His Sovereignty in Election

God chose you in advance. He predestined before you before he created anything. You have faith in Christ because God gave it to you. You repented of your sins because God granted repentance. Faith and repentance are gifts from God. Why did you accept the Lord Jesus? Jesus said “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.” You are not saved because you are intelligent or spiritually sensitive or morally good. You are saved because of God’s sovereign grace. No one can ever boast before God because he did it all. God has mercy on whomever he chooses, and he hardens the heart of whomever he chooses. It’s true. You can see it clearly when you read the Bible. He hardened Pharaoh’s heart so he could display his power and make his Name known throughout the world. He opened Lydia's heart to spread the gospel of Jesus throughout Europe. He hardened Israel's heart to bring Gentiles into his family. And when the full number of Gentiles come it all Israel will be saved. You may think it's unfair because who can resist his will. Be careful. You are not God's critic. Don't argue with the Almighty about his sovereignty. He may overwhelm you with a storm. You may hear him say "Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words? Brace yourself like a man while I question you - since you know so much. Where were you when I created the foundations of the earth?" You, like Job, would cover your mouth with your hand and realize that he is the potter and we are the clay. Clay never protests - why did you make me this way. He knows what he's doing. He is God and you are not. Just accept the fact that he is totally righteous and all his decisions are just - even when you can't understand - even when it looks unfair. The secret things belong to God - the reveal things are available for us to read - most of what God has revealed is easy to understand but some things are perplexing and seem irreconcilable. I do not think it is impossible to reconcile God's sovereignty in election with human freewill. But both are clearly and repeatedly taught in scripture. When you read those sections you can hardly keep from asking questions. Just make sure that, when you ask such questions, you maintain a humble, submissive tone and let go of the illusion that you could ever comprehend the incomprehensible. Remember, "we know in part". Perhaps he will explain it in the question and answer room in heaven. Until then accept both doctrines (God's total sovereignty and human free will) and learn to live with the dissonance. Some believers can't stand it so they embrace one at the expense of the other. Don't make that mistake. You'll miss out on the blessing. What blessing? Security for you and praise for God - I'll explain the blessing in a minute. My point here is to encourage you to say "God is sovereign and we are free - I believe it even though I can't understand it" and let the tension it creates remain. Don't focus on freewill at the expense of sovereignty. Don't ignore or explain away passages that emphasize his sovereign will. How can you? I can't escape it because it keeps jumping off the page and hitting me in the face. To me, it is so clear and emphatic. Strong statements with stories that illustrate. Remember Rebekah? God spoke to her while she was still pregnant. Before Rebekah’s twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God’s purpose in election might stand: not by works but by him who calls—she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” It does not depend on our desire or effort it depends on God’s mercy. Mercy! That's what you need to focus on. His sovereign mercy. His love and grace. The truth of God's sovereignty in election was not revealed to perplex us. Why did he reveal it? For his own glory. To display his awesom power and absolute control. He also wanted to make us to feel secure. To reassures us of his love and mercy. The world will never spin out of his control. God gave us a little glimpse is scripture so we would understand that everything will conform to HIS will - not our will. He planned everything before it began. Christ was crucified before the creation of the world. He knew you, predestined you, called you, justified you and glorified you. Romans 8:30 takes my breath away. The entire scheme of human redemption in one verse - breathtaking! Read it carefully and notice that it is stated in the past tense. How can that be? God knows the future - even more, everything conforms to his eternal purpose. He can see the end from the beginning because he is the alpha and omega. The first and the last. He is the beginning and the end and everything in between. You died and your life is NOW hidden with God in Christ. God has ALREADY raised you and seated you with Christ in the heavenlies. What do you have to worry about? It's done - it's complete - in the mind of God you are with Jesus. You are saved and secure. Now, when you think about all these things that are too wonderful to understand - let it fill you with awe and wonder and say with Paul "Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Who has been his counselor? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever and ever! Amen!