Churchwork
12-15-2008, 03:40 AM
1) That purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth... (Rom. 9.11)
2) There is a remnant according to the election of grace. (Rom. 11.5)
3) Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.... (1 Thess. 1.4)
4) Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you and peace be multiplied. (1 Pet. 1.2)
5) Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure.... (2 Pet. 1.10)
These scriptures present the following truths: (1) God works a definite purpose through election; (2) election involves not all mankind but a "remnant"; (3) election is according to God's good grace; (4) election is "according to the foreknowledge of God the Father"; and (5) some responsibility rests upon the elect to make their "election sure."
If election is to salvation by Irresistible Grace without any intelligent or moral choice on man's part, it would be impossible to be sure of one's election to service and blessing to "walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called" (Eph. 4.1-6). Thus, to make one's election sure is to fulfill the responsibility that comes with election, not to somehow be sure that one is among the elect and thus eternally saved. Martin R. Vincent says "Ekloge, election [is] used of God's selection of men or agencies for special missions or attainments.... [Nowhere] in the New Testament is there any warrant for the revolting doctrine that God predestined a definite number of mankind to eternal life, and the rest to eternal destruction."
2) There is a remnant according to the election of grace. (Rom. 11.5)
3) Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.... (1 Thess. 1.4)
4) Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you and peace be multiplied. (1 Pet. 1.2)
5) Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure.... (2 Pet. 1.10)
These scriptures present the following truths: (1) God works a definite purpose through election; (2) election involves not all mankind but a "remnant"; (3) election is according to God's good grace; (4) election is "according to the foreknowledge of God the Father"; and (5) some responsibility rests upon the elect to make their "election sure."
If election is to salvation by Irresistible Grace without any intelligent or moral choice on man's part, it would be impossible to be sure of one's election to service and blessing to "walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called" (Eph. 4.1-6). Thus, to make one's election sure is to fulfill the responsibility that comes with election, not to somehow be sure that one is among the elect and thus eternally saved. Martin R. Vincent says "Ekloge, election [is] used of God's selection of men or agencies for special missions or attainments.... [Nowhere] in the New Testament is there any warrant for the revolting doctrine that God predestined a definite number of mankind to eternal life, and the rest to eternal destruction."