Thoughts on Predestination:

For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.  Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. (Rom 8:29-30)

In this passage, Paul lays out God’s purpose to those who are in the body of Christ. Yet, we must pause to ask ourselves the question if this is the only thing that the Apostle, and Scripture says about predestination and its specifics? We would all say “Of course not!” With this in mind, it is quite unadvisable to conclude a theological doctrine apart from the flow of what Paul taught about predestination, salvation and perseverance, in order to contextually understand his overall message.

He begins by stating that “whom He foreknew, He also predestined….” One can rightfully ask, predestined for what reason, which he follows on and says “To be conformed to the image of His Son…” So we see that His foreknowledge of all who come to Him are for the purpose of conformity, being followed by having been called, justified, and (one day) glorified. And to this we fully embrace with joy and encouragement.

What can we surmise from this single passage when seeking to understand the scope of the subject at hand? While Paul laid out this wonderful redemptive plan, we do discover that he did not note any conditions, nor any part of man’s role and accountability at all. Does this mean that we do not have a responsibility in salvation, and does this mean that redemption is completely unconditional? I would say that the opposite is true from the totality of Scripture, Paul’s writings, and contextually from this passage itself.

In the same passage in which Paul writes of predestination to glorification, he also writes of the fateful consequences to his readers (believers), that salvation is not promised unless one continues to walk out the faith and endure the challenges of life. Please note the following:

“For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God” (13-14).

Also…

“[And] if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together” (v17).

After Paul gave these conditional verses to the believers, he followed with the blessing of foreknowledge to glorification (something that has not happened yet to the readers). However, he never said that is was unconditional, nor did he believe that his calling was unconditional, understanding that he was to be faithful to his calling. Please note the following regarding his thoughts of salvation concerning himself:

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. So they do it to obtain a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way as not to run aimlessly; I box in such a way, as to avoid hitting air; but I strictly discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified. (1 Cor 9:24-27 NASB)

So, we see how an isolated text can give a different perspective if we don’t include it in the overall scope of what an author is stating. Allow me to demonstrate another passage along this line, and then I will bring in the greater meaning of Paul’s stated from a single isolated passage, which was used to support God’s work of a blameless confirmation.

“[Who] will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor 1:8)

When this text is isolated, and read without regard of precedence, then it would appear that it merits an unconditional promise. However, this is not the only passage that points to Paul’s thoughts on being blameless, from which he actually expounds. Please note the following:

“And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight— if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister. (Col 1:21-23)

Do you see how Paul expounded on how one is presented as blameless before the Lord, through obedience? The “if” clause makes the entire promise to be founded upon this condition, which is unavoidable in the overall scope of the subject.

To the next passage that you cited:

You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. (Jon 15:16)

Let’s begin with the context. Jesus began this dialogue starting from chapter 13 as he was speaking specifically to is disciples. This wasn’t a sermon given on the mountain to multitudes, but to the confinement of his immediate followers who would soon be apostles. Notwithstanding, let’s examine what he said in order to determine if he was speaking of salvation or something other. Jesus said, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you…” For what purpose? “…that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain.” Did you catch that? He appointed His disciples to bear fruit. And this runs right in line of what he previously stated.

 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself but must remain in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in Me, and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown away like a branch and dries up; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.” (vv1-6)

So, what was this choosing and appointing all about in v.16? “That you should bear fruit.” Even in this context of bearing fruit, there remains a human responsibility to cooperate with the calling of God. Paul’s message remains consistent with what the Messiah wrote, and the other apostolic authors as well.

And just to clarify the statement in your text, I didn’t say that God does not know who will be saved, I said that Scripture never says that His foreknowledge is the basis of determining who goes to heaven and who goes to hell. Just as I like to watch classic basketball games of Michael Jordan when he played in the 90’s, and even though I already know beforehand the outcome of the game before those who were playing in real time did, it does not conclude that I am the one that determined the outcome. In the same way, God knows all, but He deals with us in the present, thus our decisions have the potential to determine alternate outcomes. Keep in mind, the Bible teaches that salvation comes by grace through faith. This is undisputable, of which I’m sure that you agree. However, it never tells us that salvation is determined by predestination.