"King David in Prayer" c 1635, by Pieter de Grebber.
This post is the third in a series on the question of Predestination (Election and Reprobation). This series will ultimately be part of a larger collection of posts on "The Doctrine of the Application of Redemption" from Dr. Wayne Grudem's textbook on Systematic Theology.
In yesterday's post, we examined what the New Testament has to say regarding the Doctrine of Election (Predestination). The result of that careful look found that clearly God ordained beforehand those who would be saved.
At the end of the post, in light of that clear revelation, I asked a few very difficult questions that would likely come to the minds of any serious student of this subject.
For the moment, I am going to table further discussion of my questions as Dr. Grudem's text wants us to look at another issue first. That is, how does the New Testament present the teaching of election? I also mentioned yesterday that the other thought that comes to mind is that if this is true, how lucky and thankful should I be that God chose me to be one of His elect?
So for now, let us leave the questions about the unsaved on the table for later discussion and today focus our intentions on those who are saved. How has the Holy Spirit presented, through the New Testament, the doctrine of election for those who believe?
The Doctrine of Election is intended as a comfort to believers:
Dr. Grudem takes us back to Romans 8:28-30, "We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first-born among many brethren. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified."
From Systematic Theology: "Paul's point is to say that God has always acted for the good of those whom he called to himself. If Paul looks into the distant past before the creation of the world, he sees that God foreknew and predestined his people to be conformed to the image of Christ. If he looks at the recent past he finds that God called and justified his people whom he had predestined. And if he then looks toward the future when Christ returns, he sees that God has determined to give perfect, glorified bodies to those who believe in Christ. From eternity to eternity God has acted with the good of his people in mind. But if God has always acted for our good and will in the future act for our good, Paul reasons, then will he not also in our present circumstances work every circumstance together for our good as well? In this way predestination is seen as a comfort for believers in the everyday events of life."
So lets break this down:
- God chose me from eternity past to be one of His elect.
- God called and justified me, in recent past, as one of His elect.
- God is going to give me a perfect, glorified body in eternity future.
- So from eternity past to eternity future, God has nothing but good in mind for me.
- Therefore, I should take great comfort in knowing and understanding all the good that God has for me as His adopted son. He personally chose me. No different then if my wife and I were to go to an adoption agency and choose to adopt a particular child. If we did that then we would pour our love on that child and would have nothing but good in mind for that child. Did I get that right? Great comfort!
The Doctrine of Election give us great reason to praise God:
Ephesians 1:5-6, "He destined us in love to be his sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace..."
Ephesians 1:12, "We who first hoped in Christ have been destined and appointed to live for the praise of his glory"
This one is easy for me to wrap my mind around. God chose me from eternity past to be one of His chosen. Me...little ole' Dave Porter was chosen by God...me singled out in God's mind to spend eternity with him. When you give this thought some stirring in your mind, how can you help but fall on your knees in praise? Through no merit on my own part, I wasn't even born yet. I hadn't the chance to sin and/or do good. In spite of that, HE chose me. It really is incredible to consider, isn't it?
The Doctrine of Election is an encouragement to evangelism:
2 Timothy 2:10, "I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus with its eternal glory."
Paul understands and believes that God has chosen some to believe. Therefore, where ever he went to preach he was likely to awaken the call in those who were predestined. It was kind of like going around and flipping a switch in peoples minds. Some of the people, who received the flipped switch, were going to "light up", understand the call and become Christians. Therefore it was not his job to convince people. He simply needed to run around and flip the switches. Because of this he was willing to suffer great pain and death to be the "light flipper oner". It took all the sales pressure off of him. Dr. Grudem likens it to going fishing and being absolutely certain that you will catch fish. Knowing that, wouldn't you go fishing?
As a believer, one who was chosen, as one of the elect, I do like these things. It does completely change my perspective. Completely!
I still have unanswered questions about my grandfather, but we can get to that in another post. For now, as a believer, I feel significantly more loved. God chose to set His love on me and I like it!
