Gods Purpose Of Grace: Election And Eternal Security Series

There is the funny story that a man died and went to heaven only to find out that heaven was divided into two groups. There was the predestination group whose main emphasis was God chose me. Then there was the free will group that emphasized their choice in coming to God.

When he realized he must be in one group or the other he went to be with the predestination group. They asked him, why did you come here? He replied I just chose to come to this group. They did not allow him in the predestination group. If you believe in choice you belong with the other group.

When he went to the free will group, they asked the same question. Why did you come to this group. He told then he had to come to their group, he had no choice. That did not fit with their group, so he was not allowed in.

There are groups so divided on grace and election here on earth so there is humor in thinking that the division will continue in heaven. It is the most divisive of all theologies. It divided John Wesley and George Whitfield. That is the famous division over election, but many others have been divided in the issues of God’s purpose of grace. As Whitefield said in 1741, The movement had been forever divided between the followers of Wesley and the followers of Whitefield.

It has been said that if you have come to your position on election with ease then you have not really looked at it in depth.

Election

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love. (Ephesians 1:4)

In talking about election, it should not be separated from its companion truth which is freedom. We balance election with human freedom. Jesus is the door of salvation. Election is not the door of salvation Jesus, is the door. Jesus said, no man comes to the Father except by me. (John 14:6)

Remember that the Bible says Jesus is the door of salvation, not your election or predestination. Does God will anyone to be lost? No.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)

It is not slowness, but patience that delays the final consummation of history and holds open the door to repentant sinners and even repentant scoffers.

Does God will all men to be saved? Yes.

This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:3-4)

The word all is linked to verse 1, I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— (1 Timothy 2:1) Intercession for all men is because of God’s willingness to save all.

“Election is not to be thought of as a bare choice of so many human units by God’s action independently of man’s free choice and the human means employed. God elects men to respond freely. He elects to reach men through their native faculties and through the church, through evangelism and education and missionary endeavor. We must include all these elements in election. Otherwise we split the decree of God into parts and leave out an essential part.” Quote of E. Y Mullins

Election is not God from eternity choosing certain individuals for salvation and some for damnation determining their destiny. When we separate election from man’s free will it is like cutting out only part of a portrait. If we do take into account the whole portrait the painting is distorted.

Election is not a matter of God determining man’s fate, it is a matter of God purposing man’s salvation. It is not about each person’s fate determined in advance for him. Election never appears in Scripture as mechanical or blind duty. Jesus gave himself as a ransom for all people.

For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. (1 Timothy 2:5-6)

Why do some perish? They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. (2 Thessalonians 2:10)

Election is God’s purpose and initiative in man’s salvation. God is the one who acts. God’s initiative is there in revelation of His Word and in redemption. There was never a time God did not purpose our salvation.

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. (Ephesians 1:4)