But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: - 1 Peter 2:9

     In the last article, we explored the Biblical principle of election. To summarize, the Bible teaches that God chose a particular people to enjoy unbroken fellowship with Him in Heaven some day (Ephesians 1:4, Romans 8:29-31). When we are in obedience to God, we also enjoy numerous daily blessings of His marvelous grace. We enjoy these blessings not because of our works but because of God’s free grace (Ephesians 2:8). Some would object to this explanation about the doctrine of election, but we ought to let the word of God be true. It is my desire to explore some of the objections and misconceptions regarding election and view this wonderful doctrine in light of Scripture.

     One of the primary objections to the doctrine of election is that it takes the responsibility of Godly living away from Christians. Some believe that if election is true, then it is a license to behave any way we desire, since we are going to Heaven anyway. This belief is contrary to the Biblical pattern given to those who were chosen in Jesus before the foundation of the world. In Romans 6 the Apostle Paul writes, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” Paul teaches that the child of God does not have the desire to willfully sin because of his salvation, but the opposite. When a person is quickened (made alive) by the Spirit of God, sin no longer dominates his life. In the place where sin once ruled, the Spirit takes up residence and exercises influence. In the context of election and salvation through Jesus Christ, Paul writes in Ephesians 1:11-12, “ In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.” We are saved to bring glory and honor to God. God’s purpose in choosing a people before the foundation of the world was to show forth His power and majesty in this world.

     Another objection to election is the idea that man must take responsibility for his salvation. The fact is that man does not have the ability to save himself, nor even to assist in salvation. The Bible states that we are dead in trespasses and sin. Not merely sick, but dead! Paul writes in Ephesians 2:1, “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;” We are not just spiritually sick and in need of someone to convince us to take some medicine-to accept the gospel, be baptized, giving our hearts to Jesus, and so forth. We are dead! We are totally unable to save ourselves. We are wholly dependant on God and the work of His Son Jesus Christ for our salvation. In Romans 3 Paul chronicles the plight of mankind:

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:

Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:
Their feet are swift to shed blood:
Destruction and misery are in their ways:
And the way of peace have they not known:
There is no fear of God before their eyes.

Romans 3:10-18

     We do not have the ability to save ourselves. We were chosen before the foundation of the world to manifest God’s glory. Paul instructs us to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling in Philippians 2:12. That is , we should work out our salvation, as we should work out our physical bodies; to exercise our faith and strengthen our convictions. Our best exercise equipment in this sort of work out is simple: complete obedience to the word of God! It is in this that we enjoy the timely blessings of God in this present world. We have eternal salvation by God’s grace. We serve and follow the commandments of God because we are saved. There is a liberty in knowing that Heaven is our home because of the finished work of Jesus Christ! Lord willing, we will continue to examine the doctrine of election in future articles.

Tuesday, April 20, 2006

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Michael Green, Jr. is pastor of Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church (www.palmchapel.org) in Crestview, FL. Palm Chapel meets every Sunday at 10:30am and Wednesday at 6:00pm. Pastor Green can be contacted at (850) 689-3383 or by email at pastor@palmchapel.org. Pastor Green warmly invites you to come and worship at Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church

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