Election and Decision Scripture teaches both truths of God’s election and man’s decision as shown in the experience of the Thessalonian Christians. Paul and Silas came to Thessalonica with the Gospel (Acts 17:1-4). They spent three Sabbath days reasoning from the Scriptures concerning the death and resurrection of Christ resulting in a number who believed. Reflecting on this event, Paul in his letter to the Thessalonian Christians spoke of the power of the Holy Spirit in conversion (1 Thess 1:5-6). The people heard the Word, were convinced in the mind through the reasoning of the Scriptures, convicted by the Holy Spirit and were saved. After having received Christ, they discovered that they had been chosen to salvation (2 Thess 2:13-14). From the perspective of human decision, whosoever “believeth in Him” will have everlasting life (John 3:16) and as “many as received Him” are the sons of God (John 1:12). And “whosoever will” may take the water of life freely (Rev 22:17). But from the perspective of God’s sovereignty in election, God has “chosen us” before the foundation of the world (Eph 1:4), we are called God’s elect (Rom 8:33) having being “predestinated” to be God’s children (Eph 1:5). How is it that man can exercise his will to confess with the mouth and believe in the heart (Rom 10:9-10) and “whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved” (Rom 10:13) but at the same time, he is chosen and elected before the foundation of the world? Spurgeon was once asked how he could reconcile these two truths. His reply was: “I never try to reconcile friends”. We get a glimpse of the wisdom and honesty of this man who was an ardent Calvinist. God’s election and man’s decision are not necessarily “irreconcilable enemies”. The twin truths of election and decision are complementary being “friends”. As far as God the Father is concerned, we were saved when He chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world (Eph 1:4). As far as the Holy Spirit is concerned we were saved when we were convicted of sin (John 16:8), when we responded to His call, believed (1 John 5:1) and received Christ (John 1:12). As far as the Son of God is concerned, we come into the full experience of fellowship with Him when we hear His voice and open the door to His knock (Rev 3:20). Let us bow down and worship our Father in thanksgiving for such a blessed and wonderful salvation He has given us.
Posted on: Wed, 23 Oct 2013 13:15:08 +0000
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