Men in general do not see the doctrine of Election in the Bible, for the same reason that Atheists do not see God, and thieves do not see the police . . . because their depraved and rebellious hearts DO NOT WANT TO SEE IT!
The truth of sovereign election is the most humbling doctrine there is! It asserts that man can do nothing to save himself apart from God, and THAT is something men do not want to hear! To deny that man has a 'free-will' is to enthrone God and dethrone man! It is to give the glory due unto God and place man in the dust where he belongs! And that is something man does not want to do! Like the men in the parable of the talents, fallen man's outcry is "We will not have this man to reign over us"! [Luke 19:14]
So what do they do when they come across clear passages that speak of Election or the Total depravity of man? Why, they explain it away!
�Oh yes, the Bible does mention �Election� in a few places . . . but Election or Predestination is nothing but God looking into the future and seeing who will accept Him with their own �free-will� and believe� say the false teachers. And THAT is exactly what fallen, depraved and un-regenerated men in their pews want to hear! And so the nominal �bench-warmers� will commend their �pastor� for the error! �Oh thank you so much for explaining this difficult portion to us, Pastor. We were so troubled and confused as to how our loving god who loves every one and hates no one could be guilty of what some �Calvinists� believe � i.e. that God loves one and hates another without giving them a �fair chance�! But you have so beautifully explained it to OUR satisfaction�!
Remember this beloved, a true setting forth of the doctrines of Election and reprobation will ALWAYS result in TWO things � one it will command the love and respect of God�s true sheep and two it will raise the hatred and ire of the reprobate!
The Master was hated and hounded for preaching Sovereign Grace, and YOU are not greater than Him and so you can expect the same treatment!
�And He said, Verily, I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country. But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land; But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow. And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian. And all they in the synagogue, WHEN THEY HEARD THESE THINGS, were FILLED WITH WRATH, And rose up, and thrust Him out of the city, and led Him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast Him down headlong�! [Luke 4:24-29]
But do I now persuade men, or GOD? Or do I seek to please MEN? For if I yet pleased men, I SHOULD NOT BE the servant of Christ! [Gal 1:10]
Men in general do not see the doctrine of Election in the Bible, for the same reason that Atheists do not see God, and thieves do not see the police . . . because their depraved and rebellious hearts DO NOT WANT TO SEE IT!
True to a point, but any and all man has the ability to know and respond to God.
The truth of sovereign election is the most humbling doctrine there is! It asserts that man can do nothing to save himself apart from God, and THAT is something men do not want to hear! To deny that man has a 'free-will' is to enthrone God and dethrone man! It is to give the glory due unto God and place man in the dust where he belongs! And that is something man does not want to do! Like the men in the parable of the talents, fallen man's outcry is "We will not have this man to reign over us"! [Luke 19:14]
To deny ones' ability to deny God would literally be denying God according to his word.
Men should not want to hear what this man is calling truth, For The author of the word rejects his thoughts so do I.
The Master was hated and hounded for preaching Sovereign Grace, and YOU are not greater than Him and so you can expect the same treatment!
The master did not come to preach sovereign grace, he came to reveal the father thru teaching, preaching and demonstrations of the Spirit. In his preaching by faith Grace was made available by his faith.
