Lesson #8—Execution of His Decrees

Shorter Catechism Q & A # 8

Q. How doth God execute his decrees?

A. God executeth his decrees in the works of creation and providence.

Memorize Q & A—Exposition

God executes his decrees by carrying out his purpose, bringing to pass what he has ordained. Thus we are called “saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” [Rom. 8:27–28]; “Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise” [Gal. 4:28].

What does it mean?

Ephesians 1:11–12: Discuss the meaning of God’s counsel and purpose.

Acts 4:26–28: How is the counsel of God shown concerning Christ?

John 19:10–11: Discuss the authority of heaven and the action of Pilate.

What is our practice?

How shall we apply the doctrine of God’s Eternal Decree to our faith and worship?

Discuss the following statement from the Westminster Confession of faith: “The doctrine of this high mystery of predestination is to be handled with special prudence and care, that men attending the will of God revealed in His Word, and yielding obedience thereunto, may, from the certainty of their effectual vocation, be assured of their eternal election. So shall this doctrine afford matter of praise, reverence, and admiration of God, and of humility, diligence, and abundant consolation to all that sincerely obey the gospel.” (4.8)

Quotes for thought and discussion:

God has a plan.

“In recognizing that the eternal God has an eternal plan in which is predetermined every event that comes to pass, the Calvinist simply recognizes that God is God, and frees Him from all human limitations. The Scriptures represent God as a person, like other persons in that His acts are purposeful, but unlike other persons in performing. They see the universe as the product of His creative power, and as the theater in which are displayed His glorious perfections, and which must in all its form and all its history, down to the last detail, correspond with His purpose in making it.” (Loraine Boettner)

Election of the saints.

“God has from the beginning freely, and of His mere grace, without any respect of men, predestinated or elected the saints, whom He will save in Christ, according to the saying of the apostle, ‘According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world’ (Eph. 1:4); and again, ‘Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus, before the world began, but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Tim. 1:9–10). (Second Helvetic Confession, X)

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