Have you ever sat down with a friend over coffee and had the age-old question come up: “So, what do you think about predestination versus free will?” It’s one of those topics Christians have wrestled with for centuries. When I think about it, the first truth that comes to mind is this: God created time, but He Himself is not bound by it.
Psalm 90:4 says, “For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night” (ESV). God sees all of history—past, present, and future—like an open book before Him. While we experience time in a straight line, He sees the whole story at once. That changes how we think about both predestination and free will.
From our perspective, we make real choices every day. Scripture calls us to “choose this day whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15). But at the same time, the Bible says God “chose us in him before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4). How can both be true? The answer lies in God’s sovereignty. He sees the end from the beginning, while we are called to live faithfully in each moment.
The Freedom of God’s Sovereignty
Some people feel uneasy when they hear about predestination, but for many of us, God’s sovereignty is a source of comfort. Romans 8:29-30 reminds us that God foreknew us and predestined us to be conformed to the image of His Son. That word foreknew isn’t just about information—it’s about relationship. God knew you before you were born, loved you, and already set the course for your life in Christ.
That truth brings living with peace into our everyday lives. We can make decisions with wisdom and sincerity, but we don’t have to fear that one wrong step will derail God’s plan. His sovereignty is bigger than our failures. Even when we stumble, His grace weaves our mistakes into His purpose. That doesn’t excuse sin, but it does free us from the crushing weight of regret.
Walking the Balance
One of the dangers in this discussion is when people take one truth and ignore the other. If we emphasize only predestination, we may start to believe our choices don’t matter. If we emphasize only free will, we can fall into thinking God is reacting to us instead of ruling over us. Scripture keeps both side by side: our choices are real, and God’s plan is sure.
Paul captures this balance beautifully in Philippians 2:12-13: “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Our working and His working happen together. We live in responsibility, but anchored in sovereignty.
When we embrace this truth, we can live with peace. Instead of stressing over every decision, we live faithfully in each moment, trusting that God already knows the outcome. That’s not a license for carelessness—it’s an invitation to walk in freedom.
Applying This to Anxiety
If there’s one place this truth really shines, it’s in the battle against anxiety. We live in a time when more people than ever are weighed down with fear: fear of the future, fear of failure, fear of what might go wrong. Anxiety thrives when we believe everything depends on us.
But remembering God’s sovereignty reshapes the way we see life. Jesus said in Matthew 6:34, “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Why could He say that? Because our tomorrow is already in His hands.
I’ll never forget a story I heard of a man who wrestled with anxiety over making the “right” career choice. He had two job offers—both good opportunities—but he was paralyzed with fear.
What if I… choose wrong? ruin my future? let God down?
He talked to a Godly friend about God’s sovereignty that day. He reminded him that God wasn’t wringing His hands in heaven, waiting to see what choice he would make. God already knew the outcome and had already woven it into His plan. That truth lifted the weight off his shoulders. He prayed, sought counsel, and then made the decision that seemed wise. Did the anxiety disappear overnight? Not completely—but he found freedom in knowing that even if he made mistakes, God’s plan would not fail. Today, looking back, he sees how God used that decision to open doors for ministry he never imagined.
That’s the kind of peace we find when we rest in God’s sovereignty. Anxiety tells us the future depends on our fragile control. The gospel reminds us the future rests in God’s unshakable hands.
Here are a few practical ways to live this out:
- When you’re overwhelmed by choices, remind yourself that God already knows your path. Pray, seek wisdom, make the best decision you can—and then rest. Don’t replay “what ifs.” Trust His plan.
- When anxiety rises about the future, open your Bible to promises of God’s control (Romans 8, Matthew 6, Philippians 4). Speak them out loud. Anchor your heart in His unchanging Word.
- When past failures haunt you, remember His grace. He has already factored your mistakes into His story for your life. Don’t let regret rob you of today’s faithfulness.
- When fear grips you about loved ones, remind yourself they are in His care. Pray for them, love them, and trust Him with the rest.
Living with peace in a world full of anxiety doesn’t mean we never feel afraid. It means we know where to run when fear shows up—we run to the God who has already written the ending.
Peace as a Witness
Here’s something we don’t always think about: the peace that comes from trusting God’s sovereignty is a witness to the world. Philippians 4:7 promises that “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” In a restless world, believers who live with calm confidence stand out. People notice when you aren’t weighed down by fear of failure or the “what ifs” of life.
When we rest in God’s sovereignty, we can focus on what matters most: glorifying God and leading people to Christ. We aren’t stuck replaying past mistakes. We’re moving forward in freedom, knowing the end is secure. That’s the kind of life that points people to Jesus.
Living Today in Light of Eternity
At the end of the day, predestination and free will aren’t meant to divide us—they’re meant to humble us. We don’t have all the answers, but we do know this: God is sovereign, and we are called to live faithfully. When we hold both truths together, we experience a peace that frees us from fear and compels us toward love.
So the next time you find yourself wondering about predestination and free will, remember: from your view, you’re making real choices. From God’s view, the story is already complete. And because of His sovereignty, you can live with peace, one faithful step at a time, until the day Christ returns.
Spread the Gospel; lives depend on it!
I pray, MARANATHA! (Come Quickly, Lord Jesus!)
Your brother in Christ,
Duane
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