Author	Thread: Election: God chooses His Own......
Admin	Election: God chooses His Own...... Posted : 6 Nov, 2011 07:08 PM ELECTION GOD CHOOSES HIS OWN by J.I. Packer For [God] says to Moses, �I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.� It does not, therefore, depend on man�s desire or effort, but on God�s mercy. ROMANS 9:15-16 The verb elect means �to select, or choose out.� The biblical doctrine of election is that before Creation God selected out of the human race, foreseen as fallen, those whom he would redeem, bring to faith, justify, and glorify in and through Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:28-39; Eph. 1:3-14; 2 Thess. 2:13-14; 2 Tim. 1:9-10). This divine choice is an expression of free and sovereign grace, for it is unconstrained and unconditional, not merited by anything in those who are its subjects. God owes sinners no mercy of any kind, only condemnation; so it is a wonder, and matter for endless praise, that he should choose to save any of us; and doubly so when his choice involved the giving of his own Son to suffer as sin-bearer for the elect (Rom. 8:32). The doctrine of election, like every truth about God, involves mystery and sometimes stirs controversy. But in Scripture it is a pastoral doctrine, brought in to help Christians see how great is the grace that saves them, and to move them to humility, confidence, joy, praise, faithfulness, and holiness in response. It is the family secret of the children of God. We do not know who else he has chosen among those who do not yet believe, nor why it was his good pleasure to choose us in particular. What we do know is, first, that had we not been chosen for life we would not be believers now (for only the elect are brought to faith), and, second, that as elect believers we may rely on God to finish in us the good work that he started (1 Cor. 1:8-9; Phil. 1:6; 1 Thess. 5:23-24; 2 Tim. 1:12; 4:18). Knowledge of one�s election thus brings comfort and joy. Peter tells us we should be �eager to make [our] calling and election sure� (2 Pet. 1:10)�that is, certain to us. Election is known by its fruits. Paul knew the election of the Thessalonians from their faith, hope, and love, the inward and outward transformation of their lives that the gospel had brought about (1 Thess. 1:3-6). The more that the qualities to which Peter has been exhorting his readers appear in our lives (goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, love: 2 Pet. 1:5-7), the surer of our own election we are entitled to be. The elect are, from one standpoint, the Father�s gift to the Son (John 6:39; 10:29; 17:2, 24). Jesus testifies that he came into this world specifically to save them (John 6:37-40; 10:14-16, 26-29; 15:16; 17:6-26; Eph. 5:25-27), and any account of his mission must emphasize this. Reprobation is the name given to God�s eternal decision regarding those sinners whom he has not chosen for life. His decision is in essence a decision not to change them, as the elect are destined to be changed, but to leave them to sin as in their hearts they already want to do, and finally to judge them as they deserve for what they have done. When in particular instances God gives them over to their sins (i.e., removes restraints on their doing the disobedient things they desire), this is itself the beginning of judgment. It is called �hardening� (Rom. 9:18; 11:25; cf. Ps. 81:12; Rom. 1:24, 26, 28), and it inevitably leads to greater guilt. Reprobation is a biblical reality (Rom. 9:14-24; 1 Pet. 2:8), but not one that bears directly on Christian behavior. The reprobates are faceless so far as Christians are concerned, and it is not for us to try to identify them. Rather, we should live in light of the certainty that anyone may be saved if he or she will but repent and put faith in Christ. We should view all persons that we meet as possibly being numbered among the elect. Post Reply
View Profile History	Election: God chooses His Own...... Posted : 7 Nov, 2011 09:14 AM Here is another way of putting it George if you wrote Aunt Sue and told her you lost all your front teeth, it would be the truth to all George even if the letter was to Sue. But then again the word of God was written for man to believe. Post Reply
View Profile History	Election: God chooses His Own...... Posted : 7 Nov, 2011 09:21 AM Elisha, John 3:16 does NOT say that even one person WILL believe in Jesus. It just says that anyone who does, is saved. The word "Whosoever" just means anyone that will. It does not mean that anyone has the ability to believe in Jesus. If I say Whosoever gives me ten million dollars I will build them a house, then there will be a LOT of people who don't have ten million dollars, so they CAN'T do it. Here is the problem Elisha, The church you attend has ignored large sections of Scripture, and you have thought things about God that make sense naturally, but are not what the Bible actually says. In America today, most Christians believe things about God, that Christians throughout history did not believe. If you go here: http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/onsite/gracelist.html You can read the whole list of Scriptures that are never taught in most of our churches today. the truth is, Elisha, that God chose the Jews and no one else in the ancient world. God then expanded His chosen people to include people from all over the world. But God is the one who saves us. And He is the one who decides whom He will show mercy to. I know that this might be shocking for you to hear, but God is good, and merciful to save us. God is not obligated to save anyone, but He has chosen to save more people than anyone can count. In Christ, James Post Reply
View Profile History	Election: God chooses His Own...... Posted : 7 Nov, 2011 09:34 AM James my sister response will be the truth, it is known by all Christians the simple truth's of the word of god so take heed and listen, for it is you that does not acknowledge scripture. Post Reply
View Profile History	Election: God chooses His Own...... Posted : 7 Nov, 2011 11:38 AM PEEjay says: James my sister response will be the truth, it is known by all Christians the simple truth's of the word of god so take heed and listen, for it is you that does not acknowledge scripture. Me: Hey PEEJ; Spoken just like a true psuedoprophetes. Me Post Reply
View Profile History	Election: God chooses His Own...... Posted : 7 Nov, 2011 11:49 AM George that message to is just as much to you, George I am aware of your dishonour of the lord, as you do it with every opportunity you can ,I unders tand the dishonour is in the twisting of the word of God to exalt one's ownself. Just remember he still loves you, but your words that you are trusting him are obviously not true for your actions always prove otherwise. Post Reply
elishabroadway View Profile History	Election: God chooses His Own...... Posted : 7 Nov, 2011 12:25 PM The Word of God is not up for asumptions or twisting its not to be played with John 3:16 & 17 says I dont know how many times THE WORLD.. not part of the world,some of the world or the chosen of the wold BUT THE WORLD.. So the spirit will call everyone in the world to repentence ,to say that God will only seek to save certain people is not biblical salvation is availible to the whole world, My statements are clear and I have given scripture to prove them, the statements for election are confusing and twisted at best, I dont understand how you can confuse John 3:16 Post Reply
View Profile History	Election: God chooses His Own...... Posted : 7 Nov, 2011 01:35 PM Elisha, "the World" in John 3:16 does not mean even one person has the ability to believe in Jesus. It just says who ever will believe in Him. You are reading something in the verse that is NOT written there. WHAT does John 3:16 say about people who will believe in Jesus? Does it say they will be "over 31 years old"? Does it say that "everyone in the whole world will believe in Him"? Does it say that "Everyone in China will believe in Him"? NO. It ONLY says, "whosoever" meaning that anyone who DOES believe in Jesus is saved. You can't add things into a verse that are NOT THERE. Niow, I have a question for you........... In John 6 Jesus says TWICE, "No one CAN come to me unless the Father draws them" Also Jesus says that "Many are called but few are chosen." Can you explain these two verses to me. In Christ, James Post Reply
View Profile History	Election: God chooses His Own...... Posted : 7 Nov, 2011 01:42 PM James there is no need to explain you have yet to accept the word of God Jn 3;16 Post Reply
elishabroadway View Profile History	Election: God chooses His Own...... Posted : 7 Nov, 2011 02:15 PM Yes the spirit will draw every man , maybe not every man all the time but God will draw every man to repentence at some point and some will recieve him and some will not like the parabel of the sower yes I do believ that God knows who will and will not recieve the word but he is so merciful and so full of grace that he will still give them the chance, and you are twisting what I said.. In Jong 3 :16 he sent his son to save the world right? and it isnt his will that any should perish what I was saying is if it were possible he would want everyone to recieve salvation however for that to happen he would have to force us to recieve it and he will never ever force his self on us, so it breaks Gods heart when men deny him because he is there and salvation is availible.. this doctrine that God picks and chooses and salvation isnt availible to everyone is sad and isnt the merciful God I know he wants to save every soul but every soul will not heed the call . Is it then your opinion that God isnt almighty and doesnt have to power to draw all men to him? or maybe you think that you for some reason are different or better or more special than someone else and so God draws you and not that person that just doesnt make sence Post Reply
View Profile History	Election: God chooses His Own...... Posted : 7 Nov, 2011 02:53 PM Elisha, The reason it does not make sense to you, is that you believe that mankind can come to God by them making a decision. I realize that this is only natural to think this way, but it is the opposite of what the Bible teaches. I am going to say somethings now, and please remember that everything I am going to say, I can back up with MANY Scriptures that are CLEAR AND PLAIN. Not only that, but what I am about to say has been believed by Christians throughout church history: 1. Because of the FALL of Adam and Eve, ALL OF MANKIND is born totally spiritually DEAD, with a will enslaved to sin. NO ONE would EVER choose to repent and trust in Jesus if they were left to their own desires. 2. God, before the world was ever made, CHOSE to save a gigantic number of people, and he wrote their names in the book of life, and He chose them NOT because of anything they would do, but just because He wanted to. 3. Jesus died SPECIFICALLY for these people, and literally paid for all their sins the day He died on the cross. 4. Any Person that God has chosen, and Jesus died for, will have the Holy Spirit come and make them come alive spiritually, and they WILL repent and trust in Jesus. Because when the Holy Spirit makes them alive spiritually, they will WANT to. 5. God will CAUSE ALL of His chosen people to persevere to the very end. Feel free to ask for multiple Scriptures on any of these points. In Christ, James Post Reply

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