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NASB | 1 Thessalonians 5:17 pray without ceasing; |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Thessalonians 5:17 be unceasing and persistent in prayer; |
Bible Question: I am a new Christian and find that there are so many with different ideas about the Bible that it is quite confusing at times in trying to understand. My question at this point is in regards to being told that God knows who is going to be saved and when they will be saved even before we were born. If this is true where does free will play in our lives and if everything is predetermined as to the outcome what is the point of prayer? |
Bible Answer: You have asked some good questions here. First off, let me encourage you by stating emphatically that one's salvation does not depend on one's view of predestination. As someone who does hold to what is known as the Reformed/Calvinist viewpoint (the one which holds that God unilaterally determines who will be saved), I recognize that there are fellow believers in Christ who disagree with me. You asked: "If this is true where does free will play in our lives and if everything is predetermined as to the outcome what is the point of prayer?" A Reformed Baptist minister by the name of John Piper has addressed that question on more than one occasion. I would recommend checking out these links to explore biblically the link between God's sovereignty and our prayer. The short answer is that God decrees that many things that will come about will come about as an answer to prayer. Prayer is a demonstration of our complete and utter dependence upon God for His providence, and God rewards our faithful prayers in the present by foreordaining their answers in eternity past. http://www.desiringgod.org/Online_Library/OnlineArticles/Subjects/Prayer/Sovereignty_and_prayer.htm I would also recommend Piper's book _A Godward Life_ for some devotional reading on a great number of Christian issues (including prayer). I am delighted to hear that you are a new believer in Christ! Have you found a good church so that you will grow in community with other believers? While you have peace with God though your faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1), God has an incredible purpose for all who trust in the finished work of His Son as payment for their sins. Take a look at these verses to see what God has in store for you: Ephesians 2:10 1 Peter 2:9,10 1 Thessalonians 4 Philippians 1:6 Lastly, if you want to examine what the doctrine of predestination is all about, I would point you to the Web site below. It is a somewhat lengthy but precise description of what the Reformed understanding of the Bible's message of salvation is. Even if you end up not adhering to this view, it is good to have an accurate understanding of what many Christians believe the Bible teaches. http://www.desiringgod.org/Online_Library/OnlineArticles/Subjects/DoctrinesGrace/tulip.htm Let us on the forum know how we can assist you in your new relationship with Christ! --Joe! |