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TheDoctrineofElection,Part1

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Asyouknow,acoupleofweeksago,wecompletedourstudyinthewonderfulepistle
writtenbyJude,whichendedwithapromisethatGodisabletokeepusfromfallingand
topresentusfaultlessbeforehispresencewithglory.Andbecausethatintroducedtousthe
wonderfuldoctrineofeternalsecurity,orbetterstated,theperseveranceofthesaints,orthe
preservationofthesaints,wespentafewweekstalkingaboutthatdoctrine.Andinthe
discussionsthatIhadwithyouregardingthat,Isaidthattheendisdeterminedbythebeginning.
Oursalvationissecuretotheendbecauseoursalvationwaspredestinedintheverybeginningto
becompleted.
AndwerememberthatRomans8makesamonumentalandveryclearstatementtothatregard.
wheninRomans8theapostlePaulwrites,Forwhomheforeknew,hepredestinedtobecome
conformedtotheimageofhisSon.Thatis,allwhomGodpredestinedwillbecomeconformedto
theimageofhisSonineternalglory.Andthuswhomhepredestinedhecalled,andwhomhe
calledhejustified,andwhomhejustifiedthesehealsoglorified.Andso,wesaidthatthegreat
undergirdingfoundationaltruththatsecuresourfutureisGodsdecreeineternitypast.Itisthe
factthatwearechosenforfinalsalvationthatmakesoursalvationsecure.
Thedoctrineofelectionisadisturbingdoctrineformanypeople.Itisportrayedandpresented
thatway,asifsomehowitcallsintoquestionthegoodnessofGod,thegraceofGod.Infact,
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thereareliterallyshockingstatementsmadeaboutthisdoctrinebyprominentevangelicals.For
example,thewellknownTimLaHaye,whoisapartoftheLeftBehindseriesandmanyother
books,andTimsays,Tosuggestthatthemerciful,longsuffering,graciousandlovingGodofthe
Biblewouldinventadreadfuldoctrinelikethispredestinationwhichwouldhaveusbelieveitis
anactofgracetoselectcertainpeopleforheavenandbyexclusionothersforhellcomes
perilouslyclosetoblasphemy.Thesearestatementsthatthesegentlemenhaveputinprint.
ArnoFroesefromanotherministrywrites,Theflawedtheologyofpreselectionhecallsitis
anattempttoeliminatemanscapacitytoexercisehisfreewill,whichreducesGodssovereign
lovetoanactofameredictator.
Anotherpastor,authorandradioteachersays,ThisdoctrinemakesourheavenlyFatherlooklike
theworstofdespots.
Another,apresidentofTexasHolinessUniversitysays,Thisdoctrineisthemostunreasonable,
incongruous,selfcontradictory,manbelittling,andGoddishonoringschemeoftheologythatever
appearedinChristianthought.Noonecanacceptitscontradictory,mutuallyexclusive
propositionswithoutintellectualselfdebasement.Itholdsupaselfcentered,selfish,heartless,
remorselesstyrantforGodandbidsusworshiphim.
ACalvaryChapelpastorwrites,FivepointCalvinismwhichofcoursewouldincludethe
doctrineofelection,makesGodamonsterwhoeternallytorturesinnocentchildren.Itremoves
thehopeofconsolationfromthegospel.ItlimitstheatoningworkofChrist.Itresistsevangelism.
Itstirsupargumentationanddivision,andpromotesasmall,angryjudgmentalGodratherthanthe
largeheartedGodoftheBible.
Anothersays,TosaythatGodsovereignlychooseswhowillbesavedisthemosttwistedthingI
haveeverreadthatmakesGodamonster,nobetterthanapaganidol.
AnotherwebsitefromtheologicalstudentsinCanadasays,ThisdoctrinemakesGodadiabolical
monsterandreducesman,whowascreatedintheimageofGod,toamererobot.
AndDaveHunt,whomanyofyouknow,whohaswrittensomanyhelpfulbookssays,This
doctrinesmisrepresentationofGodhascausedmanytoturnawayfromtheGodoftheBibleas
fromamonster.
Nowtheoperativewordinallofthisseemstobemonster.Thatsomehowthisdoctrineof
electionturnsGodintoamonster.Now,theseareratherseverestatementsaboutthisdoctrine,
buttheyrepresentalargeportionoftheevangelicalworld.Andwerenottalkingaboutthe
illiterate.Werenottalkingaboutthosewhoonlyhavealimitedknowledge.Weretalkingabout
peoplewhoareleadersofministry,pastors,andwriters.Andyet,thisdoctrineistaughtin
scripture.
Thepervasivenotionoftheseskepticsandcriticsofthisdoctrineisthatsomehowelectionis
unfair.Somehowitisunjust.Butfirstofall,wewanttomakeitveryclearthatGodisnottobe
measuredbyourunderstandingofwhatisjust.Wehavetobethefirsttoadmitthatour
understandingofvirtuallyeverythingissomehowwarpedandtwistedandaffectedbyourown
sinfulness.
InPsalm50:21,Godsaid,youthoughtthatIwasaltogetherlikeyou.Andcertainlyheisnot.In
Isaiah55:8,Mythoughtsarenotyourthoughts,neitherareyourwaysmyways,declaresthe
Lord,Forastheheavensarehigherthantheearth,soaremywayshigherthanyourwaysand
mythoughtsthanyourthoughts.Andthereisthekey.Godhaswaysandthoughtsthatareto
usincomprehensible,unresolvable,inscrutable.
Thereisagreatbenedictioninthe11thchapterofPaulslettertotheRomans,inwhichhesays
this,verses33to36.Othedepthoftheriches,bothofthewisdomandknowledgeofGod.How
unsearchablearehisjudgmentsandunfathomablehisways.Forwhohasknownthemindofthe
Lord,orwhobecamehiscounselor?WhocouldknowhowGodthinks?Whocouldbesoboldas
totellGodhowheoughttothink?Forfromhimandthroughhimandtohimareallthings,tohim
bethegloryforever.Amen.
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ItisanessentialunderstandingofGodthatheisholy,thathisnatureisholy,thatheisinfinitely
andperfectlyjust,thatheismorallyflawlessandperfect,thatheisperfection.Everythinginhim
andofhimandforhimandfromhimandbyhimisperfect.Andsowhateverhesaysisjustis
whatjusticeis.
WhatistheruleofGodsjustice?WhatistheprincipleofGodsjustice?Whatisbehindhis
judgments?Whatisbehinditishisownfreewillandabsolutelynothingelse.Godmakes
determinationsbaseduponnothingbuthisownfreewill.Andwhateveritisthathewillsisby
definitionjustbecauseheisjust.Itisjustbecausehewillsit.Itisnotbecauseheseesthatitis
justthathewillsit,itisthathewillsitandthenitbecomesjust.
WilliamPerkins,aPuritan,said,WemustnotthinkthatGoddoesathingbecauseitsgoodand
right,butratherthethingisgoodandrightbecauseGoddoesit.TheCreatorowesnothingtothe
creaturewhocannotunderstandhisways,cannotunderstandhismind,cannotbehiscounselor.
Andanyway,howcouldGodeverbecalledunjustforchoosingtosavesome,becausethereare
nonewhodeservetobesaved?
Salvationneverhasbeenamatteroffairness.Andyetthatswhatpeoplesay.Thatsnotfair.
Thatsnotfair.ButIdontthinkyouwantfair,doyou?Electionisrootedinpuregrace.Heis
mostgraciousanditseemsthatheismostgracioustothosetowhomgraceseemsmost
undeserved.Therearenotmanymighty,therearenotmanynoble.Turnto1Corinthianschapter
1,andthatsagoodplacetobegin,1Corinthianschapter1.
Ididntintendtobeginhere,butwhileIwassittingtheresinging,thispassagejumpedintomy
mind.Andin1Corinthians1:26,wereadthis.Forconsideryourcallingthatisyourdivine
callingtosalvation,theeffectualsavingcallofGod.Consideryourcalling,brethren,thatthere
werenotmanywiseaccordingtotheflesh,notmanymighty,notmanynoblebutGodhas
chosenthefoolishthingsoftheworldtoshamethewise,andGodhaschosentheweakthingsof
theworldtoshamethethingswhicharestrong,andthebasethingsoftheworldandthedespised
Godhaschosen,thethingsthatarenotthathemightnullifythethingsthatare,thatnoman
shouldboastbeforeGod.
WhenGoddoeshischoosing,whenheisgracioustowhomhewillbegraciousandmercifulto
whomhewillbemerciful,itseemsasifhisgracestoopstothemostundeservingofallsothatno
onecouldboast.Verse30says,Butbyhisdoing,youareinChristJesus.IfyoureinChrist
Jesus,itsbyGodsdoing,notyours.ByhisdoingChristhasbecometouswisdomand
righteousnessandsanctificationandredemptionthatjustasitiswritten,lethimwhoboastsboast
intheLord.
WhenwecometothepeoplewhobelievethemessageintheNewTestament,theyarethepoor
andtheoutcast,andtheignoble,andtheweak,andtheharlots,andtheprostitutes,andthetax
collectors.AndGodpassesbythemighty,andthenoble,andthereligious,andtheeducated
mostoften.Therearefew.Salvationisnotamatterofjustice,itisamatterofpuregrace.And
Godhaschosentogivethatgracetothosetowhomitmightseemmostunfair.
Butwecannotbewrestlingwiththesethingsintellectuallyasifthereisgoingtobesomeanswerin
ourreason.WemustcometotheWordofGodandwemustlookatwhatthescripturesaysto
revealthetruthofthisdoctrine.Wemustnotletthisdoctrinebecomethevictimofourcorrupted
sinfulmindsandourselfcenteredandproudreasonings.
Andso,likeeveryotherbiblicaltruth,wesimplyopentheBibleandsubmitourselvestowhatit
says.Andbecauseitspainfuldoesntchangeanything.Hellisaverypainfuldoctrine,that
doesntchangeanything.Andwhileitmaybehardforustograspthis,itmaybetoourfeebleand
sinstainedmindslessthanwhatwemightthinkisfair,wesetallofthatasideandsubmit
ourselvestotheWordofGod.
Now,somepeoplethinkthatthisdoctrineofelectionissomehowalientoGodandsomehowalien
tohispurposesintheworld.Butthatcertainlyisnottrue.Itsnotasifsomehowthedoctrineof
electionsortofjumpedupoutoftheNewTestament,neverhavingappearedintheOld
Testament.Afterall,clearlyoutofallthepeopleintheworld,GodchoseIsrael.Outofallthe
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peopleintheworld,GodchoseAbrahamandremovedhimfromUroftheChaldees,andmade
himthefatherofagreatnation.ThatswhyIsraeliscalled,Psalm105:43,hischosenones.
Psalm135:4says,FortheLordhaschosenJacobforhimself.
Deuteronomy7:6and14:2says,TheLordyourGodhaschosenyoutobeapeopleforhisown
possessionoutofallthepeoplesthatareonthefaceoftheearth.AndGodsaiditwasnt
becauseyouwerebetterthananyotherpeople,itwasntbecauseyouweremoreattractivethan
anyotherpeople.GodsaiditisbecauseIofmyownfreewillpredeterminedtosetmyloveupon
youandfornootherreason.Israel,mineelect.Godcallsthem.
YoucomeintotheNewTestament,andyouhavethesamekindoflanguage.Thechurchis
calledtheelect,thechosen.Andthisisnotsomeisolatedterminreferencetothechurch.Its
repeated.InMatthewchapter24,inthatOlivetDiscoursewhereourLordistalkingaboutthe
secondcoming,hesays,Unlessthosedayshadbeencutshort,nolifewouldhavebeensaved
butforthesakeoftheelect.Elect.Thereitisasubstantive,thereitisanoun,thereitisaterm
thatdescribesbelievers,theyaretheelect,thecalledout.Itmeansthechosen,theselected,
forthesakeoftheelect.
Twoverseslaterinverse24,Falsechristsandfalseprophetswillariseandshowgreatsignsand
wonderssoastomislead,ifpossible,eventheelect.Theyrenotcalledbelievers,theyrenot
calledChristians.Theyrecalledtheelect.Andinverse31,hewillsendforthhisangels
whentheLordcomes,whenheappearsintheskycomingonthecloudswithgreatpowerand
glory,hewillsendhisangelswithagreattrumpetandtheywillgathertogetherhiselect.His
elect.Electbyhim.ThatisadesignationforthepeopleofGod.
InLuke18:6,theLordsays,Hearwhattheunrighteousjudgesaid,NowshallnotGodbring
aboutjusticeforhiselectwhocrytohimdayandnight?Again,believersarecalledhiselect,
chosen,selected.
InRomans8backtothismarvelousepistleofRomansand8:33.Thoseofuswhoaresaved,
thoseofuswhoarebelieversinthefamilyofGodwhohavebeenredeemed,regenerated,
reconciled,wenowbelongtoGod.Wehavebeendeclaredrighteous.TherighteousnessofGod
hasbeenimputedtousthroughfaithinChrist.Andverse33thensays,Whowillbringacharge
againstGodselect?Godistheonewhojustifies,andifGoddeclaresthatwearerighteous
beforehim,noonecansuccessfullybringanaccusationagainsthiselect.Again,thechurchis
calledtheelect.Ineachcaseofthelasttwopassages,Godselect,hiselect.Itsnotthatwe
elected,itsthatheelected.InColossians3:12.AndsoPaulwritesasthosewhohave
beenchosenbyGod.AsthosewhohavebeenchosenbyGod.Literally,theelectofGod.
Believers,then,arepeoplewhomGodhaschosentobelongtohim.AndintheOldTestament,
admittedly,itwasanationofpeopleontheearth,atemporalpeople.AndintheNewTestament,
theelectisaspiritualpeople.TheNewTestamentisjustfilledwiththisinescapableteaching.In
Johnchapter15andwehavetocoverthegroundtoestablishtheclarityandthebreadthofthis
designationbutinJohn15:16,Jesussaystothedisciples,Youdidnotchooseme,butIchose
you.
Idontknowhowitcouldbesaidanyclearerthanthat.Youdidnotchooseme,butIchoseyou.
Inthe17thchapterofJohnsgospelandverse9andwellcomebacktothisconceptlater,butin
17:9wereadthis.Jesusinthisgreathighpriestlyprayer,thisisintheHolyofHoliesoftheTrinity
wheretheSoncommuneswiththeFather.Andhesays,Iaskontheirbehalfhesprayingfor
hisownIdonotaskonbehalfoftheworld,butofthosewhomthouhastgivenmelistento
thisfortheyarethine.TheyareThine.Theybelongtoyou,youchosethem,yougavethemto
me.
Inthe13thchapterofthebookofActs,againthelanguageisunambiguous.InActs13:48,for
thosewhoresistthisdoctrine,heresaverseveryhardtoswallow.PaulandBarnabaswere
preaching,anditsaysinverse48,WhentheGentilesheardthisheardthemessageabout
salvationtheybeganrejoicingandglorifyingtheWordoftheLordandlistentothisandas
manyashadbeenappointedtoeternallifedidwhat?believed.Asmanyashadbeen
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appointedtoeternallifebelieved.
Gobacktothe9thchapterofRomans.Thispassage,again,strongandunmistakable,Romans
chapter9.Andyoucouldactuallystartwiththetwinsinverse11,JacobandEsau.Thetwins,
thoughtheywerenotyetborn,andhadnotdoneanythinggoodorbadinorderthatGods
purpose,accordingtohischoicemightstand,notbecauseofworkshowcouldtheydoany
works?Theywerentborn.ButbecauseofhimwhocallsitwassaidtoherthatistoRebecca,
themotherofthetwinstheolderwillservetheyounger,...JacobIlove,EsauIhated.
Wow.Beforetheywereeverborn,beforetheyhadeverdoneanythinggoodorbad,onlybecause
ofGodspurposeaccordingtohischoiceheistheonewhocallshedeterminedtheolderwould
servetheyounger.Jacobheloved,Esauhehated.yousay,Boy,thatsprettyclear.Absolutely
clear.Godmadethatchoicebeforetheywereeverborn.
Inverse14wesortofidentifywith,dontwe?Whatshallwesaythen?Thereisnoinjusticewith
God,isthere?Thisdoesntseemfair.Hesays,Mayitneverbe,mgenoitointheGreek.No,
no,no.Itsunthinkable.ThisisnothingnewforGod,tomakethiskindofchoicebetweentwo.
Thisisnothingnew,forhesaystoMoseswaybackinExodus33,IwillhavemercyonwhomI
willhavemercy.IwillhavecompassiononwhomIhavecompassion.
Soitdoesntdependonthemanwhowills,orthemanwhoruns,butonGodwhohasmercy.
Thatistosay,Godschoicedoesnotdependuponthewilloftheman,butonGod.Andverse18
says,Sothenhehasmercyonwhomhedesiresandhehardenswhomhedesires.Inescapable,
absolutelyinescapable.
InRomans11:5,aswecontinuetosurveytheliterature,inRomans11:5wereadthis.Hesjust
beentalkingaboutElijahtheprophetwhothoughtthathewastheonlyoneleft,andGodsays,
Ivekepttomyself7,000menwhohavenotbowedthekneetoBaal.Yourenotalone.There
areseventhousandfaithful.Andthenverse5says,Inthesamewaythen,therehasalsocome
tobeatthepresenttimearemnantlistentothis,aremnantofbelievingJews,inthepresent
whenPauliswritingthisaccordingtoGodsgraciouswhat?choice.AccordingtoGods
graciouschoice.
In1Peter1:1.Peter,anapostleofJesusChrist1Peter1:1tothosewhoresideasaliens
sure,becausetheyrebelieversandthereforetheyrealiensintheworld,thatarescattered
throughoutPontus,Galatia,Cappadocia,AsiaandBithynialistentothiswhoarechosen.
Whoarechosen.
AsyoureadthroughtheepistlesoftheNewTestament,whichmeansyourebasicallystarting
afterthebookofActswiththebookofRomans,asyougothroughalltheepistlesallthewayto
thebookofRevelation,everytimeyouseethewordcallorcalled,itreferstoGodseffectual
electingsovereignchoicetocallsomeonetosalvation.Thecalledarethosewhoareeffectively
called,notjustageneralcallsuchasinthegospelstatement,Manyarecalledbutfeware
chosen.Wheneverthecallisidentifiedintheepistles,itisaneffectualcall.1Corinthians1:9.
GodisfaithfulthroughwhomyouwerecalledintofellowshipwithhisSonJesusChristourLord.
Wearethechosen,andthepredestined,andthereforethecalled.
InEphesianschapter1wecontinue.InEphesians1:3.BlessedbetheGodandFatherofour
LordJesusChristwhohasblesseduswitheveryspiritualblessingintheheavenliesinChrist.
Howisthisso?Howisitthatwehavebeenblessedwitheveryspiritualblessingintheheavenlies
inChrist?Verse4,JustashechoseusinhimthatisinChristbeforethefoundationofthe
worldthatweshouldbeholyandblamelessbeforehim.Thereitis.Hechoseusbeforethe
foundationoftheworldthatweshouldbeholyandblamelessbeforehimattheendwhenwere
glorified.Verse5.HepredestinedustoadoptionassonsthroughJesusChristtohimself
listentothisaccordingtothekindintentionofhiswilltothepraiseofthegloryofhisgrace
whichhefreelybestowedonusinthebeloved.
Allthatlanguagetheresayswearechosen,wearechosenforfinalholinessandblamelessness.
Inlove,wewerepredestinedtobeadoptedassonsthroughChrist.Allofthisbecauseofthekind
intentionofGodsownuninfluencedfreewill,sothatintheendallthepraiseandglorygoestohim
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forhisgracefreelybestowedonus.
In1Thessalonians1:4,PaulwritestotheThessalonianchurchandlistentohowheidentifies
them,Knowing,brethren,andhowdoesheknow?Wellverse3.Iveseenyourworkoffaith,
Iveseenyourlaboroflove,IveseenthesteadfastnessofyourhopeinourLordJesusChristin
thepresenceofourGodandFatherandknowing,brethrenbyallofthatbelovedofGod,his
choiceofyou.Yourethechosen.Youretheelect.Itsevidentfromyourlife.
Andoneothertext,2Thessalonians2:13.2Thessalonians2:13.AndPaulagainsaystothe
Thessalonians,WeshouldalwaysgivethankstoGodforyou.Youdontthankthepersonfor
beingsmartenoughtocometoJesus,youthankGod.WeshouldalwaysgivethankstoGodfor
you,brethren,belovedbytheLord,becauseGodhaschosenyoufromthebeginningforsalvation
throughsanctificationbytheSpiritandfaithinthetruth.
Therewouldntbeanycapabilityforapersontobesanctified,andsanctificationbeginsatthe
pointofsalvation,separatedfromsin.Therewouldntbeanyhopeofsanctificationoranyhopeof
faithinthetruthunlessGodhadchosenyoufromthebeginningforsalvation.Andbecausehe
choseyou,verse14says,Itwasforthisthissanctification,thisfaithinthetruththathe
calledyouthroughourgospelsothatyoumaygainthegloryofourLordJesusChrist.Andall
thislanguageisconsistent.Hechoseyoubeforethefoundationoftheworldthatyoushouldbe
likeChrist.Hechoseyouthatyoushouldbeblamelessandholy.Hechoseyouthatyou
shouldbeultimatelyinthepresenceofhisglory.Hechoseyouthatyouwouldgainthevery
gloryoftheLordJesusChrist.Hechoseyouthatyouwouldbearhisimageinheaven.
Hechoseyouinthepast,hecalledyouapowerfuleffectualcallthatawakenedyoufromthedead
andgrantedyouclearunderstandingofthegospelinthegiftofsavingfaith.
Now,theresnowaythatyoucanconcludefromthatthatthisisanambiguousidea,right?Thisis
notindoubtintheBible.AndIveoftensaidbecauseIveansweredthisquestionmyriadtimesin
mylife.Ihavediscussedit.Ihavedebatedit.Ihavedonesoprivatelyandevenpublicly.AndI
haveoftensaid,ifyoubelievetheBible,youbelieveinpredestination.IfyoubelievetheBible,
youbelieveinGodchoosingwhowouldbesaved.IfyoubelievetheBible,youbelievethatGod
determinedwhowouldbesavedanddeterminedthatthatsalvationwouldreachitsfinal
conclusionwhentheyareglorifiedinheaven.IfyoubelievetheBible,youbelievethatGod
effectuallycallsthosethathechoosesandgrantsthemfaith.Andyetwithallthatclarity,people
stillresistthisdoctrine.
LookatRomans9.AndIwantyoutoknowhowGodhandlesthis.Thisissogood.Gobackto
wherewedroppedoutinverse18,talkingaboutJacobandEsauandhowGodhaddetermined
thatbeforetheywereeverborn.Andtheninverse19,theimaginaryopponentwhichhelpsPaul
kindofarguewithhimselfandcontinuetoclarifyhisteaching.
Hisimaginaryopponentsays,Youwillsaytomethen,Whydoeshestillfindfault,forwhoresists
hiswill?Imean,ifthisisallcutanddried,right,ifthisisalldeterminedbydivinechoicebefore
anybodyseverborn,ifthisisGodbeingmercifultowhomhewillbemercifulandhaving
compassiononwhomhewillhavecompassion,ifthisisnotaboutthemanwhowillsortheman
whoruns,ifthisisallaboutGod,thenhowcanhefindfaultwithanybody?Howcanyoublame
meifIdontbelieve?HowamIsupposedtoresisthissovereignandeternalwill?
Thatsafairlyreasonableresponse,wouldntyouthink?Andthisisthebonethatpeoplealways
chokeoninthedoctrineofelection.AndPaulanticipatedit.Youregoingtosay,Thatsnotfair
becausethenyoucantcondemnmetohell.Youcantfindfaultwithme.HowamIgoingto
resisthiswill?Verse20givesanamazingresponse,Whoareyou,Oman,whoanswersbackto
God?Shutyourmouth.Thatdoesntclarifyanything.Whodoyouthinkyouare?Areyou
accusingGodofunjustpunishmentofsinners?AreyouaccusingGodofunjustcondemnation?
AreyouaccusingGodofevil?Youbettercloseyourmouthbeforeyousayanythingelse.
Andtheillustrationisamazing.Thethingmoldedwillnotsaytothemolder,Whydidyoumake
melikethis,willit?Whenapottermakesapot,thepotdoesnttalk.Thepotdoesntsay,Well,
Idontwanttobethisshape,makemeanothershape.Thisisntfair.Iliketobelikethispot,or
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thatpot,theotherpot.Verse21.Doesntthepotterhavearightovertheclaytomakefromthe
samelumponevesselforhonorableuseandanotherforcommonuse?Thatisamazing.
DontyoudarequestionGod.Godsthepotter,youretheclay.Theclayissofarbeneaththe
potter.Itisinanimatedirt.Ithasnorighttoevenentertaintheideaofspeakingtothepotter.And
asvastasthegulfisbetweenthepotandthepotter,evenmorevastisthegulfbetweenyouand
God.Thepotter,verse21,doesn'thehavearightovertheclaytomakeitthewayhewantsto
makeit?
Andthenverse22,reallyvery,verypowerful.WhatiforwecouldsayitsowhatifGod
wantstodemonstratehiswrathandtomakehispowerknownandsoheendureswithmuch
patiencevesselsofwrathpreparedfordestruction?SowhatifGodwantstodemonstratehis
wrath?Doesnthehavearighttodemonstratehiswrath?Isntthatpartofhisglory?Cantheput
hiswrathondisplay?HeisGod.CantGodmakehispowerknowninhisjudgment,inhiswrath,
inhiscondemnation?
Yeshecan.Butpleasenoticehowverse22ends.Itflipsintopassiveverbs.ItneversaysGod
createdvesselspreparedfordestruction,thatsdoublepredestination,andtheBibledoesntteach
that.Itsaysheenduredwithmuchpatiencevesselsofwrathpassivepreparedfor
destruction.Notthathepreparedfordestruction.Goddoesntgodownthelistofhumansto
comeandsay,Okay,yougotoheaven,andyougotohell,andyouthreegotohell,andyougo
toheaven,andyoutengotohell,yougotoheaven.
TheBibledoesntteachthat.TheBibleteachesthatallmenareontheirwaytohell.AndGod
chosetorescuesomeandheenduredtheotherswhoareheadedthatwaynotbecauseof
somethingGoddid,notbecauseofadecreethatGodmadeindividuallyforthem,butbecause
theycontinueintheirsinsandarefullyguilty.Godhaseveryrighttodemonstratehiswrath,and
heisasmuchglorifiedinhiswrathasheisinhismercy.
Andverse23says,Hewillmakeknowntherichesofhisgloryonvesselsofmercy.Andhere
theverbsareactive.Hemakesthevesselsofmercy,heenduresthosethatarefittedfor
destruction.Godisactiveinredemption.Heispassiveinreprobation.
InRevelation19wearetoldtheLordGodreigns.Youknow,wehearthatandwethinkabouta
song,youknow,TheLordGodreigns,theLordreigns.Idontknowifweevenknowwhatwere
talkingaboutwhenwesaythat.Whatdoesitmean?Itmeanshemakeseverydecisionthats
everbeenmade,essentially,abouteverything.Hereigns.AstheMostHigh,herulesinthe
armiesofheavenandnonecanstayhishandorsaytohim,Whatareyoudoing?Heworksall
thingsafterthecounselofhisownwill.
Hestheheavenlypotterwhotakesholdofourfallenhumanitylikealumpofclay,andoutofithe
fashionsusintovesselsofhonorandheenduresthosewhofashionthemselvesintovesselsof
dishonor.Heisthedecideranddeterminerofeverypersonsdestiny,andthecontrollerofevery
detailofeveryindividualslife.WhichisonlyanotherwayofsayingGodisGod.AndIlltellyou
whatisreallyrepugnanttomeissomekindofanideathatGodisconstantlybeingtrumpedby
Satan.Thatsblasphemy.
Butthisdoctrineofelectionisnoteasytoaccept.Someofyouarefeelingalittlepaininyourmind
rightnow.Thisdoctrinehurtsalittle.Infact,ifIcanmakeyoufeelabitbetter,itissopainfulthat
theonlyreasonanybodybelievesinitisbecauseitsintheBible.Wejustwouldntmakeitup.No
man,nonumberofmen,nocommitteewouldevercomeupwiththis.Wewouldnevercomeup
withadoctrineofeternalhell,either,becausethesearethingsthatconflictwiththedictatesofthe
carnalmind.Theyrerepugnanttothesentimentsofthecarnalheart.
Look,IdontunderstandtheTrinity,thatdoesntmeanitsnottrue.IcantcomprehendtheTrinity.
Idontknowwhatitmeanstobethreepersonsandyetone.Icantcomprehendthevirginbirth.
Thatsincomprehensible.IcantcomprehendthecharacterofChrist,hisnature.Thereareso
manythingsIcantunderstand.Therearesomanythingsthatareincomprehensibletome,butI
believethembecausetheyrerevealedinscripture.AndIdontevenmindsometensionhere.I
dontevenmindthefactthattheBiblealsosays,Whosoeverwill,theBiblealsosaysthat,Jesus
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weptoverJerusalemandsaidyouwillnotcometomethatyoumighthavelife.
Yousay,Wellwhatisallthat?Thatssimplysayingthatanybodywillcomecancomeand
anybodywhodoescomewillbereceived.Yousay,Howdoesthatworktogetherwithelection?
Idontknow.ButarentyoucomfortedinthefactthatIdontknow,becauseifmymindwaslike
Godsmind,thatwouldbehorrific.
TheressomanythingsthatIdontknow.IfIaskyouaverysimplequestion.IfIsaytoyou,Who
wrotethebookofRomans?Whatareyougoingtosay?Youcantevensaythat,canyou?You
see,Iheardsomefeeble,Paul.Andthenyoureallofasuddenholdingitupbecauseyouknow
thatsnotthecompleteanswer,right?Yousay,Well,theHolySpiritwroteit.Well,wasitPaulor
theHolySpirit?Well,itwasbothofthem.Well,whatdoesthatmean?Paulwroteaverse,the
HolySpiritwroteaverse,Paulwroteaverse,theHolySpiritwroteaverse?Howdowe
understandthat?
Yousay,IseverywordoutofthemindofPaul?EverywordoutofthevocabularyorPaul?Every
wordoutofhisheart?Absolutely.Butalso,everywordcamefromtheHolySpirit.Howcanthat
be?Thatisanincomprehensibleandinscrutabletome.
Icanaskyouanotherquestionsinceyoudidsowellonthatone.WasJesusGodorman?Yes.
Therightanswerisyes.Buthowcouldyoube100percentGodand100percentman?Youcant
be200percentofsomething?HowcanyoubeallmanandallGod?Thatisbeyondour
comprehension.Whenwesay100percentofsomething,thatsit.Butifyourefullyman,then
youcantbefullyGod.IfyourefullyGodyoucantbefullyman,andyethewas.Imean,itjust
goesonandonlikethis.
IfIaskyouanothersimplequestion.WholivesyourChristianlife,whatareyougoingtosay?
Comeon,youvegottodothiseveryday.WholivesyourChristianlife?Yousay,Ido.Really.
Really,youdo?Yousay,No,Idont.Yousay,ItsChristwhodoesit.Sowegoingtoblameit
allonhim?Imean,wecantgiveyouthecreditandwecantgivehimtheblame,sowevegota
problemhere.
Youknow,therewasthepietistswhosaid,IwillbeatmybodyanddisciplinemyselfandIwilllive
myChristianlife.Andthentherewerethequietists,youknow,liketheQuakerswhosaid,Letgo
andletGod.Andtheyjustwentintopassivemode,youknow.AndtheKeswickmovementcame
outofthat,andthecrucifiedlife,andallthesekindofstrangequietisticviews.Whoisitlivingyour
Christianlife?
Yousay,Welliftheresanythingwrong,itsme,anythingright,itshim.Andtheysayitsa
mysterythatsinconceivable.TheApostlePaulsaidthisaboutthat,hesaid,Iamcrucifiedwith
ChristGalatians2:20neverthelessIlive,yetnotI.See,hedidntknoweither.Youhavea
JohnMurraysaidmanyyearsagothatineverymajordoctrineoftheBiblethereisanapparent
paradox.Thereisanunresolvedparadoxthatistranscendent.AndthismeansGodisGodand
thefactthattherearesomanyofthoseinthescripturemeansthescripturewasnotwrittenby
men.Iknoweditors,theyfixthingslikethat.
SobecausewebelievethatJesusisGoddoesntmeanwedontbelievehesman.Becausewe
believethathewasbornofahumanmotherdoesnotmeanwedontbelievehewasbornofGod.
Becausewemustpersevereinourfaithdoesntmeanwearentsecure.BecausetheBiblewas
writtenbyhumanauthorsdoesntmeanwedontbelieveitwasntwrittenbytheHolySpirit.
BecausewehavetodisciplineourselvestolivetheChristianlifedoesntmeanwedontbelieve
thatitsnotChristinus.Andbecausewebelieveinthedoctrineofelectiondoesntmeanwedont
believeinhumanresponsibility.Theseareapparentparadoxeswecantresolve.But,thedanger
is,youdestroythetruthandcomeupwithsomerationalisticmiddleground.Thatsdangerous.
So,theunmistakableteachingofscriptureisthedoctrineofelection.Eventheforeknowledge
Petertalksabout1Peter1foreknowledge,chosenaccordingtotheforeknowledgeofGod,look
atthatforjustaminute.IllfinishthishereandwellpicktherestofitupnextSundaynight.Butin
1Peter1:1,hesaysthatwearechosen,whoarechosen.Andtheninverse2,Accordingtothe
foreknowledgeofGod.Theysay,Oh,thatsit.Thatsthekeyrightthere.Accordingtothe
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foreknowledgeofGod.Andimmediatelytheyllsay,Whatdoesthatmean?Thatmeansthat
Godknowswhatyouregoingtodo,right?Beforeyoudoit,foreknowledge.
AndGod,waybackineternitypast,becauseheknowseverythingthatsgoingtohappenlooked
downtheannalsofhistoryandsaid,Ah,Iseewhatsgoingtohappen,thatJohnMacArthur,hes
goingtobebornintothatChristianfamilyanduhhuh,hesgoingtohearthegospelandhes
goingtobelievethegospelsoImgoingtochoosehim.Youthinkthatsstrange?Thatswhat
mostChristiansbelieve.ThatswhatmostChristiansbelieveandteach.
Butthisislikeforesight,aboutwhatpeoplewilldo.Nowtheproblemwiththisishowarethese
deadsinnersgoingtoresurrectthemselvestodothisunaidedbyGod?Youanswerthat
question.Howarethosewhoaretotallydepraved,totallyblind,totallydeadgoingtocometothe
placewheretheymakethedecisionforsalvation?Howtheygoingtodothat?
Can'tdoit.Cantheleopardchangehisspots?CantheEthiopianchangehisskin?Neithercan
youdogoodwhoareevil.Howisthatgoingtohappen?IfGodjustlooksdownandseeswhos
goingtomakethedecision,thenhiselectionisnotbasedonhisownfreewill,itsbasedontheir
merit,right?Itsbasedontheirmerit.ThegoodguysaregoingtochoosemeandsoImgoingto
choosethem.
Thishasnothingtodowithallthoseversesweread,absolutelynothingtodowiththem.Andby
theway,itsays,WearechosenaccordingtotheforeknowledgeofGod.ButIwantyoutolook
atverse20verse19whatsthelastwordinverse19?Whatisit?Christ.Okay.Christ
nowwatchthisone,Christ,forhewasforeknownbeforethefoundationoftheworld.Oh,weve
gotaproblem.IfforeknowledgemeansthatGodlooksaheadandseeswhatsgoingtohappenin
verse2,thenbeingforeknownmustmeanthesamethinginverse20,right?
SodoesthatmeanthatGodlookeddownhistoryandsaid,Ohlookatthat.Christisgoingtogive
hislife.Well,ifhesgoingtodothat,IllmakehimtheSavior.Imean,obviouslyforeknowledge
cantmeanthatbecauseJesussaidhecamenottodohisownwillbutthewillofhisFather.
ThatswhyheiscalledChrist,mineelect.
Yousay,Well,whatdoesforeknowledgemean?Itsprognosis,prognsis.Wegettheword
prognosisfromit,usedinmedicalterms.Itisapredeterminedchoice.Itisapredetermined
choice.Christwasforeknown.Thatis,hewasknownbyGodintheintimatesenseastheSavior,
theRedeemerbeforethefoundationoftheworld.Itstalkingabouttheintimatekindofknowing.
LikeitsaysintheOldTestament,IsraelonlyhaveIknown.DoesthatmeantheJewsarethe
onlypeopleGodknowsabout?No,itsthekindofknowingthatyouhaveinGenesis.Cainknew
hiswifeandsheboreason.Thatdoesntmeanheknewhername.Itdoesntmeanheknewwho
shewas.Itmeanshehadanintimaterelationshipwithherandoutofitcameason.
JesussaidthisinJohn10,MysheephearmyvoiceandIknowthem.Hestalkingaboutan
intimateloverelationship.TheshockwasthatMarywaspregnantandJosephhadneverknown
her.Wetalkaboutthateventoday.Weusetheexpressioncarnalknowledge,meaningasexual
union,anintimateknowledge.Whatyouhavehereinforeknowledgeisapredetermined
intimacy.JustastheFatherhadapredeterminedrelationshipwiththeSonthatwouldbringhim
tobethesacrificeforsintoshedhispreciousbloodasalambunblemishedandspotless,sothe
Fatherhadapredeterminedrelationshipwiththosewhomhechose.Foreknowledgeisa
deliberatechoice.
Oneotherpassagesealsthatcase.Acts2:23,andIllclosewiththis,promise.Thisisalotto
cover.Acts2:23.Thisendsalldiscussion,ifthereisanyleft,onthesubjectofforeknowledge.
Petergetsupinverse22andhepreaches,Jesus,theNazarene,amanattestedtoyoubyGod
withmiraclesandwondersandsigns,whichGodperformedthroughhiminyourmidst.Thisman
verse23,thisJesusdelivereduptheythoughttheyhadcrucifiedhim,theythoughtitwas
theirplan.No,no.thismandeliveredupbythepredeterminedplanandwhatsthenext
phrase?foreknowledgeofGod,younailedtoacrossbythehandsofgodlessmenandputhim
todeath.
Youreguilty.Youreculpable.Youdidit.Youdiditwithyourownwill.ButGodhad
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predetermineditwouldbedone.Itwassetinhispredeterminedplanandforeknowledge.Thatis
topredetermine,toforeknow,isnotsimplytohaveinformationaboutwhatsgoingtohappen,but
topredetermineit.Soweunderstand,then,thattheBibleisveryclearonthedoctrineofelection.
ThatraisesthecompellingquestionaboutwhyGoddidthis.Andthatquestionisgoingtobe
answerednextSundaynightinwhatIbelieveisthemostcompelling,themostpowerful,themost
sweepingunderstandingofredemptionthatispossibletoknow.AndIthinkifyourewithusnext
Sundaynight,yourmindwillnotonlybesatisfied,butyoursoulwillbesatisfied,andoutofitwill
comeagreaterjoyinyoursalvationthanyouveeverknown.Butwellsavethatfornexttime.
Letspray.
Father,wearethrilledwiththisglorioustruth,thrilled,stunnedreallythatyouvechosenusandwe
askthequestionwhyus?Whyus?Wethankyou,OGod,foryourgracioussalvationandwe
thankyouthatthatsalvation,eventhoughwecantcomprehendit,isopentoanyonewholooksto
Christandbelievesinhim.Whosoeverwillmaycome.Howyouharmonizethatwithyour
sovereignelectionisforyoutounderstandandnotforus.
ButweknowJesusweepsoverthosewhowillnotcome.Wethankyouontheonehand,for
thosewhohavenotembracedChrist,mayyouawakentheirdeadsouls,givesighttotheirblind
eyes,maytheyseeChristirresistiblybeforethemandruntohimforsalvation.Weprayinhis
name.Amen.

RelatedResources(free):
DieLehrederAuserwhlung,Tiel2(German)
DieLehrederAuserwhlung,Tiel3(German)
DieLehrederAuserwhlung,Teil1(German)
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