Chosen In Christ (2)

Eph 1:3-14

You did not choose me… I chose you. (Jn 15:16; 1Pet 2:9)

Chosen In Christ… the amazing grace of Sovereign God. (Eph 1:4)

The doctrine of election is clearly taught in the NT. 

Election is one of most comforting, encouraging, & uplifting truths in Scripture.

Two great truths run with clarity thru out the Word; one is the purpose of God, & second is the freedom of man. We may not always be able to harmonize them, but they are both true.

Did God choose us, or did we by faith receive (choose) God’s gift of salvation in Christ? The Bible teaches both! It’s not “either/or”, but “both/and”.

At times, God’s ways & thoughts can’t be fully understood by man. (Isa 55:8-9)

Without faith, it’s impossible to know or please God. (Heb 11:6)

God chose you, & yet your free will is never violated by God’s election.

E.g. Door to heaven; on outside, “Whosoever will, may come & drink of water of life” (Rev 22:17); on inside, “I chose you, you did not choose me.” (Jn 15:16)

What accounts for fact that you were once a rebel & God’s enemy, & now enjoy riches of God’s grace & blessings? Your faith in Jesus? NO! Before creation, God chose you.

Before sin & Satan, our salvation was planned… rooted in God’s plan & character.

Questions… Questions!!

If God is sovereign, how can humans be free? Large portions of Scripture affirm human choice & the integrity of human freedom. God who made us with a will & freedom woos us by His grace & condemns people only because of their own willfulness & unbelief.

Does God select some for damnation & some for salvation? Some passages portray God as potter who has molded both vessels for mercy & destruction. (Rom 9:11-22; 2Cor 2:15-16) Yet the Bible teaches that God does not wish any to perish but all to be saved. (1Tim 2:4; 2Pet 3:9) Not everything the Bible says about election fits into a neat logical system, nor will we be able to always understand H

Did God beforehand plan things without any regard for human response? (e.g. Regarding the “hardening Pharaoh’s heart” (Rm 9:17-18), an interpretation more consistent with God’s revealed character is to say that God used what Pharoah had become. God did not violate his free will… He worked with it. God does not tempt you to evil. (Ja 1:13)

Was Judas predestined to betray Jesus? (Jn 6:70-71) Judas was chosen by Jesus. He, like all the disciples, had the capacity for betrayal. Satan found in Judas a willing instrument. (Jn 13:27) Jesus had to be betrayed (Jesus died according to the plan of God. (Lk 22:22)). Judas did not have to do it, but he did.

All are called… few choose to be chosen. (Mt 7:13-14)

Predestination: God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world. God knows who will believe, but He does not force them. (Predestined plan… not a finite list)

No one comes to Christ unless the Father draws him. (Jn 6:44; Rm 8:29; Isa 45:4)

God’s choice of believers precedes & enables their choice of Him. (Jn 15:16)

Yet sovereign God also said, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Rm 10:13; Acts 16:30; 2:21,36-41; Jn 1:12,3:15-16, etc.)

Predestined: Chosen for particular purpose & destiny… God has plan for you. (Jer 29:11)

Nothing can hinder or separate you from God’s love & plans. (Rm 8:35-39)

Predestination is an assurance of God’s redemptive love. Whatever else predestination means, it assures us that God takes the initiative & pursues us with redemptive love.

It’s God’s desire that none should perish… that all should come to repentance. (2Pet 3:9)

God’s sovereign will… everyone who believes in Jesus will have eternal life. (Jn 6:40)

All are welcome (Jn 3:16; Rev 3:20), but few choose the predestined plan of salvation.

Jesus stands at the door of your heart, desiring fellowship with you. (Rev 3:20

God’s sovereign election does not nullify man’s responsibility to believe in Jesus as Savior & Lord. (Mt 3:1-2; 4:17; Jn 5:40) Man must choose to believe the Gospel of Grace. Yet faith is a gift from God. (Eph 2:8-9)

God has given you freedom to choose… & it’s possible to harden your heart against His plan of salvation. (1Jn 2:19; Heb 10:26-27) Predestination never eliminates human will 

God allows people to reject Christ… but He doesn’t predestine them to do it. 

God has given you freedom of choice or refusal, & when you chose His love & grace, you have made your election sure. (2Pet 1:10b) Have you made that choice? 

The purpose of election… to be holy & blameless. (Eph 1:4; Rm 8:29)

God’s purpose for your election is for you to be His son/daughter… to be holy & faithful.

Be holy because I am holy. (1Pet 1:15-16; Eph 2:10)

God is holy & He is love, & He desires fellowship with us. Only God can make a way for us to have fellowship with Himself.

Part of God’s plan is that we should be participants with God in doing His will. God’s will is that people should have a will to exercise toward God.

Make every effort to be holy (Heb 14:12)… yet only God can make you holy. (Phil 2:13)

Believers are to be conformed to the image of Jesus… He is what we are supposed to be.

The one who calls you is faithful & He will do it. (1Thes 5:24)

                                                                                                                                              11-07-10