Day 4: What Is the Importance of Unconditional Election For The Church?

Tomorrow I will be wrapping up (Lord Willing) Unconditional Election! Today's article is very informative. Make sure to check out the video at the end of this posting, also backtrack and watch yesterday's music video, thats classic! Jesus is a friend of mine, I have a friend in Jesus...

Yesterday, we looked at the denials and arguments towards Unconditional Election. Today we are looking at:

Its Importance For The Church?

The importance of the doctrine of Unconditional Election is to be found first of all in its theological significance. It is the central truth of all the Scriptures. While it is literally taught in hundreds of places in God's Word, it is also the underlying truth upon which the whole of Scripture as the revelation of God in Christ is based. It is present in every passage, presupposed in every part, an integral truth of the whole of God's revelation. And this is because Scripture is the revelation of God Who saves. God is sovereign. All glory belongs to Him alone. It is this truth which raises our hearts to a contemplation of the adorable God of heaven and earth and prostrates us in adoration before Him.

Holding this truth, therefore, the whole Scripture is a beautiful unity. There is no need for abstruse distinctions. There is no need to follow a double-track theology. It is all a beautiful whole. God is sovereign in the choice of His people. And as the sovereign, He redeems in the cross those whom He has chosen. As the sovereign He places His love upon His people and He hates the wicked all the day. As the sovereign He shows favor through the cross to those who belong to Him; but pours out His wrath upon all the workers of iniquity. His grace also, therefore, is never common. It is always particular - bestowed through the cross upon the objects of His choice. And it is irresistible in its particularity because those whom He chooses shall surely be brought to final salvation and blessedness.

The choice therefore is either - or. We may deny this truth, but then we must also make God a helpless god, fashioned after our thoughts, dependent upon the fickle will of man, working only after man makes his choices and decisions, altering His plan according to man's whims, dependent upon man's final work. Or we make our choice for the truth of Scripture and maintain the truth of a great and sovereign God of heaven and earth to Whom alone belongs all praise and glory forever.

Thus this doctrine of election, in the second place, affords the people of God unspeakable consolation. We are only sinners who add daily to the burden of our guilt. If salvation were left to us, we would be tossed about on the stormy seas of doubt. We can merit nothing with God. But election, sovereign election, is an immovable rock upon which we stand; and, standing, are safe from all harm. The elect can never perish. "Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity." II Tim. 2:19. God will preserve the work of grace in the hearts of His own until the end.

We can do no better than to close this discussion with the words Paul uses to close his discussion of this truth. They are found in Romans 11:33-36:

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counselor? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory forever. Amen.

Wrap up and summary tomorrow!

Now watch this video on the upcoming ESV Study BIBLE, if you don't know about it, start saving cause you have to get it!!


C'Ya

Les

Dropping October 15, 2008 - The ESV Study BIBLE!

The ESV Study Bible is Dropping October 15, 2008. Boy oh Boy, this Bible is off the hook, its going to be available in hardcover, bonded leather, genuine leather, and calf skin. This Bible is gonna be packed with goodies, maps, compiled commentaries from over 95 Theological Scholars, extensive book introductions and much much much more. Visit the link for the ESV Study Bible here!

CLICK HERE>>>PDF file of Ephesians Intro. Check this out, it will convince you!

This is a must have for students of the Scriptures! Remember the Scriptures urge us to study to show ourselves approved, and to rightly divide the Word of Truth!

Here's some Spurgeon for you!

Human Wisdom by Spurgeon
I was in the Hall of Philosophers a little while ago, where were the busts of Socrates, and Plato, and Solon, and all the great men of former ages. But if they were all put together, of what small account were the maxims that they taught mankind for the promotion of real happiness and true goodness? Why, the sum total is nothing in comparison with that one sermon of the Christ of Nazareth which He preached upon the Mount? That one sermon put into the scale outweighs the wisdom of Greece and Rome. And yet, when the Man had come who unselfishly, lovingly, tenderly, wisely would lead our fallen race into the paths of holiness, and onward to the goal of perfect felicity, what did humanity do but grind its teeth, and gather up its weapons and say, “Away with such a fellow from the earth; it is not fit that he should live!” Alas, human nature! How demented and imbecile you are! The very beasts might lay claim to more sagacity and shrewdness than you have .

C'Ya!

Les