|
III.
The Way to Christ
»
Chapter 27
:
Bible Election
1. WHAT does the apostle Peter admonish us to do?
"Wherefore . . . brethren, give diligence to make
your calling and election sure." 2 Peter 1:10.
NOTE.- This text
at once reveals the fact that our salvation, so far
as our own individual cases are concerned, is
dependent upon our own action. We are elected to be
save; but we are to give diligence to make this
election sure. If we do not, it will not meet
its purpose in our case, and we shall be lost.
2. What admonition given by Christ teaches the same
truth?
"Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou
hast, that no man take thy crown." Rev. 3:11.
NOTE.-Crowns have been prepared for each of the
finally redeemed. Every soul is a candidate in the
race for eternal life, and hence for a crown. Faith
in Jesus, and perseverance to the end, will hold it
fast.
3. Upon what condition is the crown of life promised?
"Be thou faithful
unto death,
and I will give thee
a crown of life." Rev. 2:10.
4. In whom, and from what time, have we been chosen
unto holiness and salvation?
"According as He hath chosen us in Him [Christ]
before the foundation of the world." Eph. 1:4, first
part.
5. What is the character of those thus chosen before
the foundation of the world?
"That we should be holy and without blemish
before Him in love." Same verse, last part, R.V.
6. To what has God foreordained those who attain to
this character?
"Having foreordained us unto adoption as sons
through Jesus Christ unto Himself." Verse 5, R. V.
7. According to what does God call us?
"And we know that all things work together for good to
them that love God,
to them who are the called according to His purpose."
Rom. 8:28.
8. According to what have we been
predestinated?
"Being predestinated according to the
purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel
of His own will." Eph. 1:11.
9. How many does God desire to be saved?
"Who will have all men to be saved, and to come
unto the knowledge of the truth." 1 Tim. 2:4.
10. Upon what condition is salvation offered?
"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt
be saved." Acts 16:31.
11. For how long must this faith be preserved in
order to bring final salvation?
"He that shall endure unto the end, the same
shall be saved." Matt. 24:13. See James 1:12;
Rev. 2:10.
12. What scripture is sometimes cited as evidence
that God is arbitrary in His dealings with men?
"Therefore hath He mercy on whom He will have
mercy, and whom He will He hardeneth." Rom. 9:18.
13. But what other scripture shows with whom God
wills to be merciful, and with whom otherwise?
"With the merciful Thou wilt show Thyself
merciful; with an upright man Thou wilt show
Thyself upright; with the pure Thou wilt
show Thyself pure; and with the froward
Thou wilt show Thyself froward." Ps. 18:25,26.
See also Isa. 55:7.
NOTE.- God wills
that men shall be saved. He has foreordained the
characters that will entitle men to salvation, but
He does not compel anyone to receive Christ,
possess this character, and be saved. This is a
matter of individual choice. By His mighty acts and
judgments in Egypt, God "hardened Pharaoh's heart."
Ex. 7:3,13,22. But the same manifestations
softened the hearts of others. The difference
was in the hearts, and in the way God's
message and dealings were received; not in God. The
same sun which melts the wax hardens the clay. Ex.
8:32 says that Pharaoh hardened his own heart.
14. What, on man's part, is essential to salvation?
"Choose ye this day whom ye will serve." Joshua
24:15. "If any man willeth to do His will, he
shall know of the teaching." John 7:17, R.V.
"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be
saved." Acts 16:31. "Whosoever will, let
him take the water of life freely." Rev. 22:17.
NOTE.- A man once
wished to join a certain church, but said he could
not do so on account of the views this church held
on the subject of "election." The minister to whom
he was sent for help and enlightenment, failing to
make the matter clear, an old colored man, a layman,
came to the rescue, and said: "Brother, this is the
very easiest thing in the church. You see, it is
like this: The votin' is goin' on all the time; and
God, He is votin' for you; and the devil, he is
votin' agin you; and whichever way you vote,
that is the way the
election goes." Commenting upon this
incident, Rev. Wilbur Chapman, the noted evangelist,
says: "I have studied theology some myself, and
graduated at a theological seminary; but I never got
anything quite so good as that."
15. In what fact may every
believer rejoice?
"But rejoice that your names are written
in heaven." Luke 10:20, R.V.
16. Whose names are to be retained
in the book of life?
"He that overcometh, . . . I will not
blot out his name
out of the book of
life." Rev. 3:5.
O, HAPPY day! that
fixed my choice
On Thee, My Saviour and my God;
Well may this glowing heart rejoice,
And tell its raptures all abroad.
'Tis done, the great
transaction's done;
I am my Lord's and he is mine;
He drew me, and I followed on,
Charmed to confess the voice divine.
Now rest, my
long-divided heart,
Fixed on this blissful center rest;
Nor ever from thy Lord depart,
With Him of every good possessed.
PHILIP DODDRIDGE.
|
