In the US we are going though another Primary Season, preparing for the November Election.
But we don’t talk very well about our True “Primary” Election, our eternal one.
Mike’s post I’m reading early this morning is a simple presentation of this. Just read it. I will add a few observations of my own below.
I mentioned back to Mike, with this doctrine, comes our Assurance also. If faith was our responsibility it is said that no one would come. There are many aspects of this:
The Bible says we are dead, the dead can’t do anything.
All are sinful, there is no one Righteous. Even if we think we are, Jesus showed that we can’t.
But in the parables of the Lost Coin, Sheep, and Son and Jesus’ teaching in John 6….We have the assurance that none of the Elect are lost.
Jhn 6:32-41 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. 34 Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. 35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. 36 But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not. 37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. 38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. 39 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. 40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. 41 The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.
Notice the highlighted verses: Giveth, All, no wise cast out, lose nothing, every one….important words, but they need to be defined in the larger context of the Bible as a whole.
In our Zoom Bible Study at the small Reformed church I’m regularly visiting is reading a Great Book about Grace.
The Grace of Christ – Sinners Saved by Unmerited Kindness
by William S. Plumer
“We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved.” Acts 15:11
Copies available on Amazon and actual free ebooks & PDF’s if you search the web.
Plumer has a unique style, short chapters, 53 in my copy, in each he often quotes noted historical believers, in the chapter we read Tuesday night, some are:
What the martyrs taught. The reformers. Other godly men.
And he often adds from our historical Confessions and Catechisms. It’s a great witness of faith.
Here are few of Plumer’s recent quotes…
The Synod of Dort says: “Election is the unchangeable purpose of God, by which, before the foundation of the world, according to the most free pleasure of his will, and of his mere grace, out of all mankind (fallen through their own fault from their first integrity into sin and destruction) he has chosen in Christ unto salvation a set number of certain men, neither better nor more worthy than others, but lying in the common misery with others.” In subsequent sections many explanations are given, as that this election is not manifold, but one; that it was not made upon the foresight of faith or good works, but was unto faith and holiness; that the true cause of this free election is the good pleasure of God; that it cannot be interrupted, changed, revoked, or disannulled; that this doctrine is to be reverently received, etc. etc.
That the doctrine of election is a ground of encouragement to pious preachers of the Gospel is certain. Thousands have told us so. It was so to Paul. “Then the Lord said to Paul in a night vision, ‘Don’t be afraid, but keep on speaking and don’t be silent. For I am with you, and no one will lay a hand on you to hurt you, because I have many people in this city.’ And he stayed there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.” Acts 18:9-11. The previous context shows that the Jews at Corinth “opposed Paul and became abusive.” In fact the work of founding a church there was but just begun. Yet God says, “I have many people in this city.” The only fair logical meaning, is that among the crowds of the ungodly in that city, were many of God’s elect, whom he purposed by Paul’s ministry soon to bring to a saving knowledge of Christ. The doctrine of election, rightly understood, holds out the only ground of encouragement, which we have, for preaching the blessed Gospel. If God has no elect—we preach in vain!
Peter Martyr* says: “If faith itself be considered as our act, it is impossible we should be justified by it, because faith, in this view of it, is lame and imperfect, and falls short of that completeness which the law requires. We are said to be justified by faith because it is by faith that we lay hold upon, and apply to ourselves the promises of God, and the righteousness and merits of Christ.”
We have to be given the ability to see the faith we have been called to, given by Grace. As Martyr says it isn’t our own act. When we go out and witness to our faith to others, pray that God has prepared their hearts, has opened them to receive the good seed, the good word of the Gospel. When go openly and share both our lives and the message, we have confidence knowing God’s will in fact will be done.
Prayer…
Mat 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Mat 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Mat 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread.
Mat 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Mat 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
As the passage above from John 6 shares, this is our bread, it is God’s will that all the Elect will hear the gospel and come.
*Peter Martyr Vermigli
September 9, 1499 in Florence, Italy.
I actually did not recognize Peter Martyr’s name when Plumer quoted him. I’ve spent very little time reading about Italian Protestants. His is a very good example. The article at Wikipedia seems pretty good on him.
Maybe better this one from Westminster Seminar:
And there is another book which he wrote:
Rainbow Trout 