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He Chose Us!

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In our recent articles, we have looked at whether or not the Doctrine of Election was biblical, the inability of unregenerate man to come to Christ, the necessity of the new birth before repentance and faith, and a look at what grace truly is. In the next couple of articles we will explore why the Doctrine of Election is so important and how this doctrine influences other areas of Christian life.  First and foremost, the Doctrine of Election puts God’s glory on display.  When we consider that we deserve God’s justice and that our holy God has decided according to His purpose and grace to grant us mercy, then the appreciation for our salvation intensifies.  Can we truly thank God for salvation if we believe that it was because we chose Him that we received this blessing? No, not really.  We would simply thank Him because He removed a barrier that separated us from Him and through Christ provided a way to be reconciled to Him.  Our salvation is not certain but available if we choose.  The Scriptures have taught us quite the opposite.  As Paul said in Ephesians 1:4-5, God chose us in Him before the foundation of the world!  He chose us, and at His appointed time He called us to be His own possession.

Not only did He choose us, regenerate us, and give us the faith to believe, He also carried out the work that was necessary for our redemption.  God the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, “emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Phil 2:7-8).  The glory of God is displayed in the Lord Jesus becoming a man in order to carry out the will of the Father; namely, to fulfill the Law of God perfectly and become the atoning sacrifice for God’s elect.  God took on human form and dwelt among men.  The glory of God is displayed in the person and work of the Lord Jesus.

We may then ask, “I agree that God’s glory is displayed in Christ, but what does that have to do with the Doctrine of Election?”  The work of Christ is connected with election, and as a result is of great importance.  If we understand that God chose us before the foundation of the world, as well as recalling what Christ said in John 6:37, “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me”, then we have to come to the conclusion that the Lord Jesus carried out the work of redemption for the elect of God.  Jesus had intimate knowledge of those that He was dying for.  He paid the full penalty of hell on the cross in place of sinners.  This is, no doubt, controversial and contrary to how many of were taught growing up.  I was taught, as I’m sure many of you were too, that Jesus died for the sins of the world, meaning every person in the entire world.  Does the Bible indeed teach this?  We will explore this topic further in our next article.

 

Writer Bio

59197_1449332626756_5486236_n (2) (2)Joshua Banks is senior pastor and founder of Shepherd’s Rock Bible
Church in Kingsport, TN. He holds a Bachelors degree in Ministry from
Luther Rice University, a Master of Arts in Theological Studies, and a
Master of Divinity both from Liberty University. Joshua and his wife
Amanda, along with their 5 children, reside in Gate City, VA.

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