For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.–Eph. 2.10
Here are those dreaded words which invoke the hatred and evasion of men: "BEFORE ORDAINED." They are not used here, however, in connection with God's election of His people to eternal life. They are used to show that God has appointed from before the foundation of the world, that His people would obey Him and do His will. Not only, according to the text, will they do His will once or occasionally, but it shall be their continual manner of life to do so! One of the most grievous errors and accusations aimed at those who believe in God's eternal predestination is this: If all events, and especially the salvation of some, is unalterably fixed in the decree of God before it ever happens, then it does not matter what men do or do not do in time; since they can have no effect upon this purpose of God. The blessed scriptures deal death to this kind of reasoning.
It is absurd to set in opposition the eternal election of God and the obedience of faith and service of His people, when both are decreed by God from the beginning. If God has decreed that a certain man shall be saved eternally from the just punishment against his sin by the blood of Christ, then He has also decreed that the same man shall hear God's word, believe it, repent of his sin, and serve God for the rest of his life. The faith which God gives may sometimes, by our own neglect, grow weak so that God must ask of us, "How is it that ye have no faith," but we shall continue in it since God has ordained that we shall. That life service also may be neglected at times and may take various forms, but it is as certain as the salvation of which it is a result.
How could this truth encourage anyone to neglect their godly duties and languish in fatalistic idleness? Does it bother you that God's immutable and glorious purposes are being accomplished by what you do each day? Would you rather that the results of your efforts be left to blind chance and serve no good or certain end?
A mother hears of the bombing of a certain location where her son is stationed. She eagerly awaits news concerning her precious boy, and prays all night that the merciful God has spared his dear life. She knows that if he has been killed, it has already happened! Does this cause her to say, "What use is my prayer, since the result is already certain?" No, such a vain thought never enters her mind as she pours out her heart to the God in whose hand her son is. Should we pray any less for our lost love ones, in light of God's eternal, electing grace? Oh, God, may it be, in thy sovereign purpose and matchless grace, that my little children's names are written in thy great book and may I do all in my God-given power toward that happy end!
For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the fresh. Rom. 9:3.