I began the book of Ephesians on Sunday. No preacher in his right mind would preach on the doctrine of predestination on his second Sunday of a new church plant. That's just not logical. Unless, of course, he is preaching through the great book of Ephesians, which deals with election in the first passage. It was a privilage to proclaim that election is not mainly a doctirne to debate; rather it is a doctine that should cause us to worship our God. It is called a blessing from God by Paul (Ephesians 1:3-6).
I ended with Spurgeon's great discovery: "I ascribe my change wholly to God!"
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I read a great quote by Edwards on election the other day. He states:
"Election is not only because of God's good pleasure. It is God's election of men that marks them. There is nothing distinctive about them before. God does not choose men because they are great, but makes them great because He has choosen them. It is not because they are holy that He chooses them, but He chooses them that they might be holy. Ephesians 1:4-5, 'According as he hath choosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy, and without blame before Him in love; having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.'"
This second quote is really good to. As Edwards shows the correlation between grace and election...
"Grace is defined in election. God chose His people to happiness and glory long before they were born. He chose them out of the mass of fallen manind. He loved them before they knew Him. He chose them when they did not deserve to be choosen."
I find assurance in the doctrine of election. Before I understood it, I didn't have that much assurance- I went back and forth. I was always doubting my salvation. There is something about understanding that the Lord chose me and fashioned my days before there was even one....shows me that I have nothing to do with it...and that gives me great joy and peace....and makes me even more thankful..I dont know if that makes sence or not...
I love this verse so much.
2 Tim 1:9 "(GOD) 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 given to us in Christ Jesus before time began."
I love it! You truly are not only a disciple of Jesus but of Piper!
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