Unconditional Election
According to
Holy Scripture the very first work of God's grace in saving his people was that
of election. No doctrine in the Bible is more delightful and comforting than
the doctrine of ELECTION. This is not a doctrine taught in a few isolated
passages of Scripture. It is taught prominently throughout the Word of God. The
doctrine of election, simply stated, is the teaching that GOD CHOSE SOME OF
ADAM'S RACE TO BE THE OBJECTS OF HIS GRACE AND PREDESTINATED THEM UNTO ETERNAL
SALVATION IN CHRIST BEFORE THE WORLD BEGAN.
Does the Bible teach this doctrine? Yes!
It is impossible to read the Book of God and miss the doctrine of election
(Psa. 65:4; Matt. 20:28; John 15:16; Rom. 8:28-30; 9:11-13; 11:5; Eph. 1:3-6;
II Thess. 2:13-14; I Pet. 1:2). What do these passages of Scripture teach about
God's electing grace?
1. ELECTION IS IN CHRIST. We were chosen
in him, chosen to be like him, and accepted in him. All grace is in Christ. All
that God does for sinners is in Christ.
2. ELECTION IS UNCONDITIONAL. God did not
choose us because he "foreknew" that we would do good! He chose us
because he loved us, even though he "foreknew" what sinners we would
be!
3. ELECTION IS UNTO SALVATION. Election is
not salvation, but there could be no salvation without it. We could never be
saved, had God not chosen to save us.
4. ELECTION TOOK PLACE BEFORE THE WORLDS
WERE MADE. The Lamb's Book of Life is not being written in time. Every name
that shall be found in that book when the world has been destroyed was written
there before the world was made.
5. ELECTION IS THE FOUNTAIN HEAD OF ALL
GRACE. Read the first chapter of Ephesians carefully. Every blessing of grace
from adoption to redemption, to forgiveness, to regeneration, to the
resurrection of the body, to the inheritance of the saints in glory, flows
freely to chosen sinners "according as" God has chosen them in
Christ!
The doctrine of election declares that
"Salvation is of the Lord!" It is not the will of man in time that is
the determining factor in salvation, but the will of God in eternity. He
declares, "I will have mercy on whom I will have
mercy!"
Don Fortner