The false doctrine of “Predestination” teaches that God has arbitrarily predetermined for certain individuals to be saved, while others are not. This doctrine is taught commonly in many denominations. In particular, Judas Iscariot is often held up as an example in this matter, for it appears that it was his destiny to betray Jesus, so that Jesus could die for mankind’s salvation. Was Judas predestined to betray Jesus? Are we all predestined to be saved or lost?
God Wants Everyone to be Saved
The idea that God arbitrarily chooses some to be saved contradicts what the Scriptures reveal about God’s will. On one hand, it is true that God is sovereign, and He has the absolute right to decide whatever He wants. Just as the potter has the power over the clay, so does God have power over us, who are His creation (Romans 9:21). Nevertheless, God is not a God who abuses His sovereign power. God is a just God, and He always does what is right (Genesis 18:25). Hence, God would not unfairly select some to be saved, while others are not. Would God be fair to Judas if He arbitrarily chose him to be the traitor? No, God is not a “respecter of persons!” (Acts 10:34).
The Scriptures clearly reveals that it is God’s will that all men be saved! (1 Timothy 2:4). God does not wish for anyone to perish, but for all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). God has given all men ample opportunity to repent and follow Him. The evidence of God in His creation alone leaves the unbeliever without any excuse (Romans 1:20). The real problem is: many choose to refuse God, instead of repenting and following Him.
God Gives Everyone Free Will
Since the beginning, when God created the first man and woman, God has always given us the free will to choose. Adam and Eve had the choice whether to eat the forbidden fruit or not; unfortunately, they succumbed to Satan’s temptations and ate (Genesis 2:16-17; 3:1-6). Even today, Satan is still prowling around and tempting man (1 Peter 5:8). Hence, all of us have to make the choice: will we serve God or Satan?
Some have argued that Judas was powerless to resist; after all, Satan had “entered into him,” and put into his heart the desire to betray Jesus (John 13:2, 27). However, though Satan may tempt us, he can never force us to sin. God promises that if we resist Satan, he will flee from us (James 4:7). Judas himself later admitted: “I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood” (Matthew 27:4). Judas may have been tempted by Satan, but ultimately, he had the free will to choose whether to betray Jesus or not. Unfortunately, instead of resisting Satan, he succumbed to Satan’s temptation.
God’s Salvation Plan Is Not Contingent on Judas’ Betrayal
Some have argued that Judas had no choice but to betray Jesus; otherwise, Jesus would not have died for mankind’s salvation. Thus, Judas was “predestined” to betray Jesus. This idea also supports the notion that “the ends justify the means” i.e. Judas’ betrayal, though despicable, was necessary for God’s plan to be accomplished. However, God has never called us to do evil in order to accomplish good. The ends does not justify the means! (Romans 3:8; 6:1-2).
Although the wickedness of the Jews (including Judas) resulted in the salvation of mankind, the apostle Paul argues that, if only the Jews had faith instead, much more could have been accomplished (Romans 11:11-12). From our finite perspective, we cannot know how God would have accomplished His salvation plan had Judas not betrayed Jesus. We can only imagine. The only thing that matters now is what actually happened: the fact is, Judas betrayed Jesus. Nevertheless, God still managed to accomplish His salvation plan anyway. Judas is just another example of how God, through His infinite wisdom, is capable of using imperfect individuals to accomplish His will.
God’s Foreknowledge Does Not Equate to Predetermination
The Scriptures reveal that Jesus already foreknew that Judas would betray Him (Matthew 26:25; John 6:64, 71). Therefore, some argue that Jesus’ foreknowledge of Judas’ betrayal proves that Judas was predestined to do it. However, just because Jesus foreknew Judas' betrayal, it does not necessarily mean that it was predetermined. To give an illustration, I might give my little boy a choice between chocolate and vegetables, and I could “foreknow,” based on my limited knowledge, that he would pick chocolate. True enough, he picks chocolate. However, my “foreknowledge” does not mean that I predetermined it, because the choice was completely in my son’s hands. In fact, I wish that he had picked vegetables instead!
Although Jesus foreknew that Judas would betray Him, nevertheless, Judas had the free will to choose. In fact, during the 3.5 years that he spent with Jesus, he had ample opportunity to cleanse the greediness from his heart and to wholly follow Jesus. When the time was drawing near, Jesus even sent out “subtle” warnings to Judas about his betrayal (Matthew 26:21-25; Mark 14:18-21). Despite the opportunities to turn back, Judas proceeded to perform the evil deed. Sadly, Judas only came to regret after the deed was done, and his suicide was a demonstration of his feelings of guilt: he knew he had no one to blame but himself (Matthew 27:4-5).
God’s People Are Predestinated Collectively, Not Individually
God has predestinated Christians for His purpose (Romans 8:29-30; Ephesians 1:5, 11). However, this predestination relates to Christians collectively, rather than individually. Before the foundation of the world, Jesus was preordained to be the sacrificial Lamb for the world (Revelation 13:8). Hence, in order to be saved, all men must submit to God’s preordained Saviour: Jesus Christ. Similarly, before the foundation of the world, the church was chosen to receive the adoption as children of God (Ephesians 1:5). Hence, in order to be saved, we must be added into God’s preordained location: the church, which is the body of Christ (Acts 2:47; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:16).
"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name" (John 1:12)
God has predestinated the location in which salvation can be received. Individually, all of us must make our own decision whether to follow God’s divine plan or not. God has laid out the options clearly: follow Jesus, and we can receive eternal life; refuse Jesus, and we will receive the recompense for our sins, which is eternal condemnation (Romans 6:23). Our fate is in our own hands. Let us have faith in Jesus and lay hold on eternal life today!
"Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses" (1 Timothy 6:12)