Election: Sermon from 1 Thessalonians

Election We give thanks to God always for you all…Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. 1 Thessalonians 1: 4 Observe 1. That which the apostle was said to know. 2. The reasons his confidence of that knowledge. Doctrine. Divine election bears out in certain proofs. I. The preaching of the gospel with the effect of faith. “We shall never feel persuaded as we ought that our salvation flows from the free mercy of God as its fountain, until we are made acquainted with his eternal election, the grace of God being illustrated by the contrast—viz. that he does not adopt all promiscuously to the hope of salvation, but gives to some what he denies to others (Calvin).” He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God (Jn. 8: 47). But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers (Jn. 10: 2ff). I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd (Jn. 10: 14ff). Objection: Could the effects precede election? If election precedes that divine grace by which we are made fit to obtain immortal life, what can God find in us to induce him to elect us? What I mean is still more clearly explained in another passage: God, says he, “has chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we might be holy and without blame before him in love. What Christ said to his disciples is found to be universally applicable to all believers, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you,” (John 15:16). Here he not only excludes past merits, but declares that they had nothing in themselves for which they could be chosen except in so far as his mercy anticipated. II. The effectual work of the word of God unto the assurance of abiding faith. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (Jn. 8: 31ff). “We regard calling as the evidence of election, and justification as another symbol of its manifestation, until it is fully accomplished by the attainment of glory (Calvin).” Uses 1. For our assurance, viz. thus Paul’s needed declaration. First, election excludes our worthiness. “The grace of God does not find, but makes persons fit to be chosen (Augustine).” Then election must be known and taught. Evidence? Scripture is replete with examples of its necessity. “Those secrets of his will, which he has seen it meet to manifest, are revealed in his word—revealed in so far as he knew to be conducive to our interest and welfare (Calvin).” Next, errors must be refuted. For, “Ignorance of this principle detracts from the glory of God and impairs true humility (Calvin).” The doctrines of men, Arminius, Pelagius, and those that assert man’s free choice absent the stain of sin, blind many in self-assurance and a fool’s gold gospel. Even so then at this present time also, there is a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then it is no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. (Rom. 11:6) “Those who would extinguish it, wickedly do as much as in them lies to obscure what they ought most loudly to extol and pluck up humility by the very roots (Calvin).” Without election there is no assurance. “Nor, indeed, have we elsewhere any sure ground of confidence…all who know not that they are the peculiar people of God, must be wretched from perpetual trepidation, and that those therefore, who, by overlooking the three advantages which we have noted, would destroy the very foundation of our safety, consult ill for themselves and for all the faithful (Calvin).” Consider how election establishes our confidence: But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God (John 1: 12, 13). All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that everyne which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day (Jn. 6:37ff). No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day (Jn. 6:44).   It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father (Jn. 6: 63ff). My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand (Jn. 10: 27ff).  2. For our circumspection, viz. that we might bear evidence of the proofs of our election. 3. For our confidence, viz. that we might not doubt our salvation. “This we say on the authority of Christ, who, to deliver us from all fear, and render us invincible amid our many dangers, snares and mortal conflicts, promises safety to all that the Father has taken under his protection (Calvin). 4. For our wonder, viz. that we might marvel at our election.