The doctrine of God’s decrees refers to His eternal plan and purpose by which He ordains everything that comes to pass according to His perfect wisdom, will, and sovereignty. God’s decrees encompass His actions in creation, providence, and redemption, reflecting His unchanging character and divine foreknowledge. This doctrine assures believers that God’s plan is both comprehensive and purposeful, unfolding in accordance with His infinite knowledge and righteousness.
The study of God’s decrees includes key theological concepts such as His eternal purpose, foreknowledge, predestination, election, and reprobation. A biblical understanding of these elements offers insight into God’s sovereignty and human responsibility within His redemptive plan. Dispensational theology affirms that God’s decrees are revealed progressively across different dispensations, demonstrating His faithfulness in fulfilling His purposes for Israel, the Church, and the world.
This essay will explore the essential aspects of God’s decrees, providing a thorough examination of their biblical basis, theological implications, and practical significance.
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God’s Eternal Purpose
God’s eternal purpose refers to His sovereign plan that encompasses all of creation and history, determined before the foundation of the world. This purpose is unchanging, rooted in His wisdom and perfect knowledge, and serves to bring glory to Himself through His redemptive work in Christ.
Biblical Basis
- Ephesians 1:11 – “In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.”
- Isaiah 46:9-10 – “I am God, and there is no other; I make known the end from the beginning… My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.”
- Romans 8:28-29 – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Key Aspects of God’s Purpose
- Sovereign Will: God’s plan is determined by His sovereign authority and cannot be thwarted (Job 42:2).
- Eternal Design: His purpose was set before time began (2 Timothy 1:9).
- Christ-Centered Focus: All of God’s purposes ultimately culminate in Christ (Colossians 1:16-17).
Understanding God’s eternal purpose brings comfort and confidence to believers, knowing that all things unfold according to His divine will and for His glory.
Foreknowledge
God’s foreknowledge refers to His perfect and complete knowledge of all things before they occur. Unlike human foresight, divine foreknowledge is comprehensive, encompassing not only what will happen but also how and why events unfold.
Biblical Basis
- 1 Peter 1:2 – “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit.”
- Romans 8:29 – “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son.”
- Isaiah 42:9 – “See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you.”
The Nature of God’s Foreknowledge
- Comprehensive Knowledge: God knows all things past, present, and future (Psalm 147:5).
- Personal and Relational: God’s foreknowledge involves an intimate knowledge of His people (Jeremiah 1:5).
- Not Based on Human Actions: God’s foreknowledge is not contingent on human decisions but is part of His sovereign plan (Ephesians 1:4-5).
God’s foreknowledge serves as the foundation for His predestining work, demonstrating that His purposes are deliberate and certain.
Predestination
Predestination refers to God’s sovereign choice to determine the eternal destiny of individuals according to His will. It affirms that God, in His sovereignty, appoints some to eternal life while permitting others to remain in their sin.
Biblical Basis
- Ephesians 1:5 – “He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.”
- Romans 9:22-23 – “What if God, although choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath prepared for destruction?”
- Acts 13:48 – “All who were appointed for eternal life believed.”
Key Aspects of Predestination
- Unconditional Election: God’s choice is based on His grace, not human merit (Romans 9:16).
- Purposeful Calling: Predestination results in the calling and justification of believers (Romans 8:30).
- Conformity to Christ: The goal of predestination is that believers be conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29).
Predestination highlights God’s sovereignty in salvation while ensuring that His plan is carried out with justice and mercy.
Election
Election refers to God’s sovereign choice to set apart individuals or groups for a specific purpose, primarily for salvation and service. Election is an expression of God’s grace and a demonstration of His redemptive plan throughout history.
Biblical Basis
- John 15:16 – “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit.”
- Romans 11:5-7 – “At the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.”
- 2 Thessalonians 2:13 – “God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit.”
The Nature of Election
- Divine Initiative: Election originates solely in God’s grace and wisdom (Ephesians 1:4).
- Purpose in Service: God’s election includes not only salvation but also calling for service (Jeremiah 1:5).
- Security in Christ: Those who are elect are kept by God’s power (John 10:28-29).
Election, while sovereign, does not negate human responsibility to respond to God’s call in faith.
Reprobation
Reprobation is the doctrine that God, in His sovereignty, allows some individuals to remain in their sin and ultimately face judgment. While God does not take pleasure in the condemnation of the wicked (Ezekiel 33:11), His justice requires that those who reject Him face the consequences of their choices.
Biblical Basis
- Proverbs 16:4 – “The LORD works out everything to its proper end—even the wicked for a day of disaster.”
- Romans 9:22 – “What if God, choosing to show his wrath, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath prepared for destruction?”
- 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 – “God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie.”
Scholar R.C. Sproul explains it this way: “When God chooses to bypass a sinner, He does not work to create unbelief in that person’s heart. Rather, God simply lets him go his own way.” (Sproul, The Doctrine of Reprobation, Ligonier Ministries).
The Nature of Reprobation
- God’s Justice: Reprobation highlights the fairness of God’s judgment (Revelation 20:12-15).
- Human Responsibility: Those who reject God’s truth are accountable for their choices (John 3:19).
- A Call to Repentance: God desires all to come to repentance, offering salvation freely (2 Peter 3:9).
While the doctrine of reprobation is difficult to grasp, it ultimately points to God’s righteousness and the serious consequences of rejecting His grace.
Theological Implications
The doctrine of God’s decrees assures believers that all events, from creation to eternity, are under God’s sovereign control. It provides confidence in His providence, motivates faithful service, and encourages evangelism in light of God’s redemptive plan.
- Assurance of Salvation: God’s sovereign election secures the believer’s eternal destiny (Romans 8:38-39).
- Encouragement for Obedience: Knowing that God’s purposes will prevail motivates holy living (Ephesians 2:10).
- Call to Evangelism: The doctrine of election does not diminish the urgency of sharing the gospel (Matthew 28:19-20).
Conclusion
The doctrine of God’s decrees reveals His eternal wisdom and sovereign purpose in ordaining all things according to His perfect will. Through foreknowledge, predestination, election, and reprobation, God’s redemptive plan is displayed with justice and mercy.
“For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever!” – Romans 11:36
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