God Does Not Wrong One Person by Showing Mercy to Another.

[Alan Dale Gross]

Some supralapsarians believe in double predestination. They mistakenly say that God is the chargeable cause of the loss of the lost. Hence, their view makes God the author of sin.

Neither the text nor the context of Isaiah 45:7 justifies the view that God created sin. The word sin does not occur in the text or the context of Isaiah 45:7--"I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things."

The Lord creates not the evil of sin but the evil of punishment for sin. Evil in this verse is used for punishment. As darkness is the privation of light, the evil of punishment is the privation of peace. The contrasted word to evil is not good but peace.


This interpretation harmonizes with the text and context. God punishes sin by sending evil to punish sin. Sin is not found among God's creatures in Genesis 1. Nevertheless, the Lord suffers sin and
overrules it for the good of His people and for His own glory.

Job spoke of God sending the evil of punishment: "...shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil..." (Job 2:10).

Amos proclaimed that God brings the evil of punishment on sin as a punishment for sin: "...shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it?" (Amos 3:6).

God did not make man to damn him.

He is not the chargeable cause of the loss of the lost.

God is by no means the origin of moral evil: "...God is light, and in him is no darkness at all" (I John 1:5).

As darkness does not come from God who is light, the evil of sin does not come from God who is holy. As night is not due to the presence of the sun, sin is not due to the presence of God. As the stench of a dunghill does not come from the sun, the evil of sin does not proceed from the holy God.

He tempts no man to evil (James 1:13-14). God does not find men wise, good, and tender and make them foolish, wicked, and hard. He takes men as they are in their depravity and excites them as they are.

There are two aspects of reprobation--negative and positive. When God elected some to salvation, He passed by others. Passing by is negative reprobation.

He did not positively condemn those He passed by. In positive reprobation, God condemns a person to punishment for his own sin.

Therefore, sin is taken into account in positively reprobating a person.

Pharaoh illustrates positive reprobation. God's action in hardening Pharaoh's heart was His reaction to Pharaoh's action of self-hardening (Ex. 4:21-14:8).

Every Scripture reference to God hardening an individual is always associated with the sin of mankind.

An illustration is given in Romans 1. God gave people up because of what they had previously done. They had "changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four footed beasts, and creeping things" (Rom 1:23).

God reacted to their self-hardening and gave them up to follow their wicked ways. Positive reprobation is always associated with committed sin. God did not predestinate men to hell to the exclusion of their association with sin.

To say that God created man to damn him, one would have to ignore the fall, sin, etc.

Therefore, double predestination--in that sense--will not stand the test of Scripture.

Reprobates are ordained to condemnation, but they are ordained thereto because of their sin.

Reprobation is not on the ground of God's foresight that man would be a sinner. If it were, all would be reprobated because God saw all men dead in trespasses and sins. Sin did not enter the world from the act of reprobation.

If sin came only by reprobation, reprobates alone would have been tempted and fallen.

However, Scripture teaches that Adam sinned, and all men sinned in him.

Therefore, all fell in Adam (Rom. 5:12).

The temptation and fall were universal. Since all sinned and fell in Adam, universally, all men are sinners by nature.

However, the act of reprobation was particular. God selected some and
passed by others. Hence, the elect and the reprobate are all under sin.

Every person is by nature a child of wrath until he is rescued by grace. Both elect and reprobate are branded as sinners.

Knowledge of those who are elected and those who are reprobated is bound up in the secret things of the Lord.

Consequently, the gospel must be preached indiscriminately. It should be
preached to sinners as sinners.

When God rescues a person by His grace and sets him free, that one rejoices in what the Lord has done for him and manifests through his practical sanctification that he is one whom God elected (I Thess. l:3-4). Not until then can anyone know who the elected ones are.

Man fell by sin and not by reprobation. Adam did not sin by reprobation. Conversely, he sinned by disobeying God.

Adam was not reprobated.

If he were, all men would be reprobated in him.

Men became sinners in Adam, but they were not reprobated in him.

God's act of passive reprobation is the negative of election. It does not make man a sinner any more than election makes a man a Christian. Election is not salvation. It is to salvation.

God created man upright (Eccl. 7:29). He cannot be condemned for His selections. Moreover, He cannot be accused for His rejections. No sinner deserves favor. God is obligated to none. God's election is an act of mercy and not of merit. His positive reprobation is an act of justice.

The elect are saved by grace, and the reprobate are lost to justice.

God does not wrong one person by showing mercy to another.

From: God's Eternal Decree,
found in this list: http://sovereigngrace.ddns.net:81/getdir.cgi?W-E-Best

 

[KenH]

I heartily recommend a book on the subject by Sonny Hernandez, entitled, Biblical Reprobation: A primer on the most hated and neglected doctrine, available in paperback(109 pages) and on Kindle - https://www.amazon.com/Biblical-Reprobation-primer-neglected-doctrine-ebook/


"What typically happens when gospel teachers take an uncompromising stance on the biblical doctrine of predestination? There will be many accusations. This book will clearly teach what the Word of God says in its context, and it will show Christians how to refute slanderous accusations like hyper Calvinism, etc.

Men who deny reprobation will typically say, “Be careful what you blame God for,” “Supralapsarianism is intellectual rhetoric we have no business talking about,” “This doctrine is a mystery,” and “The secret things belong to the Lord.” And the list goes on and on.

The resistance to sound doctrine is transparent. When men deny reprobation, they will try to get God off the hook, so to speak, for His absolute sovereignty. They will also apologize to people for the doctrine of reprobation, or they will simply avoid it.

Biblical clarity has been suppressed for way too long. The call for God's people to boldly and unashamedly stand for the glory of God's free and sovereign grace in Christ should be our goal. When doing so, we also see God's glory is shown in the salvation of the elect, but also seen in the reprobation of the wicked.

What should the subject of reprobation cause in our attitude? God's people are made to see their place under their Master and to honor His glorious character. These believers are also shown in Scripture how to respond to others. The doctrine of sovereign election and reprobation will humble believers, and these saints will embrace God's sovereign purpose in election with reverence and godly fear.

Believers should always remember the mercy and grace they have been shown by God, in Christ. Therefore, when teaching and discussing doctrines, believers should show mercy, love, patience, care, and compassion to others.

Our prayer is to grow more. It seems clear that believers grow and mature in humility. This book will help us get a better understanding of the doctrine of reprobation from the Scripture. May the Lord bless His Word as it is taught in truth, in its context, for His glory."

- excerpt from the foreword to the book by Scott Price

 

[KenH]

 

[Dave G]

Some supralapsarians believe in double predestination.

I suppose I'm what one would call a "supralapsarian", for the most part, even though I never learned it theologically speaking.
I have gradually come to believe in "double predestination" ( read, "active reprobation" ), because that is what I see when I read the Scriptures for myself.
For example:

" The Lord hath made all [things] for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil." ( Proverbs 16:4 ). <--- The Lord has made the wicked for the day of evil.

" Unto you therefore which believe [he is] precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, [even to them] which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed." ( 1 Peter 2:7-8 ). <------ Those that stumble at ( are confused by ) the word of God, were appointed to stumble at it.

Other passages for consideration:

John 12: 37-41 <---- God has blinded the Jews and hardened their hearts, so that they cannot see who Christ is and believe on Him.
Romans 11:7-10 <----- God has given the Jews, by and large a spirit of slumber...eyes that should not see and ears that should not hear.
Matthew 13:10-17 <----- It is given to God's elect ( in this immediate case, the Jewish elect ) to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God. To those that are "without" ( outside of Christ, see Mark 4:10-12 ), all things are done in parables.
Romans 9:14-18 <----- Salvation is of God who shows mercy. He has mercy upon whom He has mercy, and He actively hardens whom He will.
2 Corinthians 4:3-4 <---- God allows Satan to blind the minds of those that are not His.

The reprobation of those who are not elect is active, not passive.

In other words, God is sovereign and working all things after the counsel of His own will, as well as holding unbelieving men responsible not only for their sins, but for their unbelief.
God elects in spite of man's sins, and God condemns people justly to Hell for those sins.

They both go hand-in-hand, and understanding this has only made me fear ( sincerely respect ) the Lord that much more.

 

[Dave G]

With this in mind, the rest of God's word is also true...

He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked.
He does not tempt men to sin.
He makes the rain to fall on the just and on the unjust.
He blesses many unbelieving men and women in this life by allowing them to prosper ( though most, in their selfish pride and arrogance, will never thank Him for it ), and yet sets those same people ( those that are not His from the foundation of the world ) on "slippery slopes" ( Psalms 73 ).

Again, both active reprobation and His goodness that leads mankind to repentance ( Romans 2 ) go hand-in-hand.

None who are written in the Book of Life will ever be cast out, and none who are not written, though they may seek to enter in, will be allowed to do so.
Many shall seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
Many who think they are saved will be told, " I never knew you".
Many, who thought they were saved, will not be clothed with Christ's righteousness, because He did not die and shed His blood for them.

He is merciful to those who are not His, simply to show them that He is...even though, apart from a merciful work of His Spirit in them, He will never be worshiped by them.
They are left in their pride and sin precisely where He made them to be, fitted by their own actions for destruction.

He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens;
Like Pharoah.


Both God's goodness towards men and His will according to election are true.

 

[Alan Dale Gross]

God, the only Sovereign Lord, is said to Decree Reprobation Negatively,
when He Determined to Not have Mercy on those He simply did not Elect,
and this Act of God was Performed while considering all of mankind in Eternity Past,
as being in an Uncreated State, "having done no good or evil".

So, we see no Positive Condemnation done or needed by Reprobation,
which is simply an Act of Non-Election, or God Choosing to pass by and leave the rest,
based on God's Sovereignty and being according to the Will of God."


But by the Rule of Justice: there is Positive Determination and Decree God Made
to Condemn men who die in their sins without Salvation through Jesus Christ,
and yet, again, God damns the man not because he is a man 'that He didn't Elect',
but as a sinner, with no Savior, and fore-appoints him to that place and state,
by fore-seeing of him wicked, based on God's Justice according to the sin of man.

And He does so for His Own Ultimate End Result to all be for His Glory.

So, that Positive Decree of Condemning the lost sinner, ENSURES GOD'S GLORY,

whereas,
to make a Positive Decree to just not Elect, and to pass by the Non-Elect,
by Reprobation, wasn't necessary.

The reprobation of those who are not elect is active, not passive.

In other words, God is sovereign and working all things after the counsel of His own will, as well as holding unbelieving men responsible not only for their sins, but for their unbelief.
God elects in spite of man's sins, and God condemns people justly to Hell for those sins.

"Whether to be reprobated be the same
with being appointed before-hand unto eternal condemnation?

"If not, how do they differ?

"Also whether reprobation be the cause of condemnation?

"It hath been the custom of ignorant men much to quarrel at eternal reprobation, concluding, for want of knowledge in the mystery of God’s will,

"that if he reprobate any from eternity, he had as good have said, I will make this man to damn him; I will decree this man, without any consideration, to the everlasting pains of hell.

"When in very deed, for God to reprobate,
and to appoint before-hand to eternal condemnation,
are two distinct things,
properly relating to two distinct attributes,

"reprobate = God’s Attribute of Sovereignty,

"to appoint before-hand to eternal condemnation = God's Attribute of Justice,

arising from two distinct causes.


First, They are two distinct things:

"Reprobation, a simple leaving of the creature out of the bounds of God’s election;

"but to appoint to condemnation is to bind them over to everlasting punishment.

"Now there is a great difference between my refusing to make of such a tree a pillar in my house, and of condemning it unto the fire to be burned.

Second, As to the attributes;

Reprobation respects God’s Sovereignty;

"but to appoint to condemnation, His Justice (Rom 9:18; Gen 18:25).


"Third, As to the causes;

"Sovereignty being according to the Will of God,

"but Justice according to the sin of man.

"For God, though he be the only sovereign Lord, and that to the height of perfection;
yet he appointeth no man to the pains of everlasting fire, merely from sovereignty,

"but by the rule of justice: God damneth not the man because he is a man, but a sinner; and fore-appoints him to that place and state, by fore-seeing of him wicked
(Rom 1:18,19; Col 3:6).

"Again, As reprobation is not the same
with fore-appointing to eternal condemnation;
so neither is reprobation the cause of eternal condemnation.

"If reprobation be the cause of eternal condemnation, then it must either,
1. Leave him infirm.
Or, 2. Infuse sin into him.
Or, 3. Take from him something that otherwise would keep him upright.
4. Or both license Satan to tempt, and the reprobate to close in with the temptation.

But reprobation doth none of these;
therefore reprobation is not the cause of the condemnation of the creature.

"That reprobation is not the cause of sin, it is evident,

"1. Because the elect are as much involved therein, as those that are passed by.

"2. It leaveth him not infirm; for he is by an after-act, to wit, of creation, formed perfectly upright.

"3. That reprobation infuseth no sin, appeareth, because it is the act of God.

"4. That it taketh nothing, that good is, from him, is also manifest, it being only a leaving of him.

"5. And that it is not by this act that Satan is permitted to tempt, or the reprobate to sin, is manifest; because as Christ was tempted, so the elect fall as much into the temptation, at least many of them, as many of those that are reprobate: whereas if these things came by reprobation, then the reprobate would be only concerned therein. All which will be further handled in these questions yet behind.

"Object. From what hath been said, there is concluded this at least, That God hath infallibly determined, and that before the world, the infallible damnation of some of his creatures: for if God hath before the world [was made] bound some over to eternal punishment, and that as you say, for sin; then this determination must either be fallible or infallible; not fallible, for then your other position of the certainty of the number of God’s elect, is shaken; unless you hold that there may be a number that shall neither go to heaven nor hell.

"Well then, if God hath indeed determined, fore-determined, that some must infallibly perish; doth not this his determination lay a necessity on the reprobate to sin, that he may be damned; for, no sin, no damnation; that is your own argument.

"Ans. That God hath ordained (Jude 4), the damnation of some of His creatures, it is evident; but whether this his determination be positive and absolute, there is the question: for the better understanding whereof, I shall open unto you the variety of God’s determinations, and their nature, as also rise."

More at:

REPROBATION ASSERTED
OR,
THE DOCTRINE OF ETERNAL ELECTION AND REPROBATION PROMISCUOUSLY HANDLED,​

IN ELEVEN CHAPTERS.​

WHEREIN THE MOST MATERIAL OBJECTIONS
MADE BY THE OPPOSERS OF THIS DOCTRINE, ARE FULLY ANSWERED;
SEVERAL DOUBTS REMOVED, AND SUNDRY CASES OF CONSCIENCE RESOLVED.

BY JOHN BUNYAN OF BEDFORD, A LOVER OF PEACE AND TRUTH.

‘What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for;
but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.’—Romans 11:7

I have gradually come to believe in "double predestination" ( read, "active reprobation" ), because that is what I see when I read the Scriptures for myself.
For example:

" The Lord hath made all [things] for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil." ( Proverbs 16:4 ). <--- The Lord has made the wicked for the day of evil.

I see all of those verses as referring to the Positive Decree to Damn men for sin,
with the Negative Decree of Non-Election, or Reprobation, not associated with them.