(Today is Presidential Inauguration Day in the USA. This post has to do with "election" so you can think about that. It is, of course, God's "election." Not a bad subject when we think about the power the American people have in voting in an election. But we can also, and should also remember, that governmental leaders are chosen by the Lord. And they serve Him. Tomorrow's post will, Lord willing, be a little more in tune with today's activities.)
We recently returned from Central America and a visit with our son and his family. They are involved in ministry. As we made our way to the airport, about a two-hour drive, our son engaged us in a great conversation. The question had to do with “the elect.” But the issue was not a merely intellectual discussion of a deep Biblical subject. His purpose was to make sure we understood his passion for the glory of God, and his struggle with “Christians” who always wanted to emphasize “their role” in salvation in such a way that it seemed they wanted to congratulate themselves or take some credit for it.
It was a good conversation for me. As he raised the question (“do you believe in
election”) I found myself on the defensive, not wanting to say yes or no in a
way that would make it hard for me to win the doctrinal argument. When he came to the point of telling us his
deep desire for God to always have all the credit/glory for every aspect of
salvation, I could no longer “ride the fence.”
I know that the bottom line is that there is no Savior but God!
The very next day, in my reading, I came
across the opportunity to confirm this truth.
Peter says that the Jewish believers to which he is writing are “elect
according to the foreknowledge of God the Father.” There’s a line that is a loud call to many to
enter into theological battle. Some want
to emphasize “election” while some want to pound out a definition of
“foreknowledge” that will support their own view. Others want to call attention that the
election is of a group of people (Israelites) and not of individuals.
Don’t expect any thoughts on any of those
ideas today. Instead, I want to remind
you (and me) that however you work out these details, you must come up with an
interpretation that gives all the glory to God.
Paul spoke of these same people (Jewish believers in Christ) in Rom.
11:5: even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the
election of grace. Election
according to the foreknowledge of God cannot, in any way, conflict with the
election of grace.
Paul goes on to say: if it is grace then there
can be no works involved (11:6). Many
want to insist that what God foreknew was what I would do at some point in the
future. If God’s choice was made on that
basis God is not getting the glory. That
makes God dependent on me.
However, we could say that God knew that what
God knew was that Jerusalem and Judaism were about to be destroyed by the
Romans. We know that He foreknew that
because He revealed it in Daniel 9:26, that the “people of the prince that
would come” (Rome) would destroy the city, a prophecy Jesus also reiterated
when He wept over the city. Thus, God
chose an elect remnant, lest Jacob be destroyed and there be no fulfillment of
God’s promise to Abraham.
Further, from later in 1 Peter (1:20) we know
that God foreknew every facet of the saving work of Christ. God knew there would be an answer for Man’s
sin. He knew the gospel-emphasis for at
least 2000 years would be on Gentile salvation.
He knew that Israel would be wandering in fear during that time. And thus, He chose an elect remnant. All this we know God knew because He revealed
it to Israel (and to us) in Scripture.
You take it from there and work through the
subject. It is important. But just be sure that, when you come to the
end, you have given all the glory to our God and Father. It must mirror Isa. 43:11: “I, even I,
am the Lord, and besides Me there is no savior.”
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