ELECTION & HIS TREATMENT OF SINNERS

ELECTION & HIS TREATMENT OF SINNERS

Matt. 19:30 “But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.”

Matt. 20:16 “So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.”

Bible never seeks to soften or modify the doctrine of Divine Election.

                   1. Our Lord defends the principle of election from the ordinary facts of human life.

                        Luke 4:25-27 “But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land; But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow. And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.”

            Note the context.        Widow of Sarepta-Naaman the Syrian

                        Christ elected some for favor. 1 year after the start of His ministry-came back home-went to synagogue to read scripture-stood up to ask permission to read and talk-He knew beforehand the scriptures to be read-Isaiah 64-Read right up to the middle of the sentence-sat down as the official position of a teacher just after beginning. Here He gave a lesson on Divine election.

                   2. Paul defends it on the basis of Biblical History.

                        Rom. 9:6-13 “Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son. And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.”           

Note peculiar force of argument to the Jew. Children of promise; seed of Isaac; Jacob not Esau.

                   3. Its ultimate defense rests on the sovereignty of God.

Matt. 19:30 -                                                 Matt. 19:30 - 20:16 First shall be last and last shall be first. He gave all in this account a penny. They all started at different times of the day. Ones that started late He still paid a penny because He wanted to. God does not have to treat all sinners alike which is the definition of grace. Some murmured, "Didst not thou agree with me for a penny?"

             Note: Many arguments against the principle of election are based on the fallacy that God must treat all sinners alike.

- This takes us back to the question of Grace. Grace is unmerited favor. God is not dealing in justice but grace. And until you get that straight you cannot understand His elective moves with sinners which includes all of mankind except Jesus. Some sinners are not saved because they do not want to be. But still others are saved because God dealt in grace.