Pre-Approved

"Congratulations! You've been pre-approved!" How many credit card offers do you get a week announcing such wonderful news? It's kind of validating, isn't it?!

There are a couple of passages in the Bible that announce similar news. One comes from Romans 8.28ff., where Paul writes some comforting words for those experiencing trials: 

We know that all things work together for good, for those who love God....for those whom he foreknew he also predestined...and those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Such words are incredibly comforting, but have led some to adopt a deterministic view of the world, where humans are not free to choose their own destinies. This is one of the problems with the individualistic nature of our culture.

Passages in the Bible that refer to predestination are directed at  corporate groups of people: You, as an entire people group, were chosen to be a part of the family of God. For that we should take great comfort.

Holding a belief that God has picked some individuals to experience life and others death, seems to be in opposition to the inclusive love of God. It is God's desire that the entire world experience the substantive life he offers (cf. Is 2.2-4; Jn 3.17, 12.32; 1 Tim 2.3-4; Tit 2.11).

So next time you go to the mail box, let the credit card offers stimulate you to think about your place in the family of God.