Belgic Confession of Faith

Article 16

— (continued from Sept. issue) —

There are many questions which arise regarding this subject of predestination, and we will address some of these briefly.

One may ask, “Are there many who are elected? Is it a majority or not?” We know that someone came to the Lord Jesus and asked a similar question. The Lord did not answer as to how many or few, but said, “Strive ye to enter in through the strait gate.” Yet God’s Word tells us something about it. In Matthew 20:16 it says, “Many be called, but few chosen.” Matthew 7:14 says there is a broad way, but “strait is the gate and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life and few there be that find it.” That is what God’s Word says. We may not change that just because it might seem offensive to people; yet there is room in Christ for the chief of sinners.

Another question might be, “What sort of people are elected?” The answer is, “All kinds of people:” kings and queens (Isaiah 49:23); rich ones (Psalm 45:13); noble ones (Psalm 47:9). But many of them are the kind no one would think the Lord would choose. He says, “I do it not for your sake.” He did not only elect the most impressive persons: kings and queens, Solomon, David, rich ones, and noble ones, and gifted ones. No, we read in 1 Corinthians 1:28-29, “And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: that no flesh should glory in His presence.” No one might say, “I was a rich or gifted one, fit to be chosen.” He can choose a fool, so that there is no reason in any creature.

You may ask, “Can this election change?” No, this decree is unchangeable. You have heard of it from Romans 9:11.

“Give diligence [strive for it, seek it] to make your calling and election sure.”

Can we be assured of our election? Yes, but in different measures. Read what the apostle says in 2 Peter 1:10. “Give diligence [strive for it, seek it] to make your calling and election sure.” First your calling; we need to be called first. Then also seek to make our election sure. Then we will never stumble. Then there is a foundation under your feet. Then we may know that whatever might happen, the counsel of God will stand firm! The Lord knows them that are His.

How do we become a partaker of this salvation? By being drawn out of darkness and being drawn by God’s power. “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son” (Colossians 1:13).

Friends, there is also reprobation on the other side of the coin. There is also an eternal decree to leave some, who are condemnable because of the sin of Adam, in sin and corruption. You may ask, “What is the reason that God has elected some?” It is not their good works or their faith; it was only God’s sovereign good pleasure.

Another question is, “Why has God rejected others?” Is it their sin and their wickedness? No, that is also God’s good pleasure and sovereign will. Sin is the cause of condemnation and God’s punishment coming upon us. God’s sovereignty is the cause, the root, of the other side of the coin also, the reprobation of men. It is all in God’s decree. As the Potter, He may do with the clay what pleases Him. Did we ever agree with that, even if He would cast us away?

Is reprobation about persons? It is not only about certain kinds of people, but about persons. Read of Esau, Pharaoh, and Judas. We read in Revelation 13:18 of people whose names were not written in the book. In reprobation as well as in election the means are included. God did not only decree who will or will not be saved, but also the means by which they will be saved. This doctrine does not make people careless, for

a) reprobation is not known to reprobates themselves, and

b) grace is given at different times (1 Timothy 1:15, 16).

The hidden things are for God. “The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children” (Deuteronomy 29:29).

How can one know if he is elected?

a) By his calling: “Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called” (Romans 8:30).

b) By faith: “And as many as were ordained to eternal life believed” (Acts 13:48).

c) By his fruits — sanctification: “Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit” (John 15:16).

What is the duty and obligation of one who is assured of his election?

a) To acknowledge God and to glorify His virtues as the apostle did: “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!” (Romans 11:33).

b) To render thanksgiving to God: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hast blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3).

c) To choose all wherein the Lord delights: “I have chosen the way of truth: Thy judgments have I laid before me” (Psalm 119:30).

d) To humble ourselves before God: “That according as it is written, he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord”

(1 Corinthians 1:31).

The reason that the Lord has revealed something of this eternal decree is to strengthen and comfort His people with this unchangeable foundation; but it can also be to cause His people to marvel that the Lord has looked upon them even before they were created. There is much more to say. There is not only the duty of those who may be assured of their election, but there is also comfort for God’s church in all their trials. “All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). There is also a comfort over against all their sins. We can be disappointed with self, for when God discovers His people more and more, they will be more and more disappointed; but the Lord cannot be disappointed with them. He saw them not only as they were, but how they would be to the very end of their life. When He began, He did not make a mistake. We read of it in Ephesians 1:5, “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace.”

“Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them”

There is comfort in this doctrine in spite of all our sins and against all the assaults of the devil. The Lord says, “Nobody will pluck you out of My hand.” There is also a comfort over against all the distress and fear in the hour of death. Revelation 14:13 speaks of the portion ofthat people who may know this. “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them.” Oh, what a blessed people they are.

Predestination is a doctrine which is a stumbling block to many. We don’t want God to be God. We don’t want Him to be the sovereign Ruler and Potter. However, salvation is only in complete surrendering to His sovereign will. Did we ever become clay in His hands? For such a people, who with Asaph may come to learn themselves as great beasts before God, there is comfort in His abiding faithfulness. In His unchangeable decree He loved them to the very end. He will not forsake the work which He began for them. May that comfort also be known by you.

Due Care

John Flavel, speaking of his inattention to his spiritual interests, says, “I studied to know many other things, but I knew not myself. It was with me as with a servant to whom the master committed two things — the child and the child’s clothes. The servant is very careful with the clothes, brushes and washes, starches and irons them, and keeps them safe and clean, but the child is forgotten and lost. My body, which is but the garment of my soul, I kept and nourished with excessive care; but my soul was long forgotten, and had been lost forever, as others daily are, had not God roused it by the convictions of His Spirit out ofthat deep oblivion and deadly slumber.

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