Lesson 26
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III. OUT OF THE MASS OF SINFUL, FALLEN MANKIND, GOD, IN INFINITE MERCY, ELECTED SOME TO EVERLASTING LIFE.
This is one of the most comforting teachings of the Bible. When we are beset with afflictions and difficulties in this life, yet God does not forget us. Before the foundation of the world, He chose us, for He loved us. He did not owe us this salvation, and He would have been perfectly just if He had left us all to perish. But no, even though we had all sinned in Adam, God1 elected of His own good pleasure, some to everlasting life. This- fact is repeatedly taught in the Bible. For example:
Romans 8:28-31. There are those who say that God knew in advance that some would believe in Christ, and that He elected to salvation those who He knew would believe. But this is not what the Bible teaches. Let us examine these verses closely.
Verse Twenty-nine. The word "foreknow" which is used in this verse is the translation of a Greek verb which means to "know in a special sense." Thus, e. g., when in Amos 3:2 God says to Israel, "You only have I known of all the families of the earth," this does not mean that God was ignorant of the existence of all the nations but Israel.
It merely means that God knew Israel in a peculiar way. That is the sense in which the word is used here in Romans. "Those whom God took special knowledge of, He predestinated to be conformed to the image of His Son."
The reason why God elected some was not that they were better than others, nor because He foresaw that they would believe, but simply because of the counsel of His will, for His own glory. This fact is brought out in the following passages:
Ephesians 1:3-12; II Thessalonians 2:13; I Thessalonians 1:2-4; Romans 9:7-33; II Peter 1:10; I Corinthians 1:27, 28; Luke 18:17.
EXERCISES
Is it correct to say that God has elected some to salvation and everlasting life? Give some Scripture proof of this statement.
In the light of Deuteronomy 9:4-7 would you say that God chooses and shows His favor to some he-cause of their righteousness?
In the light of Romans 9:11 is it correct to say that God chose Jacob because He saw that Jacob would be worthy?
In the light of Romans 9:11 is it correct to say that God rejected Esau because He foresaw that Esau would be unworthy?
In the light of Romans 9:11 how can you account for God's action?
Note: The following verses may also be considered in studying this glorious doctrine of election: Exodus 33:19; Deuteronomy 4:37; 7:7, 8; 9:9, 7; 10:14, 15; 32:8, 9; I Samuel 12:22; Psalm 33:12; 44:3; 65:4; 78:67, 68; 105:6-8; Isaiah 14:1; 41:9; Zechariah 2:12; Malachi 1: 2, 3; John 9:37-39; 13:8; 15:16, 19; Romans 9:11-13; 11:2; Colossians 1:12; II Timothy 2:19; 1:9; Titus 1:1; I Peter 3:12.
IV. THOSE WHOM GOD DID NOT ELECT TO EVERLASTING LIFE, HE ORDAINED TO DISHONOR AND WRATH FOR THEIR SIN. This is, perhaps, one of the hardest teachings of Scripture, yet it is plainly taught. We ask the student to study the following passages prayerfully and to remember that, while this doctrine is absolutely true, yet, "Him that cometh unto Me I will in no wise cast out." Furthermore, the student should remember that men are lost not because they have been foreordained to be lost, but because of their sin. "The soul that sinneth, it shall die." Ezekiel 18:20.
Study Romans 9:11-13. Note the phrases, "the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand." "Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated."
Study also Romans 9:15-23. Note the phrases, "whom He will, He hardeneth," "another unto dishonour," "the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction."
Study also Proverbs 16:4 which teaches this doctrine as clearly as words can teach it.
The following verses should also be noted: I Peter 2:8; II Peter 2:12; Exodus 9:12-16, 18, 25; Revelation 17:17; II Thessalonians 2:11-12; Acts 13:41; II Samuel 17:14; Malachi 1:2-5; John 12:39-40; Isaiah 6:9-11; John 9:38; Matthew 11:25; Luke 2:34; Matthew 13:10-15; Romans 11:8, 10; Deuteronomy 2:30; Joshua 11:20; I Samuel 2:25.
Before the student writes the exercises to this section, we ask that he read again the words which Paul inserted in his great predestination passage, Romans 9:14: "What shall we say then, is there unrighteousness with God? GOD FORBID."
EXERCISES
- Why did God raise up Pharaoh? Exodus 9:16.
- Did God desire to bring evil upon Absalom? II Samuel 17:14.
- For what purpose did God lend Isaiah? Isaiah 6:9-11,
- Why did God hate Esau? Romans 9:11ff.
- Are certain men ordained to destruction? Proverbs 16:4.
- Does God harden whom He will? Romans 9:18.
- Is there unrighteousness with God? Romans 9:14. 8. Does God have the right to ordain some to life and some to destruction? Romans 9:20-23.
HYMNS FOR STUDY
No. 68: "All My Heart This Night Rejoices."
No. 126: " 'Tis Not That I Did Choose Thee."