true, but sinful hearts also must realize at some point that they NEED God. God will turn the heart of any who earnestly want to find him. "Ask and it will be given to you, Seek and you will find, Knock and the door will be opened." When we choose to seek God, he reveals himself to us. So, to make a long story short, I think both are true. I definitely do not believe in pre-destination the way the Puritans and other religion sects believe in it though. God will not let a limited amount of people into heaven. He opens his arms to any who seek him.
23 Jun 09
I'm not sure I understand what you meant when you said "both are true." It seems that you are saying that the statements "God choose man first before man choose God" and "Man choose God first before God choose man" are both true. Or could it be that you are saying that it is on the same timing when God choose man and man choose God. Please clarify.
@aadjei (28)
• United States
1 Dec 08
I like this discussion I just wanted to respond to your question. Did God choose us or did we choose Him first? Christianity is God looking and reaching out to man, and not man seeking or trying to reach out to God. I believe this why many religions have hard time accepting the gospel because man does seek for God but rather God comes to seek for man this is so evident in the life of Adam. But let us look at what Jesus says according to this issue in John 15:16 He says this "You did not choose me but I choose you". So our Lord and Savior made it clear to us with plain words. God bless you all.
@jedimind (200)
• Singapore
1 Dec 08
thank you for your opinion. John 15:16 is yet another verse that speaks about God/Jesus choosing us first, and not we choosing him. i greatly appreciate your answer
• United States
6 Dec 08
I think that it is your choice. As it says in the Bible, God will separate all people to his right or left. He will say to those on his left Join me for salvation is yours. I was hungry and you gave me food. Thirsty you gave me drink. Naked and you clothed me. Imprisoned and you visited me. The people on the right will ask. Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you drink, naked and clothe you, or imprisoned and visit you. The Lord will say peace be with you, whenever you have done one of these acts to my lesser brothers, you hae done them for me. He will say to the left that they didn't do all of these. They will ask the same question and he will respond the same. So as you can see, we have the choice, I think, to feed others, give others drink, colthe others, and visit others. We choose to follow God.
• United States
6 Dec 08
we have our own choice its if we believe and follow the word of god we will be saved.