Are We Predestined?

[Dennis1209]

The below scripture seems to be a good example of predestination vs. omniscience. We are not robots, we have free will to chose and make decisions and choices. The Lord knows the outcome of our decisions and alternative decisions we could make. The Lord plainly stated Saul is coming for David and he would be delivered up; it didn't happen. Why?

1 Samuel 23:10 (KJV) Then said David, O LORD God of Israel, thy servant hath certainly heard that Saul seeketh to come to Keilah, to destroy the city for my sake. 11. Will the men of Keilah deliver me up into his hand? will Saul come down, as thy servant hath heard? O LORD God of Israel, I beseech thee, tell thy servant. And the LORD said, He will come down. 12. Then said David, Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul? And the LORD said, They will deliver thee up. 13. Then David and his men, which were about six hundred, arose and departed out of Keilah, and went whithersoever they could go. And it was told Saul that David was escaped from Keilah; and he forbare to go forth. 14. And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand.

 

[Speks]

When he was in Keilah, David asked the Lord if the men of Keilah would surrender him and his men to Saul. God answered and said, "They will surrender you." So David and his men left Keilah and went somewhere else to avoid being given over to Saul. David hid in the wilderness and Saul searched but failed to find him. The men of Keilah would have handed him over to Saul, but God prevented Saul finding him in the wilderness (God did not allow him to be handed over).

So, David understood from God that IF he stayed in Keilah (a city that had double gates and bars) Saul would surely capture him.

Perhaps I've misunderstood your question or misread the Scripture... But it does seem to me David turned to God because he was unsure what would happen if he stayed. God revealed that if he stayed he would surely be captured so, naturally enough, he fled and hid from Saul where he knew he would be well hidden. I personally don't see predestination vs. omniscience" in the text.

Edited October 3, 2020 by Speks

[Hands On]

I believe we are predestined because as it is written "Before I formed you in the womb I  knew you, before you were born I set you apart.I appointed you as a prophet to the nations"(N,I.V. Jer.1 .5)We as Christians are also therefore predestined by God by His grace, to obey His calling to us as individuals.He is after all infinite.There is nothing that he does not know! And that includes mortal you and me.  

[missmuffet]

God knows before we are born if we will be saved. 

[Not me]

In my view only two things are predestined, the old creation and the new creation..

The old to death and destruction, the new to glory, honor and life eternal..

They who at the departure of the body, find themselves only in possession of the old, death and destruction...Those in possession of the new, Heaven is the only place for them..

My thinks...

Blessings, Not me 

Edited October 3, 2020 by Not me

[R. Hartono]

Mankind are destined to live Godly n believe in Jesus. If they refuse its their freedom n they Will end up separated from God.

[JohnR7]

6 hours ago, missmuffet said:

God knows before we are born if we will be saved. 

God writes the book of our life at conception.  (Psalm 139:16) Then the angels keep a record of how fairfull we are to follow His plan and purpose for us to bring Him praise - honor and glory. Then a day will come when we are judged according to the books that were written:

"And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God: and the books were opened, and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works". (Rev-20:12)

[Marilyn C]

5 hours ago, JohnR7 said:

God writes the book of our life at conception.  (Psalm 139:16) Then the angels keep a record of how fairfull we are to follow His plan and purpose for us to bring Him praise - honor and glory. Then a day will come when we are judged according to the books that were written:

"And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God: and the books were opened, and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works". (Rev-20:12)

Hi John,

We, the believers in the Body of Christ are NOT judged for the Lord Himself took our punishment. He was judged in our place. Praise the Lord.

As to the `plan` & `purpose` of God for our lives - it is to be made like Jesus. Any activities are just how we serve, any giftings and abilities are to be used for serving. We are not predestined to do such and such. We are to be made like Christ Jesus.

`For whom He foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son...` (Rom. 8: 29)

[Speks]

5 hours ago, Marilyn C said:

As to the `plan` & `purpose` of God for our lives - it is to be made like Jesus. Any activities are just how we serve, any giftings and abilities are to be used for serving. 

This is an important point you have shared. Yes, salvation is sure, "but only as through fire" (see Scripture below). We are called to good works in Christ. True believers will all "appear before the judgment seat of Christ" (2nd Corinthians 5:10), so that each one may be repaid for what has been done in the body, whether good or bad. We will be held responsible for all we have done. 

Abiding in Christ we are secure. We are covered by His righteousness, but our conduct and works will be judged. This is a sobering reminder to walk in the Spirit so we will know wisdom, true revelation, purity, maturity in Christ, Christ-likeness and sound teaching. Future judgement in Christ will encourage us to properly handle Scripture, and we will need to watch out for those who misuse it. (This last point is very important in an online 'Christian' forum such as this.)

"If anyone builds on the foundation [Jesus Christ] with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, each one's work will become obvious. For the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one's work. If anyone's work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will experience loss, but he himself will be saved — but only as through fire" (1st Corinthians 3:12-15, CSB)

Edited October 4, 2020 by Speks

[Justin Adams]

To answer the OP - NO.

If the Lord and me were to have a chess match, He would say to me: "Whatever you do or however you move, I will win". He would further say: "I will not interfere with your moves or predestine the outcome."

He sits down across from me and wins because He is God Almighty.