“If predestination is true, why should Christians still evangelize?”
That’s one of the most common questions people have when they learn the biblical doctrine of predestination.
For those who need a reminder, predestination is the belief that God chose people before the beginning of time to become Christians, and that He actively works to ensure those people receive salvation (Eph. 1:4-5 NIV, Rom. 8:29-30, 2 Tim. 1:9).
I answered the question above—and many related ones—in a 5500-word article that thoroughly explains this doctrine, but I think the question is also worth answering on its own today.
The False Assumption About Predestination
When people first learn about biblical predestination, they typically think like this:
“If predestination is true, people are predestined to be saved no matter what. Therefore, it doesn’t make sense to evangelize (or share the good news about Jesus) because my actions don’t really matter.”
Logically, this assumption makes sense, right? Why should Christians expose themselves to embarrassment, ridicule, and even danger by sharing their beliefs if God guarantees every “pre-Christian” will be saved in the future?
Here are 3 reasons why.
3 Reasons Why You Should Evangelize Despite Predestination’s Truth
Reason 1: God Uses Practical Means to Accomplish His Will
A lot of new and immature Christians expect God to always work through miracles. If a life-changing event doesn’t occur out of nowhere, then they think God must not be involved.
Like the main character of a cheesy romance movie, they expect every good thing in life to “just happen”, but the reality is that God often works through very ordinary and practical means.
This is what the Apostle Paul referred to in the following passage:
How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? (Rom. 10:14-15)
People don’t magically believe the gospel if they haven’t heard it. And they won’t get the chance to hear it unless someone explains the message to them (see Rom. 10:17).
When we question evangelism’s role based on predestination’s truth, we act as if God will proclaim the gospel Himself while speaking through dark, thunderous clouds, but that is not how He’s chosen to operate.
God’s intervention to save the elect is not always obvious. Simply sharing the gospel with a coworker for example is “God making His appeal through us” (see 2 Cor. 5:20 ESV).
Reason 2: You’re Commanded (and Blessed) to Play a Role in God’s Plan
Since God uses evangelism as the means to bring predestination to pass, He also commands us to do this work.
Jesus’ words in The Great Commission show us exactly how we should operate in response to that command:
All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matt. 28:18-21 NIV)
This Commission isn’t just for pastors and other clergy who dedicate their lives to ministry. It’s for all of Christ’s disciples.
Jesus doesn’t tell us to sit back as predestination works, but to take an active role in making it come to pass. We’re told to “make disciples of all nations” with the assurance that He’ll be with us when we do (see Jesus’ words to Paul for an example of this in Acts 18:9-10 NIV).
This great purpose and the help we receive to do it are why we should also view our command as a blessing.
What we have isn’t a human message we spread in our own power—it’s a divine message that reconciles people to God. That’s why Scripture says, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” (see Rom. 10:15 NIV).
We have the privilege to be called “fellow workers” in God’s plan of salvation (see 1 Cor. 3:9). And it’s an awesome feeling to know your words helped change people’s lives for eternity.
Reason 3: Your Disobedience May Lead to Discipline
For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! (1 Cor. 9:16 ESV)
This last reason is one people often overlook.
Most of us only think of the downsides of evangelism and how we can apparently avoid them since predestination is true. But those who think this way don’t realize God can make your “no” much worse than your “yes”.
“For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives” (Heb. 12:6 ESV). Disobeying a direct command from God can lead to His discipline, and that’s not something you want to face.
During Paul’s conversion experience, Jesus described Paul’s former actions as “kick[ing] against the goads” (see Acts 26:14). This was a metaphorical way of saying Paul’s resistance to God’s will was self-destructive. Goads are sharp sticks used to prick cattle into following a specific path, and when we disobey God’s will to evangelize, we invite God’s use of similar discipline into our lives.
Jonah quickly realized that disobeying God isn’t as easy as you think. And if you believe the God of the universe chose people and predestined them to an outcome before time began, what makes you think you can run from that same Person unscathed?
Being a Christian doesn’t make you immune to bad circumstances. “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God” (Rom. 8:28), and sometimes, the “all things” includes stuff that’s not pleasant.
God can prick and disturb you so much that obeying Him becomes much easier by comparison. So don’t wait on His discipline before you choose to obey.
How You Should Really Think About Evangelism
So to review, there are 3 main reasons to evangelize despite predestination’s truth:
- God uses practical means to accomplish His will
- You’re commanded (and blessed) to play a role in God’s plan
- Your disobedience may lead to discipline
Based on these reasons, here’s how you should view evangelism going forward:
“Predestination is true, and I evangelize because God uses me to bring what He predestined to pass. Jesus also commands me to do this work, so my refusal to do so may lead to discipline.”
The doctrine of predestination—when properly understood—shouldn’t hinder evangelism. It should make you more willing to join God in the work He started before time began.
All believers are commanded to do this work anyway. So even if you can’t wrap your head around the logic, the very least you can do is obey.
-Drew
Leave a Reply