Morning By Morning #199

We know, brothers loved by God,
that he has chosen you.

1 Thessalonians 1:4

From the pen of Charles Spurgeon:

Many people wish to know if they are among God’s elect before they ever look to Christ. But we cannot learn of our election in this manner, for it can only be discovered by “fix[ing] our eyes on Jesus” (Heb. 12:2).

Dear sinner, if you desire to ascertain whether or not you are among God’s elect, then do the following and your heart will have assurance before Him. If you feel you are a lost and guilty sinner, go directly to the cross of Christ and confess it to Jesus. Then tell Him you have read in the Bible: “Whoever comes to me I will never drive away” (John 6:37), and, “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Tim. 1:15). Look to Jesus and believe on Him and you will find proof of your election immediately, for as soon as you believe, you are one of the elect. If you give yourself completely to Christ and trust in Him, you are one of God’s chosen ones; but if you stop and say, “First I want to know whether or not I am one of the elect,” then you really don’t understand what you are asking.

Regardless of the magnitude of your guilt, go to Jesus just as you are and leave the questions regarding your election behind. Go directly to Christ and hide yourself in His wounds, and you will know of your election. The assurance of the Holy Spirit will be given to you and you will be able to say, “I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him” (2 Tim. 1:12). Christ was present at the council of the godhead in eternity past and He can tell you whether you were chosen in Him or not—you cannot find out any other way.

Go to Jesus, put your trust in Him, and His answer will be: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness” (Jer. 31:3). Thus, there will be no doubt about His having chosen you, once you have “chosen” Him.

Sons we are through God’s election,

Who in Jesus Christ believe.

Isaac Watts, 1674 – 1748

From the pen of Jim Reimann:

Election is a doctrine that even many long-time Christians reject, although it is taught throughout the Scriptures. In its essence, election has to do with God’s total sovereignty in our salvation. As Spurgeon once said, “Some men hate the doctrine of divine Sovereignty; but those who are called by grace love it, for they feel, if it had not been for sovereignty they never would have been saved. Was there anything good in us that moved the heart of God to save us? God forbid that we should indulge the blasphemous thought. Tell me, you who deny divine sovereignty, how is it that the publicans and harlots enter the kingdom of heaven, while the self-righteous Pharisee is shut out?”

If you find yourself struggling with election and sovereignty, consider the words of Jesus: “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him,” and “I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him” (John 6:44, 65).