How Does Predestination Fit With Choice?

To most Christians, predestination and choice seem at odds with each other. Either we believe we can choose Christ or Christ chose us to be saved. But can both be true?

I like John MacArthur's answer to this question. Both are true. Though we can't wrap our minds around how we can be both chosen and having chosen to follow the Lord, both are true because both are in the Bible.

Deuteronomy 7:6 (KJV) shows how God chose Israel. "For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth."

Likewise, 1 Peter 2:9 (KJV) shows how we faithful are chosen by God. "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:"

God also asks people to decide between following him or going their own way. Deuteronomy 30:19 (KJV) clearly states, "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:"

The Apostle Paul, speaking to the Greeks, said in Acts 17:30 (KJV) that before Christ's coming, "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:"

Jesus also said, in reference to the slaughter of Jewish worshippers by Pilate in Luke 13:5 (KJV), "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."

I'll be writing more about this seaming contradiction in my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? Just because we can't understand how  predestination and choice can be true doesn't mean that one or the other is false. It's like light. It's made of waves and particles, yet both states apply to it.