Why should I witness to non-christians if God has already predestined his elect for salvation?
See related eBible topics: https://ebible.com/questions/265-what-is-predestination-is-predestination-biblical https://ebible.com/questions/3273-how-are-predestination-and-election-connected-with-foreknowledge https://ebible.com/questions/12111-what-is-predestined-referring-to-in-ephesians-1 https://ebible.com/questions/72-does-rom-9-mean-god-predestined-some-to-heaven-while-created-others-with-no-chance-of-escaping-hell https://ebible.com/questions/5307-what-is-the-point-of-living-if-a-person-like-me-is-predestined-to-hell
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David Robinson
Supporter
While this is certainly a valid and reasonable question to ask, I think it reflects a basic misunderstanding of both witnessing and election. By addressing those two issues biblically, the answer to the question can become clear. Let's begin with witnessing. Even if we (mistakenly) believe that our witnessing is an utter waste of time because of the doctrine of election, there would still be more than ample reason for continuing to witness. The greatest and most compelling reason is that, in some of His last words on earth, Christ commanded His closest eleven followers to spread the gospel through the process of witnessing (Matthew 28:19-20). They were to make other people students of the gospel and teach them obedience to His commands. Jesus assured them He would always be with them as they witnessed. While some argue that the command was to the disciples and not directly to us, the principle behind this command (if not the command itself) logically extends to us who are beneficiaries of the witness of those eleven faithful men. We must not forget the crucial biblical principle that every command God has ever given to man (including the Great Commission) is for the benefit of man. Our obedience to God’s commands in no way enhances, improves or benefits God. While obedience glorifies God, He is perfectly capable of glorifying Himself (Isaiah 6:3). Obeying His commands enhances, improves and benefits us and those around us. Therefore, when we witness, both we and others are blessed. If our witness is received, we are both blessed immeasurably and eternally. Through the practice of witnessing, God has given us the unspeakable privilege of participating with Him in the salvation of His elect! If you have ever had a person come to faith in Christ as a result of your witness, then you have tasted this blessing first hand. Even if they do not respond, you are much better off for having been a faithful witness for your Lord. From the standpoint of human nature, I believe we cannot keep ourselves from witnessing if we have truly experienced the regenerating love of God. If we love Him and others (the two greatest commandments), that love will overflow in our daily lives. It is human nature that we excitedly rush to share with others the good things that have happened to us, especially if they may also benefit from the news. Truly regenerate people cannot keep it to themselves – they will inevitably tell others! That is what Christian witnessing is all about; one beggar telling another where he found food! Romans 10:14-17 reminds us of the very practical reasons behind the admonition to witness while warning us that not all who hear the gospel will believe. But without our witness, how will God’s chosen children hear the good news that produces faith necessary for salvation? The one who brings good news is beautiful to the one who receives it! This is God’s plan for the building of His kingdom – that He will work through the witness of those He has already brought to faith to deliver the good news to those of His elect who have yet to hear. Faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17). Since we (as His witnesses) cannot know who is among His elect and who is not, we simply use the opportunities God provides us to share the gospel. We sow the seeds and He produces the increase (Matthew 13:18-23). Some will respond positively and some will not. That part is in God's hands alone, and that is the heart of the doctrine of election. There is no conflict between predestination and the Great Commission. They are complimentary parts of the same great plan!
Paul Bayne
Supporter
My question to you is this: How can you as a mere mortal determine between those who are vessels of wrath and those who are vessels of life? Can you tell the difference between the two without talking to them, praying for them and having a peek in God's Book of Life? If you cannot answer these questions without being untruthful, then continue witnessing...you just never know who God will save next.
Andrew Osakue
Supporter
Rom 10:14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching to them. I would like to bring out some salient points from this verse. (i) God needs a witness so that the one who refuses to accept his witness will have no excuse on the day of judgement that he never heard. (ii) The unsaved is in rebellion with God and God needs a reconciler between him and the man in rebellion. Hence he needs our prayers for lost souls. 2Cor 5:18 says he has given us the ministry of reconciliation. (iii) Salvation of man is a spiritual matter. The unsaved is entrapped by the devil who is a strong man. But inviting God who is a stronger being into the situation is the only reasonable thing to do since man is not able to save him self. (iv) finally, God knows those who will accept or reject his offer of salvation but still wants us to pray for all men because it is not his wish that any perish.
Michael Tinsley
Supporter
Primarily we witness to (or pray for) others to come to Christ because _we don't know if they are written in the Book of Life. Because God knows should have no impact or influence on whether we witness or not. Even if you only convince one person (with the Holy Spirit's help) of his/her need for repentance and salvation you have done the Lord's bidding and helped save a lost soul. The Lord also wants us to follow Jesus' example and pray. Prayer is essential to our relationship with Him. In Luke 18:1 Jesus tells his disciples to pray always and in Ephesians 6:18 Paul says to pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.
Christa Wisniewski
Supporter
While I do not understand your follow up detail I do understand and plan to address your statement question. I believe that after death those who TRUELY love God will gain acceptance to heaven while those who do not know Him or do not love him will be placed into Hell. That is why God wants us to witness to non believers. So they have a chance at learning God's love and loving him like we do, gaining acceptance to Heaven. While everything is predestined by God that is not saying that our choices don't change anything, it just means God is able to calculate where things will end up based on any choice we make. He is God after all. So he has no constraint on the infinite amount of possibilities that may happen just because of one choice we make. He knows what will happen if we chose to witness and what will happen if we don't. Therefore, for the sake of saving others from eternal suffering or however long it may take for that particular person to love God for real, we should witness to them. Because God was merciful enough to give us the shot at Heaven despite everything horrible we have done and He wants us to give them a shot too.
James Kraft
Supporter
John 6:40 And this is the will of Him who sent me, that all that seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. Predestination simply agrees with salvation. When we trust Jesus as the only way of salvation we are predestined to be raise at the resurrection. John 10:28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. If you have received the free gift of salvation by grace, you are predestined to be raised at the resurrection. That is when we will be conformed to His image. First Timothy 2:2 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth. Salvation is open to everyone who will believe First Corinthians 15:1-4 That Christ died for our sins, according to the scriptures, that He was buried and rose again on the third day, according to the scriptures. Ephesians 1:13 Those who believe He did it for them, receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and eternal life. Jesus paid it all and we paid 0, it is free. AMAZING GRACE. Romans 11:6 It is all grace.
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