THE ELECTION OF GRACE

"Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the
election of grace" (KJV). "In the same way then, there has also come to be at
the present time a remnant according to God's gracious choice" (NASB). "So too, At the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace" (NIV). -- Rom11:5

Devotion 16 of 18

GOD'S ELECTION CAN BE KNOWN
     The determinist is wrong in saying no one can know who is chosen by God. This is something that CAN be known!  For example, Paul knew the Thessalonians were elected by God, and told them so."Knowing, brethren
beloved, your election of God" ("He has chosen you," RSV, NIV, "His choice of you," NASB,  1 Thess 1:4). What a marvelous thing to say, and how it must have comforted the hearts of those believers! This  knowledge, however, was
not appropriated independently of evidence. Paul knew they were elected because of their response to the Gospel. "BECAUSE our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit" (1 Thess 1:5- 6, NIV). 

      Notice the evidences. The preaching was accompanied with power, the Holy Spirit, and deep conviction! They became imitators of the Lord, even though they had to suffer to do so. The Holy Spirit gave them joy when they heard and believed the glorious Gospel of Christ! That proved to Paul they were participants in "the election of God." It is my conviction that were these evidences applied to professed followers of Christ today, there would be a staggering reduction in the count of purported disciples!
 
You Can Know Your Own Election
     Not only is it possible to know if you have been called and elected by God, you are exhorted to make every effort to know these things. "Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."  i.,e., If your calling and election is surely and confidently known by you, "You will never fall," and "you will receive a rich welcome into Christ's everlasting Kingdom." 

      Some object to an affirmation this strong. That is only because their basic understanding of God and His salvation is faulty. Once again, a theology that causes you to balk at the sayings of God puts one into spiritual jeopardy--and all in the name of religion!

     How can we make "our calling and election sure?" Rest assured, you are NOT to engage in an effort to make it more certain to God. It is already firm to Him! "Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal,  "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of the Lord abstain from wickedness" (2 Tim 2:19). According to this text, while engaging in abstinence from wickedness, our election will be made sure to us. Peter approached it from a different, yet harmonious, perspective. He emphasized making your calling and election "sure" by accenting faith and the qualities that flow from it--and doing so eagerly. "Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith  supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge; and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness; and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are  increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true  knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins" (2 Pet 1:5-9, NASB). I prefer the NASB here because of its translation "in your faith supply." The maturity of spiritual character to our persons is an activity for faith. If these qualities are yours, and are "increasing," you will not be useless or fruitless in your acquaintance with the Living God. 

     Thus your "calling and election" will become a source of comfort to you. You will "know Whom" you have believed, and be persuaded that He will guard what you have entrusted to Him, to be revealed in the day of the Lord (2 Tim 1:12). Notice that the absence of these qualities indicates a lack of spiritual vision and forgetting your sins were forgiven. There are no exceptions to these things!

PRAYER POINT: Father, I know Your gifts and callings are without repentance, and that You know those belonging to You. Give me grace to so engage myself in holy activity, that I can be assured of my calling and election.

-- TOMORROW: DO NOT BE AFRAID TO USE THE WORD! --