TIME was, not so long since, when many deeply religious people suffered from fear because of their belief in the doctrine of predestination as popularly accepted. Strange as it may seem, it was held that while the divine purpose provided for the salvation of some, it was also decreed that vast numbers would be lost; and this through no fault of their own. As thus regarded, there was always a dread uncertainty as to one's eternal fate, and little wonder; yet the Scriptures are by no means silent on this momentous question. It matters not that material theories may have been built up around spiritual facts; for when the spiritual idea is understood, mortal beliefs are given up for the truth.
Here we may remind ourselves that the teachings and mighty works of Christ Jesus shook the very foundations of age-long beliefs; yet he said, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil." Christian Science is a religion of fulfillment, and not a mere reaching out for some desired good, temporal or eternal. It gives a certainty that the realization of all good is dependent upon divine law, and that this law must be known and obeyed. There can be no uncertainty as to the divine purpose for man; and this is beautifully expressed in Mrs. Eddy's words respecting Abraham, on page 579 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," where we read, "This patriarch illustrated the purpose of Love to create trust in good, and showed the life-preserving power of spiritual understanding."
It seems strange that there should ever have been any question as to God's purpose for all His children, call it predestination or what you will. That is what Paul names it in his wonderful eighth chapter of Romans, and he begins his declaration by saying that "all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Then he goes on to make clear the ultimate of predestination in the following words: "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son."
