“Do not stand still disputing about your election, but set to repenting and believing.”
Joseph Alleine
To read the Fourth Gospel is to see, in almost every paragraph, a high Christology. The perspective on Christ is most exalted. He is in control of what transpires around him. His authority is complete. In no uncertain terms, he declares himself to be God. He and his Father are in full agreement. The Father is working out the details of his plan and Jesus is working out the details of that plan. This plan includes the lifting up of Jesus (on the cross) and the promise that the Father will draw all kinds of individuals to Jesus.
One of the blessings of this unity between the Father and the Son is the reality of the biblical doctrine of election. Jesus warns the religious leaders, “The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me…My Father, who has given them to me…” (John 10:25b-27, 29a, italics mine) The passage clearly indicates that there are sheep who believe and those who do not. The reason that some sheep do believe is that the Father has given those sheep to Jesus.
This passage clearly indicates the reality of election. Lorraine Boettner defines election as “a sovereign free act of God, through which He determines who shall be made heirs of heaven.” [Lorraine Boettner, The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination, 148-149] There are many, many Scriptures that point to the doctrine of election. (see Ephesians 1:3-14; Romans 9; Romans 8:30, 38-39; 2 Thess. 2:13; 1 Peter 1:1-2) We should not only affirm this doctrine but rejoice in it and derive much spiritual comfort and assurance from it. Why? My challenge to you is to meditate not on its reality but on its necessity. Why is such a doctrine necessary?
Many years ago, a pastor was preaching on the doctrine of election and his people must have had trouble grasping it, so instead he focused on the mighty promises of God rather than the mysterious purposes of God. Joseph Alleine wrote, “Whatever God’s purposes may be, I am sure His promises are true. Whatever the decrees of heaven may be, I am sure if I repent and believe I shall be saved.” May you derive comfort from both his often-inscrutable purposes and his plainly revealed purposes. Both require that we trust Him! Have a blessed and warm week and we will see many of you on Sunday.
Unto Him be glory,
Pastor Dale