Thoughts on the
Second London Baptist Confession
Chapter 3: Of God’s Decree
By Brian Pendleton
“by predestining us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,
to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He graciously bestowed on us in the Beloved.”
— Ephesians 1:5-6 (LSB)
God’s decree is simply His plan or purpose. The goal of God’s decree is His own glory, “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11:36). In paragraph one we are given a description of His decree. Here are just a few mentioned: First that it is eternal, “This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord. . .” (Ephesians 3:11). Before the world was made God’s decree existed. Second it is immutable, “The counsel of Yahweh stands forever, The thoughts of His heart from generation to generation.” (Psalm 33:11). His decree will not change. Third it is certain. “Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, ‘My counsel will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure. . .’” (Isaiah 46:10) No one and nothing can thwart God’s decree. In this paragraph as well the confession guards this doctrine from impugning the holiness of God, “yet so as thereby is God neither the author of sin nor has fellowship with any therein” and from implying the error of fatalism, “nor is violence offered to the will of the creature, nor yet is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established”
In paragraphs 3-7 the chapter gets into the specific decree of predestination. Election is an act of God in choosing a particular people for salvation for His own glory and is a demonstration of His free grace towards the sinner. “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom, which has been prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” (Matthew 25:34). Reprobation is God leaving others to act in their own sin to their own condemnation and is a demonstration of God's Justice. “And what if God, wanting to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath having been prepared for destruction. . .” (Romans 9:22) These truths of God’s grace and justices being on display should lead us to sing God’s praise, “I will sing of lovingkindness and justice, To You, O Yahweh, I will sing praises.” (Psalm 101:1).
The basis of election is not the person’s merit or some foreseen faith. The basis of election is God’s free grace. Election is gracious in its character and it is NOT a debt or obligation upon God, “...who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus from all eternity...” (2 Timothy 1:9). What is the person’s part then in election? The apostle Paul put it well, “So then it does not depend on the one who wills or the one who runs, but on God who has mercy.” (Romans 9:16). We have no part in our election, it is based upon God’s appointment. The elect therefore are redeemed by Christ and are called, justified, adopted, sanctified and saved, “...and those whom He predestined, He also called; and those whom He called, He also justified; and those whom He justified, He also glorified.” (Romans 8:30).
We are to handle the doctrine of predestination with great care. In recent years an expression has been given for those who have been overzealous for this doctrine, ‘Cage Stage Calvinist’. But it should not be so. This doctrine when rightly understood should lead us to humility not pride. I believe Watts captured the proper frame of mind when he wrote, “Why was I made to hear thy voice, And enter while there's room, When thousands make a wretched choice, And rather starve than come?” Let this doctrine, then, not be just something to rest quietly in our intellect, but may it lead us to praise and admiration of our God! “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!” (Romans 11:33).