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cjones said:
I don't understand the concept of predestination. Does it mean that God has already elected those he want to save?
Yes, from eternity, God in His infinite and perfect wisdom predestined and elected some from Adam's fallen race to be redeemed in Christ. (cf. Eph 1:4-11; Rom 8:29, 30; 9:11-24)

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cjones asks:
Is there any point for me in trying to be saved.
Yes, for it is the [preceptive] will of God that ALL men (sinners) repent and believe on Christ. (cf. Act 17:30)

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cjones asks:
Does it mean that no matter what I do or believe, I cannot be saved unless God has already elected me from the foundation of the world?
Yes and no. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> The fact is that ALL are born sinners, i.e., they are guilty before God and under His wrath and condemnation. And, ALL are born spiritual dead (cf. Gen 6:4; 8:21; Ps 14:1-4; Eccl 9:3; Jer 17:9; Matt 15:18, 19; Rom 8:7, 8; 1Cor 2:14; Eph 2:1-3; 4:17-19). Thus NO MAN seeks after God (cf. Rom 3:11) because they hate God (cf. Jh 3:19, 20; 7:7; 15:23, 24). Thus, until... and not before the Spirit of God regenerates them (new birth), NO MAN can desire God nor come to Christ in faith. (cf. Jh 6:44, 65) Secondly, nothing you can do can in any way influence God nor contribute your salvation. It is ALL of grace! Even faith is a gift of God and created within the soul by the Holy Spirit. (cf. Jonah 2:9; Acts 13:48; Eph 2:8, 9) Thirdly, what you believe is most important, i.e., the truth of the Gospel for "it is the power unto salvation". (Rom 1:16) However, faith does not save... Christ alone saves. Faith is simply the means by which a sinner trusts in Christ and submits to His Lordship.

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cjones asks:
Does it mean I cannot change (in fact even God cannot change his mind since he has already decided on my fate) my eternal state since my fate is already sealed.
What it means is that unless God creates the desire within you, there will not be, there cannot be any genuine godly desire to be saved. Simply put, unless the Holy Spirit regenerates your dead soul, you won't give a thought to "being saved", i.e., turning from your sins, living a holy life, trusting in Christ for forgiveness of sins and having His righteousness imputed to your account, being reconciled to God and glorifying His name in every thought, word and deed.

To sum up there are two biblical truths which must be apprehended; held together without distorting, diminishing nor denying either: 1) God is totally sovereign in ALL THINGS, both in power and authority. 2) Man is fully responsible for his every thought, word and deed. He is commanded to repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ unto salvation. It doesn't matter whether God has predestined him... he is fully responsible to do so for God has so commanded it.

The truth is, if man is as totally depraved as the Bible teaches he is, then without an eternal unconditional election, no man could be saved.

In His grace,

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simul iustus et peccator

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