“In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will” (Eph. 1:11).
The word “predestined” has confused many people for many years, but it is not really that difficult to understand. Here’s a simple illustration of what it means to be predestined.
If I’m preaching one Sunday and I take five one hundred dollar bills out of my pocket and ask for five people to come and each get one, I’m going to get five people on the platform in a hurry.
I predetermined that whoever came up would receive a one hundred dollar bill from me. So, you could say they were predestined to be there because I knew they would come.
I didn’t know exactly who would come, but it was predestined or predetermined before the service that I was going to give away five one hundred dollar bills.
So, who came? It was those who answered the call. I choose to give the bills to whoever accepted and received the call. “Many are called, but few are chosen” (Matt. 22:14).
Predestination shouldn’t be confusing. Salvation is predestined for anyone who will walk forward and receive it.
Remember, in verse 11 it says, “In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will.” It’s that simple.
Excerpt permission granted by Larry Ollison Ministries