Election: Denying the Obvious

When Doctrine over-rides Scripture

To deny the doctrine of election (def: to choose somebody by divine will for
salvation) is to deny the scriptures themselves. The evidence is so overwhelming that it
is mentioned in most books of the New Testament. To deny election is to deny the
sovereignty of God. To deny election is to deny the most fundamental truth of the Old
Testament which is the gift of a Savior coming through a “chosen” race of people; chosen
by God that is.
God choose men from the beginning of time; from Able to Noah to Abraham to
Moses and countless times in between God did the choosing. This is not to say that all
men are not given an opportunity to accept or deny Christ as Matt 22:14 teaches however
only a few are chosen.
In speaking of the sign of His coming, Jesus mentions the impact upon the elect in
Matt 24. He concludes with the great promise that those elect will be gathered together
by the angels and given the opportunity to enter into His rest at the great judgment seat of
God (Matt 25:34-40).
When teaching his disciples about the need for constancy in prayer Jesus told the
story of the unjust judge and concluded with the encouragement, “And will God not bring
about justice for his chosen ones who cry out to him day and night”.
The logical basis for this scriptural truth is expressed in Acts 1:24, “You Lord,
who know the hearts of all men,”. God knows our hearts. He knows the seat of our
emotion. He knows the depth of our passion and appreciation for the sacrifice he made
and gave us in Jesus. He knows because he is not bound by time and space for he set the
planets in motion and created the universe through his son out of nothing (Heb 1:2). He
is by definition omnipotent (def: possessing complete, unlimited, or universal power and
authority).
Time and again this aspect of God’s divine prerogative in our salvation is
confirmed in the scriptures. In 2 Tim 2: 10 Paul exhorts, “For this reason I endure all
things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain salvation which
is in Christ Jesus.” And again in 2 Thess 2:13, “But we should always give thanks to
God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the
beginning for salvation”. Again, this truth is expressed in Col 3:12, “So, as those who
have been chosen of God, holy and beloved”. It is affirmed in Titus 1:1; 1 Peter 1:1; 1
Peter 2:9; 2 Peter 1:10; and Col 1:25.
Ephesians 1 begins the letter with an extensive review and affirmation of this
truth which is a fulfillment of the Old Testament shadow of God’s chosen people. “For
he chose us in him(Jesus) before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his
sight. In love, he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ in
accordance with his pleasure and will.” It continues v:11 “In him we were also chosen,
having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in
conformity with the purpose of his will.” Can it be any clearer?
If not then consider Romans 9:11, “Yet before the 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.” Continuing with v:16, “it does not, therefore depend on man’s
desire or effort but on God’s mercy”. Paul understood the mysterious wonder of being
the beneficiary of God’s election since he was chosen in the midst of his murderous
opposition of the one who chose him (Acts 9:15).
Your comments from the essay titled, “While We Were Still Helpless” says:

“Oh, the insult of Calvinism, suggesting that the Son of God died for a few elect when
God says: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that
whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

The sentiment in that statement reflects a subtle disconnect in relation to the truth
of scripture. Scripture did not promote Calvinism however Calvinism does promote the
doctrine of election; therefore what this comment seems to be saying might be better
stated as “the insult of election”. The “disconnect” is revealed in the objective phrase,
“suggesting that the Son of God died for a few elect.” The fact is even Calvin
acknowledged Jesus died for all mankind. What Calvin is pointing out and the scripture
clearly states is that despite the opportunity for salvation being available to all mankind,
only a few will be chosen by God.

To deny the doctrine of election is to deny the obvious based on the unambiguous
affirmations of the doctrine of election and it’s repeated use in the New Testament.