For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

Doris Day Had It Wrong

In the 1950s and 1960s, Doris Day was a successful American actress and singer. She starred in numerous movies and made many music recordings. In the Alfred Hitchcock movie, “The Man Who Knew Too Much,” starring opposite Jimmy Stewart, Day sang what would become her signature song, “Que Sera Sera.” The English-language phrase suggested a “cheerful fatalism” as whatever was going to be would be. While the song is a pleasant melody made popular by the charming Doris Day, the content of the song suggests a fatalistic view of life that is out of the person’s control. In other words, whatever will happen in life has been predetermined.

The philosophy of fatalism is rooted in the doctrine of Calvinism. Calvinists believe God establishes the future and is unmovable. John Calvin taught all men are totally depraved in spirit with no hope of redemption. If a man is to be saved, it can only be done by the unconditional election of God, forcing the individual to receive salvation. When Jesus died on the cross, His death was limited to only those who God had chosen before the foundation of the world. There was nothing a man could do to be saved if God did not choose him. Through the irresistible grace of God, a man is given eternal life, and once he is saved, nothing can change his state of salvation. This is better known as “once saved, always saved.”

Calvinism is a predominate philosophy found in many forms in almost all faiths. Some religious groups embrace the full doctrine of Calvin, while others only accept a few. There are those in the Lord’s church who unknowingly follow a Calvinistic doctrine of “Que Sera Sera” that God controls everything and determines everything that will be done in life without the approval of the human heart. Whatever is to be has been determined. If a man dies, God made that happen. Language such as “It was his time” or “His number was up” follow the Calvinistic model of God’s omniscience.

The Bible teaches that every man possesses self-determination or free will. God works His will in the affairs of men as he chooses, but He will not and cannot force His will upon the human heart without denying His righteousness. Whatever the future will be is determined by the free will of a man’s heart to serve God or follow the devil. God does not predetermine salvation for individuals. Jesus said, “Whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” That is a choice of man. He can say yes or no. If a man finds himself in the torments of eternal condemnation, he can only blame himself.

God sends His rain on the just and the unjust. The blessings of life can be enjoyed by anyone who receives those blessings. Through the working of the Holy Spirit, God revealed Himself to man in the written word to bring the heart to an obedient faith. Jesus said those who are saved are those who do the will of the Father. Salvation is a choice. No one can be saved by being only good or religious. God cannot save a heart that refuses to accept His will. What the future holds is in your hands, and you will decide. That decision will be yours to take with you when you stand before God. What is your eternal future? That will be your choice.