So, why bother?
This is the attitude of those who look at life from a fatalistic vantage point. If everything is predetermined, then why put any effort? Why even bother?
“It teaches that what is to be will be. It does not matter what you do or say, it is going to happen. What is to be will be. Therefore it is utter folly to strive or make any effort. Fatalism teaches that you can do nothing about life, that there are powers and factors controlling you inexorably, and holding you in the grip of a rigid determinism.”
Martyn Lloyd-Jones(Studies in the Sermon on the Mount)
So, how should a Christian respond? If God is truly sovereign over everything, and thus will work all things according to the counsel of his will, should Christians even bother? More specifically, if God is sovereign in salvation, choosing whom to save, why bother evangelising? Even more so, if God is sovereign, why bother praying, since God is not a man that He should change His mind(Numbers 23:19)?
A Christian should respond the way the apostle Paul would respond. How would the apostle Paul respond concerning evangelism and the sovereignty of God?
Let’s say you were to sit down with the apostle Paul and ask him point blank if he believed in the sovereignty of God in salvation. Paul would answer with a loud “AMEN”.
“And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls— she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”
What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.”
Romans 9:10-16(emphasis added)
Then your very next question would be to ask him if he believed in evangelism, the proclamation of the Evangel, the Good News, the Gospel, even though God had already elected those who would be saved. Paul again would answer in the affirmative.
“For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.”
Romans 9:3
In essence, Paul wished that he would be accursed, literally damned, for the salvation of his fellow Jews.
“Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.”
Romans 10:1
Can you hear the apostle Paul’s passion for the lost in that sentence?
Here in Romans 9:3 and Romans 10:1, Paul book-ends his theology of God’s sovereignty in salvation with his burden for the lost. And after explaining the doctrine of election in Chapter 9 of Romans, he goes on to explain how a person comes to saving faith in Chapter 10, namely through evangelism. God ordains the means as well as the end!
“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”
Romans 10:14-17
Now, as you continue your interview with the apostle Paul, you ask if he believes God’s choice of those who would be saved happens in eternity past. He would say of course.
” even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world…”
Ephesians 1:4(emphasis added)
Your follow up question would be if he believes it is necessary to pray concerning evangelism though God has chosen in eternity past. His answer.
“praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.”
Ephesians 6:18-20
Fatalism? NO. The sovereignty of God? Most definitely. Evangelism? But of course, because only the Gospel is the power of God for salvation(Romans 1:16). The apostle Paul proclaimed the Gospel boldly with the assurance that all who were appointed to eternal life would believe.(Acts 13:48)
DO YOU?
