The Doctrine of Predestination

INTRO: We have already looked at the doctrine of election. We want to now consider a closely related and a doctrine often confused with election, the doctrine of predestination. How one views the doctrine of election can have a considerable impact on how one views God and life. If one believes that God chose certain individuals in eternity past and that choice has nothing to do with the individual's life or life choices; he is either elect or reprobated and there is nothing he can do about it. No doubt such a theology will affect the individual's life. Seeing to one's own salvation loses its urgency because if I am elect I will be saved because God has determined I shall be saved, and if not, there is nothing I, or anybody else can do about it.