Sound Words: Unconditional Election
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· 3 viewsCovers the Undonditional Election point of Calvinism, contrasting it to Arminianism
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Introduction
Introduction
Today we will continue with the second letter in TULIP. The U represents the word UNCONDITIONAL and deals with the reformed view of ELECTION. Some of us would prefer to use the word SOVEREIGN as the better way of showing God’s sovereign hand on those people who will come to know the Lord. However these five main headings found in TULIP may help to set in motion the glory of God’s saving grace in our election.
Here is a quote from John MacArthur: “without God’s enablement salvation is not possible” But our pastor has often said that “God is 100% sovereign and we are 100% responsible…” Not only will we cover Faith Bible Church’s doctrinal statement on unconditional or sovereign election, but we will also cover God’s choosing of certain individuals to be the recipients of His special grace and eternal salvation...Hint it is NOT the tunnel of time approach.
What does unconditional election mean?
What does unconditional election mean?
Here is what our church states in its doctrinal statement: Election is “That eternal act of God whereby, solely on the basis of His sovereign will and for the purpose of His glory, He chose certain persons, who had no merit, to be the recipients of His special grace and eternal salvation.” The verb “chose” is the word used in the Bible for election. R. C. Sproul says that it “means that God does not foresee an action or condition on our part that induces Him to save us. Rather, election rests on God’s sovereign decision to save whomever He is pleased to save.”
What does unconditional election NOT mean?
What does unconditional election NOT mean?
It does NOT mean that we are not responsible. Do we have a responsibility to respond to God’s call? Some scriptures show that we are accountable if we fail to answer His call . In we read "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants” Also, says, “When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.” John Piper comments on this verse with these words: “God’s election preceded faith and made it possible.”
Along with other verses like , , , we have ample evidence that man is responsible to believe in order to receive the gift of eternal life.
19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants,
12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,
16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;
10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.
What is the opposite of unconditional election?
What is the opposite of unconditional election?
Those who take an Arminian view of election would say they believe in conditional election. But the condition they include is that people are chosen because God knew they would believe. Shawn Farrell put it like this in his message: “Those who accept in faith are elected based on their faith and choice of Christ. This is called conditional election. God knew beforehand what man would do and so He elected those.” (Shawn Farrell, Grace Changes Everything)
Calvinism says that we are chosen. God chooses unconditionally whom he will mercifully bring to faith and whom he will justly leave in their rebellion. Arminians say God has chosen us, elected, to bring to salvation all those whom he foresaw would believe by bringing about their own faith — providing the decisive impetus themselves.
Where do we find unconditional election in the Bible?
Where do we find unconditional election in the Bible?
27 And then He will send forth the angels, and will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven.
Mark
27 And then He will send forth the angels, and will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven.
Mark
13 But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love
9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity,
How does it affect our salvation?
How does it affect our salvation?
The truth of election should help us realize that we are nothing special since God chose us before we did anything. It is all grace; we did not deserve to be chosen. We also should recognize that this doctrine is difficult. It does not need to be a part of sharing the gospel with unbelievers. We know that God desires all to be saved (; ). It takes time and growth in Christ to see that God has unconditionally chosen us.
4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
10 For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.
9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
Jim Orrick, author of Mere Calvinism, says this about emphasizing the doctrine of unconditional election: “Be wise. Not everything that needs to be said needs to be said right now.” (Jim Orrick, Mere Calvnism, p. 78)