Double Predestination 3.

Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
(2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 ESV)

Here is another set of verses which have been misused to teach God’s predestination of sinners to being lost. At the surface we do see God sending delusion in order that people believe falsely. So with this conclusion it is no longer the sinner who is at fault but it is God who did not want that sinner. When one reads the entire passage these are people who did not believe the truth and pleasured in unrighteousness. Sinner is at fault as is always the case in scripture.

This false teaching can and has offended believers who are weak and sinful creatures. At times one can struggle, in what looks to be futility, with sin and doubt. This dreadful and non scriptural teaching teaching that God does not want certain people will take the sinners eyes off Jesus and on themselves for assurance. One maybe unable to know that Jesus even died for the under those circumstances. What a tragedy these offenses are for no other reason than to make it all sensible to the finite sinner’s logic and reason.

The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.
(2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 ESV)

Again close context shows that through the activity of Satan and his power and false wonder will do the deceiving not Our Father. Those who are believing a lie and are dying in sin is at fault for refusing to love the truth and be saved. This casts the fault back on the lost sinner where it belongs.

We can with confidence behold our Jesus crucified for our sin and raised again for our justification. Scripture leaves no doubt whatsoever Jesus’ sacrifice is for us and for all people.

Trust this good news and live in its peace. Amen. †