God has indeed declared the entire world not guilty because of the sinless life and innocent death of his own eternal Son. That is “objective justification” (the entire world has been declared not guilty - whether they believe it or not does not change the fact of what Jesus has finished for the world). But without faith worked in us by the Holy Spirit through that gospel message, that truth will not benefit anyone now or forever. But the Holy Spirit teaches us to believe that what Jesus did for the world he most certainly must have done for me. That is what we call “subjective justification.”
But that is not the same as predestination. Predestination (or election, as it is also called) is a comforting doctrine meant for Christians who are troubled by the weakness of their faith in the face of trials and temptations. As we despair of being able to “hold on” to our faith by our own power (which indeed we cannot), Scripture teaches us a wonderfully encouraging truth. God chose us to be his own from all eternity. Therefore our faith is a gift which God from all eternity chose to work in our hearts in our lifetime through the gospel in Word and Sacraments. And not only did he choose in eternity to bring us to faith, he promises also to keep us in faith until eternity through that same gospel in Word and Sacraments. In other words, our salvation through faith in Jesus Christ is certain in the grace of God from eternity to eternity. This teaching leads us to make use of the means of grace with comfort and joy as we recognize their eternal significance in our lives. Ephesians 1:3-6 and Romans 8:28-30 are two of the best places to turn in Scripture for this doctrine of our election.
“If God did not predestine any to damnation, then can we assume all were initially predestined to salvation?” Here is where we must be careful that we don’t let our reason stand in judgment of what Scripture says. It is an absolute truth of Scripture that God equally desires the salvation of all. It is also an absolute truth of Scripture that God has elected some who will through faith inherit that eternal life. However, Scripture does not allow us to teach that God in eternity elected some to be damned. We cannot grasp with our limited human reason how all these statements can be fully and equally true. But Scripture teaches them all. When such curious questions arise, then I must remember that predestination was not revealed to us to satisfy every curious question that arises in our hearts. Our election is revealed to comfort the troubled Christian. Look at Psalm 131 and be reminded that there are times we must simply tell our reason to be still!
“Faith is the result of predestination as stated above – explain.” God didn’t elect me because he saw that I would believe. God elected me to be brought to faith in his Son (Ephesians 1). The saving faith in my heart is therefore not the reason for my election. Rather, my faith is the result of God’s electing love. In eternity he elected me in Christ to be brought to faith through the message of the gospel that his Spirit would bring to me in Word and Sacraments.
“We are taught for those who reject Jesus, it is entirely that person’s ‘fault’ and they will receive eternal damnation. Is this correct? We are taught for those who believe in Jesus, they will inherit eternal salvation. Is this correct?” Both statements are correct biblical truth. No one will be able to blame God for their unbelief on the last day (Mt 23:37). Everyone who believes in Jesus will receive eternal life (Jn 3:16).
“We are taught we cannot accept Jesus by any work of our own, it is through the power of the Holy Spirit who works in us through the Word and Sacrament. But where does that initial process begin? Assuming I have not been baptized into the faith as an infant baby, did I not have to initially read the Word, or initially go to church to hear the Word and by doing so the Holy Spirit started working in my heart? Doesn’t the individual have to start the process or are we to believe the Holy Spirit just one day arrived in ones life and started working? Once the Holy Spirit is in one’s heart, great things begin to happen, but my question is how did the Holy Spirit ‘get there’ in the first place?”
God has nowhere promised us that the Holy Spirit will work faith in anyone’s heart apart from the means of grace. An unbeliever can choose to open a Bible or to attend a worship service. However, that does not mean that he has somehow cooperated in the real work of conversion. He will still reject the law’s condemnation of his sin by his own powers. He will still consider the gospel to be utter foolishness by his own reason. Only the Holy Spirit can bring a heart to sorrow over sin (contrition) and to have confidence in forgiveness through Jesus (saving faith)
