Word of Salvation – Vol. 36 No. 40 – October 1991

 

Divine Election

 

Sermon by Rev. John TerHorst on Ephesians 1:4-6

Reading: Romans 9:1-21, Eph. 1:3–14

 

Congregation of Jesus Christ,

National elections are a part of life.  We may become sceptical about the many promises.  Sometimes we are upset by the money needed to hold elections.  Yet, it is part of our democratic system of government.  And of course, the results are always well publicised.  That is because most people, not only politicians, are interested in the outcome.  Often results flow in, many hours before the final outcome can be determined with any certainty.  Already at that stage, an analysis begins.  Did voters confirm predictions?  Are there upsets?  If so, what has led to that?  Much talking, much debate…!

The Bible also talks about election.  The results of that election should be something every human being is very interested in.  Is every person in church here today aware of that outcome?  We can be.  We should be.  This election result determines where you, and I, and every other person will spend eternity.  That makes it a lot more important than any government election we will ever witness!

This election, like many National and Federal elections of the past has been discussed at length.  It too has been analysed.  Results have been debated.  Various attitudes have arisen in its evaluation.  Numerous books have been written to explain it.  And still countless people disagree on it.  Many Christians steer away from it.

In Ephesians 1:3-14 we find certain details of this election spelled out.  Other references to it are found in the Bible as well.  The verses 3-14 divide themselves into three main sections.  The verses 4-6, 7-12, and 13-14.  It is interesting and important to note that each section closes with the refrain, ‘to the praise of his glory’, or, ‘his glorious grace’.  Today, we look at this first subsection, the verses 4-6.  We follow the outline that John Stott provides.

Congregation, the very first and important thing to note about the doctrine of divine election is this.  We have it as a result of divine revelation, not human speculation!  It was not a system thought out by professors of theology.  It cannot be attributed to the thinking of Abraham Kuyper.  John Calvin did not ‘invent’ the doctrine of divine election at the time of the Reformation.  This doctrine finds its basis in the teaching of God in Holy Scripture.

The terminology surrounding this doctrine may be difficult.  For that reason, some people, including Christians, avoid subjects such as predestination, or even divine election.  Yet, even if we do not fully grasp its majestic truth, we should acknowledge it as a truth which God revealed.  The truth, stated most simply, is that God chose some people, from amongst all of humanity, to be saved.

Now to choose some implies that others were passed over.  And that is what the Bible teaches.  The Bible nowhere suggests that all people will ultimately be saved.  For example, our Lord himself warned, ‘Enter through the narrow gate.  For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.’ Matthew 7:13.  Some have suggested that is not fair.  That is not just.  They ask, ‘How can God choose some, and bypass others?’  Let us be careful when talking about justice.  If people are going to appeal to the justice of God then God should not have chosen anyone to be saved.  ‘For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.’  The Bible also counters man’s challenge to God’s right to choose, in this way: ‘But who are you, O man, to talk back to God?  Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, ‘why did you make me like this?’

God is perfectly just.  If He were only just, without also being a God who is love, then perhaps no one could be saved.  Yet His love for a fallen humanity leads us to read the following of God: ‘Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord.  Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?’ Ezek.19:23.  Or in the New Testament: ‘He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.’ 2Peter 3:18.  And because God is patient, because God is love, He sent His one and only Son so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life!

The Bible also tells us when this election took place.  We read in verse 4: ‘…before the creation of the world…!’  This election occurred before time began.  Right back in eternity God determined to elect some people to be saved.  As Romans 8 has it, ‘For those God foreknew he also predestined, …called …justified …glorified.’

How can a person know the outcome of this election today?  When a person believes in Jesus as his Saviour, and confesses Him as the Lord of life, he may know for certain that he belongs to God’s elect.  Because the Bible says, ‘…and no one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit.’ 1Corinthians 12:3.  However, the opposite is also true.  When a person goes to the grave stubbornly refusing to confess Jesus as Saviour, that person too knows the outcome of God’s election.  That is why the urgent call of Holy Scripture is: ‘We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.’ 2Corinthians 5:20.  That is why the church is active in evangelism.  That is the motive for a ministry of witnessing.  That adds urgency to the work of missions.  The urgent appeal of the church to the world is: Be reconciled to God!

The second important thing here is this: The doctrine of divine election is an incentive to holiness, not an excuse for sin.  We read in verse 4, ‘For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.’  And again later, ‘…He predestined you …to the praise of his glorious grace.’  Those who deny the truth of the doctrine of divine election, say this only leads to loose living.  If you are elected anyway, why not do as you please?  But that type of argument is sheer foolishness.  Let us use an example to show that.

When a couple are married they pledge, amongst other things, to be faithful as long as they both shall live.  Which married person would take that promise of faithfulness from the spouse, as a licence to do as they please?  If that were the case, there is no love involved on the part of the person who would so abuse the other’s trust.  I do not want to say it does not happen.  Sadly it does.  It happens in marriages.  It happens in the work place.  Employees are guilty of abusing the trust of their employers, or the other way around.  Sometimes children abuse the trust of their parents.  But adults are guilty of that as well.  You need only look at the countless cases of child abuse.  It does happen.  But not in a relationship of mutual love and concern.  And that is what Christianity is all about.  Christianity, primarily, is not about knowing a certain set of doctrines.  Christianity is not about faithful church attendance.  Christianity, is a relationship of love.  A relationship wherein a person receives the love of God.  A relationship in which the person seeks to return that love.

The doctrine of divine election, when properly understood, is an incentive to holy living.  It is an incentive to holy living when people realise their new standing before God.  As the Scriptures confess concerning them: ‘…you are a chosen people, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.’ 1Peter 2:9.  That is the desire of every true child of God.  To declare God’s wonderful praises in word and deed.

Finally we see the motive behind the doctrine of divine election.  ‘In love he predestined us… in accordance with his pleasure and will.’  Congregation, the doctrine of divine election is a stimulus to humility, not a ground for boasting.  It was the pure, unadulterated love of a sinless God for sinful people, that motivated Him to make salvation possible.  ‘In love he predestined’.  ‘For God so loved the world’.  God’s love for a fallen humanity is beyond comprehension.  The depth of His love for a loveless people cannot be fathomed.  In love God sacrificed His only begotten Son so that we might live eternally with him.  The punishment for our disobedience was shouldered by Jesus.  The apostle John writes, ‘How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!  And that is what we are!’ 1John 3:1.

It has been said that if anyone believes himself to be one of God’s chosen people, it is about the most arrogant thought anybody could entertain.  And that would be true if we imagined that God had chosen anyone because of some merit within that person.

Rather, the opposite is true.  God said to Israel of old that His affection was set on them, ‘…because the Lord loved you.’  Election is not about earning ‘brownie points’.  Divine election is not about deserving it.  In fact, John Calvin wrote in this regard, ‘God’s election is free and beats down and annihilates all the worthiness, works and virtues of men.’  Congregation, divine election is motivated by the love of God.  It therefore forces Christians to their knees in gratitude.  It is far from reason to boast.

No one would ever want to suggest that the doctrine of divine election is easy to understand.  No one presumes to understand it all.  The doctrine of divine election and human responsibility clash, humanly speaking, although the Bible teaches both.  Paul tackles that later in verses 13 and 14.  John Stott too admits there are many unresolved problems concerning the doctrine of divine election.  Yet, he writes, ‘Its practical consequences should always be that we live …holy and blameless before him, …to the praise of his glorious grace.’ (p.39).

AMEN