By Pastor George D. Cutler

The security of the believer’s commitment rests in placing into true perspective the essence of time where God has creatively scheduled the manifestation of His will. First and foremost, we have eternal life based on what has occurred in eternity rather than in time (Titus 1:2). We cannot have an adequate appreciation of the world-order until we are able to view it as God’s designed system through which He is working out His plans. God’s determination of the most tremendous foreordination (predestination) conceivable in heaven or on earth or even in all of existence is exemplified in the manifestation of His dominating election in creation. Any distortion or dilution of this all-embracing predestination reduces this masterful work of God to the premise that we ourselves are not subject to it in our entire personality. In this view, our entire existence, our very nature, even our position in life is not entirely dependant on Him. The inference of this mindset in effect places most determinations in the depraved hands of men and even worse in the hands of so-called blind natural forces as the evolutionists assert.

The only plausible adduce to stabilized creation entails foreordination in creation as well as in providence and thus on into the realms of grace and even nature itself. Those who are blessed to have been caused to believe in God must realize that He, who is infinite in power and wisdom, couldn’t possibly create a world without a definite all encompassing plan and reason for it that would extend to every detail of its existence. An un-obstructive view of creation displays all its relations, past, present and future, as following a predetermined course with exact precision and organization everywhere. All activities are designed along the lines of previously formed purposes, which are the fulfillment of preconceived plans dictating the limits of their finite capacities. A universe without decrees would be indicative of the handwork of an irrational creator exuding appalling evidence of one who does not possess or control nature nor the knowledge to properly apportion or regulate its influential forces. This absolutely does not fit the description of the attributes of God. As the Scriptures clearly teach that God’s providential control extends to all events, (even the most minute), they also specifically teach that His plan is equally comprehensive. It is intrinsic in His perfection that He has the best possible plan and has thus designed the course of all events to accommodate His appointed end. In order for one to endorse God’s absolute omniscience and omnipotence, it is necessary to endorse His sovereignty and foreordination of all His workings. God’s plan is shown in its effectuation to be one. In this sense, cause is linked with effect; hence what is effect evolves from cause. This translates into the influence of events on events interlaced with each other, thus descending in developing streams to subsequent events so that the entire composite result is derived through the design of every part. In this scenario, any component that could be removed or altered from the system would necessarily modify more or less the prescribed functioning of all the rest. In essence the failure of any one event to transpire exactly as arranged, would derange the entire proceedings either directly or indirectly, as it would constitute a lack of control.

As one views the enlightenment of this information, a probing question arises, i.e., DOESN’T GOD MAKE DAILY DECISIONS THUS ACCOUNTING FOR ADJUSTMENTS TO LIFE’S FUNCTIONS? The scriptural answer is an emphatic NO, BECAUSE IT ISN’T NECESSARY FOR HIM TO DO SO! If God had not foreordained the entire course of events but waited until some undetermined condition was or was not fulfilled, His decrees could be neither eternal nor immutable. However, the word of God informs us that He is incapable of mistake and cannot be surprised by unforeseen inconveniences. God is Sovereign, which denotes that He rules over everyone and everything, thus His plan must of necessity include every function and event in the entire scope of existence. His omniscience dictates that even the small, inconsequential events have their place in His plan and the fact that they are; is easily seen.

When things are viewed from eternity, it becomes apparent that all the events of creation in all their details, even the most minute, are but the unfolding of the eternal purposes of God. His decrees are not successively formed as the "emergency" arises, but are all parts of one all-comprehending plan, thus we should never think of Him suddenly evolving a plan or doing something that was not pre-planned. The fact that the scriptures often speak of one purpose of God as dependent on the outcome of another or even on the actions of men; offers no objections to the doctrine of Foreordination. Many scriptures are written through the eyes and in the language of men thus describing an act or a thing, as it appears to be rather than as it really is. Vivid examples of this are illustrated in the phrases "the rising and setting of the sun" and "the sun stood still"; yet our knowledge of the solar system confirms that it is not the motion of the sun but of the earth as it turns over on its axis that causes this phenomena. Likewise, when the scriptures speaks of God repenting (KJV) or "sighing", the conveyance is not that God has suddenly realized that he has pursued an unfruitful course and then changed His mind.

In retrospect, the factuality that is depicted is that of God’s action being expressed in view of the terms and conditions of the specific covenant as they are worked out in the intent of the covenant. The fact that God is eternal dictates that all concerning Him is eternal including all the decrees of everything that must transpire. Some deny that God has a plan while others assert that He has a general but not a specific plan, which embraces all events in all the ages. We can rest in the comfort that all of His acts are purposeful and that He is all wise in His planning and all-powerful in His performing. With this committed understanding, we view the universe as the product of His creative power, designed to display His glorious perfections. This can be exhibited only in the expressions of all his workings, even down to the least detail corresponding with His eternal purpose in creation.

As we come to know God through His word, it impacts and influences our personal experiences to the end that regardless of our physical circumstances, we always view Him as beautiful, loving, merciful, personal and positive. This is all communicated in the realm of what is defined as "the spirit that belongs to truth". The Spirit of Truth is in essence that function of the Godhead that conveys His intentions of plan, purpose and will to the spirits of men who He has made alive; thus the gift of faith. This gift of faith is the great source from which the elect of God learn via the Holy Spirit, who is the greatest of teachers. The process for the conveyance of truth works in the souls of men in accordance with their assigned love for truth and thus their capacity to grasp and comprehend spiritual realities. The Spirit of Truth is manifested to all of God’s people to become increasingly aware of the truth of the Father’s will for designated ones (us) as expressed through His love enabled mercy by the faithfulness of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit’s major function is to guide living spirits into all truth as He is charged with expanding the elect’s knowledge in the direction of endless progress toward God’s purpose. The spirit of Truth directs godly contact and draws children of light to the unity of the Spirit (Eph 4:3). As God’s people are led to greater truth, we are endowed with a realistic sense of joy, peace, serenity, confidence, insight, and power in the Holy Ghost (Rom 14:17; 15:13).