Sovereign Election

who chose who???

It never ceases to amaze me. "Christians" who deny the sovereign election of God in the salvation of men. Let me be blunt: as far as I'm concerned, the FACT of God's election of men for salvation is as clear and certain to me as the doctrine of the Trinity. You think I'm exaggerating? Consider this:

"I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee." (Psalm 2:7)

At face value, this verse seems to contradict the doctrine of the Trinity, yet no one who dares to call themselves born-again Christians would ever deny, or even question, the FACT that God is triune. So why is it when Christians read verses like Joshua 24:15, or Acts 16:31, sovereign election flies out the window?

Logic and Scripture (the latter being the most important) clearly teach the FACT of God's sovereign election.

First, the logic: is God omniscient (all-knowing)? Does God know everything that is past, present and future? If you answer "yes", logic dictates that you believe in God's election. If God knew everything before He first formed anything, then in the very act of Creation, God has, in effect predestined everything that would take place. I know this is hard to wrap our heads around, but take your time, read this paragraph a few times if you have to. This is an important concept. If God knew everything about you before He created Adam, just by creating Adam, you were destined to be, and to be exactly how God willed you to be (check out Psalm 139:16).

Secondly, the insane amount of Scripture:


"And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened." (Matthew 24:22)

"For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified." (Romans 8:29-30)

"For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth." (Romans 9:11)

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved." (Ephesians 1:4-6)

"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering." (Colossians 3:12)

"But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth." (2 Thessalonians 2:13)


This is by no means an exhaustive list...not even close! To deny the doctrine of unconditional election, is to deny a key doctrine of the Bible. It is to make a myriad of Bible verses of absolute none effect. So don't fight the Truth, accept it. God has chosen His people, and that since "before the foundation of the world."

Now I understand that accepting God's sovereign election brings a whole lot of other questions like: why is man still responsible to believe? Why do Christians still need to evangelize? What about our "free-will"? My recommendation, don't be afraid to tackle these questions! Don't reject a clear teaching of Scripture just because it causes tough questions. God gave you a brain...use it!

Now please, don't take the "oh! it really doesn't matter" philosophy; if God put election in the Bible, it matters. And also, stay away from accepting contradictory doctrines, this may be an easy way out of a tough issue, but it isn't the way to understanding. God doesn't speak with a forked tongue (it's the devil who took the form of a serpent). God either chose/elected those who are and would be saved, or man must choose God before He grants him the second birth.

Be wise, consider the Scriptures, and may God give you light to understand and receive the truth of His sovereign election.

Take care and God bless,


Rand

Labels: Calvinism, Doctrines of Grace, Election