Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.
Acts 13:48
We continue this week looking at the doctrine of election as set forth in our text above. As we saw last time, there was an appointment made by God prior to these souls believing. Much confusion is present today concerning this teaching, and so some would ask, “Isn’t this topic divisive? Should we even teach it?” The answer to such a question is simple. Yes! That which is in God’s word is intended to be taught…all of it! Just because we struggle with understanding something doesn’t mean we should ignore it exists. Who can fully grasp the concept of the Trinity, and yet, should we not preach that God is three in one? 2Ti 3:16 tells us that, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness…” With that fact in mind, let us press on.
I am trying to stick close to the word of God as we examine this topic because, at the end of the day, it’s not my opinion that matters. It’s His word that will still stand even when heaven and earth have passed away. (Mat 24:35) If we will honestly consider the language of scripture, we cannot deny election and predestination. As 1Pe 1:2 declares, there is a people who are “elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father”. God acts on behalf of these people even before they are born. Just consider the distinction made in Christ’s intercessory prayer in Joh 17:9: “I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours.” Here, Christ specifically and only prays for believers, choosing not to intercede for the world as a whole! And this distinction is not made only for those alive at that time. Listen to what He prays further in Joh 17:20: “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who believe in Me through their word”. He prays specifically for believers before they are ever born but not for the all the world.
In sharing the above verses, am I then stating God does not love all men? Some who embrace the doctrine of election would say that is so; however, the scripture teaches us God is love. We believe that what Jesus taught, He also lived. Did He not teach us to love our enemies in Mat 5:44? If so, then isn’t it true that Jesus kept that teaching Himself? And why does the next verse say we should love our enemies? “…that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” Because to love this way is to love like your heavenly Father! There is a general love of God manifested towards all men. We see that love revealed as He sends the Son of God into the world as a sacrifice for sin. We all know what Joh 3:16 says, but, I encourage to think on the distinction made in Jesus’ prayer in Joh 17 in light of our present study and understand there is a special love reserved for His bride, the church. And is that so strange? Is not the love of a man for his wife or of a mother for her children unique compared to his or her love for others? So God has a unique love for those He births into His kingdom, a love described in Jer 31:3: “The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: ‘Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.’ ”
So, what about man’s responsibility? Some say that to believe the doctrine of election is to believe we are robots, programmed by God with no responsibility for our actions. But that’s not what we find in scripture. Man is accountable for his actions because he chooses to do them. If you have a hard time reconciling the doctrine of election with the truth that man is accountable for his own actions, welcome to the club! We must simply believe both and leave it in the hands of a God much bigger than we are. My favorite passage that presents these truths together is 2Th 2:10-14. It deals first with man’s responsibility and accountability. “…and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” Why were these unbelievers not saved? Because they willingly rejected the gospel! In response to their refusal of God’s word, the passage continues, “And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” So if a man goes to hell, there is no one to blame but himself, but what about the ones who do believe? Who gets credit for their salvation? Just listen to v. 13-14: “But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” So if a man goes to heaven, our text says God is responsible!
Election doesn’t change our message to the sinner. When the multitudes were convicted of their sin after hearing Peter’s message on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2, they cried out, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Peter did not respond by saying, “There’s nothing you can do! You’d better hope that you’re elected!!” No, Peter told them there was forgiveness for all who desired it. He responded in Act 2:38-39, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” Praise God, there is salvation for all who will repent of their sins and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ!! Rom 10:13 is still true, “For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved”! What election makes clear is that the Lord alone deserves the glory for saving us. In light of this truth, it makes perfect sense that every crowned head is made bare in heaven, and those crowns are cast before His throne. (Rev 4:10) As Jonah came to understand, “Salvation is of the LORD.” (Jon 2:9)
Jamie