Election

 

In many ways the Protestant Reformation was a "back to the Bible" movement, but any enlightenment that the Protestant Reformers had was because of the light of Scripture. Light comes from Scripture and not the Protestant Reformation or the Protestant Reformers. (Psalm 119:130) The Reformers did write and teach many important truths, but we should test all things by God's Word and not Reformation teachings and traditions. (II Timothy 2:15; 3:16)

The Bible teaches the total depravity of man, which simply means that man is a natural-born sinner who cannot earn or merit salvation. The Bible does not teach that unbelievers are lost because they cannot come to Christ. (John 5:40; Revelation 22:17; consider Acts 7:51) John 6:44 does not mean some people cannot be saved; compare Matthew 22:14 & John 12:32 and consider Romans 1:19-20; 2:11-16. (Incidentally, if you are lost, when you are being drawn and convicted of sin you need to obey the Gospel then and repent and believe on the Jesus Christ instead of imagining that you can get saved when and where you choose. God is sovereign and saving faith is a gift from God; in other words, you don’t have it unless God gives it to you.)

Christ is the supremely chosen servant. (Matthew 12:18; Luke 9:35; I Peter 2:4) The redeemed were chosen in Christ. (Ephesians 1:3-4) Christians have no claim to divine election except as they belong to Christ. (John 15:16; Ephesians 1:3-5; II Timothy 1:9; I Peter 1:2) Election is emphasized as for witness and service, and not primarily for privilege. (Exodus 19:3-6; Isaiah 49:6; John 15:16)

The call to salvation is universal. (Isaiah 53:6; John 3:16-18,36; 4:42; Romans 5:18; II Timothy 2:3-6; 4:10; Titus 2:11; Hebrews 2:9; II Peter 3:9; I John 2:2) Scripture makes it clear that it is God's will for all to be saved. (Matthew 22:14; John 12:32; Acts 17:30; I Timothy 2:3-4; I Peter 3:9)

The argument that the whole world would be saved if Christ died for the whole world is also contrary to Scripture. The blood atonement is sufficient to save the whole world, but it is only efficient to those who believe. (John 3:16-18; 3:36; 4:42; Romans 8:32; I Timothy 2:4-6; 4:10; Hebrews 2:9; I Peter 2:1; I John 2:2; 4:14)

Was it irresistible grace that saved Noah, or did grace bring salvation to Noah and his family? (Genesis 6:8; I Peter 3:20) The grace of God bringeth salvation. (Titus 2:11; John 1:12; 5:40; Acts 7:51; Revelation 22:17; consider Proverbs 1:24-26)

Election is according to God's foreknowledge and not some random or arbitrary selection. God calls people by the Gospel unto a conditional salvation, and they are saved when they obey the Gospel. (John 3:18, 36; Romans 8:28-30; II Thessalonians 2:13-14; I Peter 1:2) The relationship between the sovereign choice of God and the freewill of man in salvation can be compared to a railroad track. Consider that the rails of a railroad track are parallel and do not join, but both rails of a railroad track are essential for a train to move, and this is a good illustration of salvation. Even though the rails of a railroad track are parallel and separate, if you are standing on a railroad track on flat land and look to where the track meets the horizon the rails appear to meet just beyond the horizon; in salvation the sovereign choice of God and the freewill of man meet, without conflict or contradiction, somewhere in the mind of God, and we should not be expecting to understand that in our finite minds. Both the sovereignty of God and the freewill of man are essential to salvation, and we invite error and misunderstanding when we emphasize one aspect to the exclusion of the other, or read into the texts ideas that are not there: For example, God chose believers to glorification and eternal life with God according to foreknowledge, but Scriptures never say that God chose anyone to go to Hell as unbelief is a work of man and not of God. God must do the saving for anyone to be saved, but those who die lost can only blame themselves.