Sovereign Grace
From Gospel Translations
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Sovereign Grace and the Glorious Mystery of Election
He chose us in him before the foundation of the world — Ephesians 1:4
C.J. Mahaney
First Impressions
Author James Cantelon presents this moving and insightful remembrance of his conversion experience:
“First impressions are lasting impressions.” So goes the old saying, and I suspect in most cases it is true. My first impression of God is with me to this day. It happened at a musty old church camp in Central Saskatchewan, Canada. I was five years old.
Back in those days we were into tabernacles. Not only were most of our churches called tabernacles, but our camp meeting buildings were also given this Old Testament name for tent. On one especially hot day my parents were in the adult tabernacle and I, with my fellow junior campers, was in the children’s tabernacle. The teacher was taking us through Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress. As she taught, something sparked within me.
After the lesson the children exploded into the sunshine to play. I lingered. Miss Brown seemed to know why.
“Can I help you, Jimmy?” she asked gently. I nodded dumbly, biting my suddenly trembling lower lip, tears welling in my eyes.
“Let’s go into the back room and pray,” she said. I can’t explain what happened....But I will say this: at age five I suddenly felt as though I were the worst sinner who had ever lived. My sense of sin nearly crushed my little heart. The prayer, however, had not ended. It began with remorse, it grew into joy. I felt this newly discovered burden lift from my fragile soul. The presence of God overwhelmed me. Without my looking for him, or asking for him—indeed, without any knowledge of my need of him—God came looking for me, asking for me...a five-year-old kid.[1] First impressions are indeed lasting impressions. Mr. Cantelon’s description of his conversion experience is revealing: “God came looking for me.” What is your understanding of your conversion experience? Who pursued whom? Did God come looking for you? Or does it seem that, in essence, you were pursuing God? What stands out the most to you: God’s initiative and intervention, or your repentance and faith?
One week-night, when I was sitting in the house of God, I was not thinking much about the preacher’s sermon, for I did not believe it. The thought struck me, How did you come to be a Christian? I sought the Lord. But how did you come to seek the Lord?The truth flashed across my mind in a moment—I should not have ought him unless there had been some previous influence in my mind to make me seek him. I prayed, thought I, but then I asked myself, How came I to pray? I was induced to pray by reading the Scriptures. How came I to read the Scriptures?I did read them, but what led me to do so? Then, in a moment, I saw that God was at the bottom of it all, and that he was the Author of my faith, and so the doctrine of grace opened up to me, and from that doctrine I have not departed to this day, and I desire to make this my constant confession, “I ascribe my change wholly to God.”
—Charles Spurgeon[2]These are not academic questions. The Christian who misunderstands or misinterprets the underlying cause of his or her conversion can be vulnerable to legalism, pride,self-reliance,ingratitude,condemnation,and lack of assurance. But when we rightly understand the nature of our conversion— that is, when we clearly grasp the role of God’s sovereign grace in election—we position ourselves to enjoy, in an ongoing way, the wonderfully life-transforming benefits that are available only through the gospel.
Out of Our Depth
Election, of course, is a doctrine issuing from the deep end of the theological pool. As soon as we encounter it, we must all acknowledge that we are in way over our heads. This is a place of mystery, a place that spawns a hundred questions, all of them variations on a single question: “How do I reconcile divine sovereignty with human responsibility?”
On the topic of theological mystery, I find this quote from J. Rodman Williams most helpful: “Because all Christian doctrines relate to God who is ultimately beyond our comprehension, there will inevitably be some element of mystery, or transcendence, that cannot be reduced to human understanding. Nonetheless, within these limits the theological effort must be carried on.”[3]
Indeed, God has announced the following non-negotiable arrangement: “The secret things belong to the Lord and the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever” (Det 29:29).
As one who loves secrets, my pride does not respond well to such a declaration. So, partly as an aid to my humility, God has allowed me to live near Washington, DC. Here, among the members of the church I am privileged to serve, are a number of people who must be rather secretive about the details of their government-related jobs. Sometimes, when talking with one or another of them, my pride and self-importance rises up, and I begin to crave a little insider access. Why don’t they share some cool stuff with me? Can’t they trust me? Can’t they make an exception for their pastor? To their credit, they never satisfy my prideful craving. Usually they don’t even admit they know any secrets. I can behave the same way with God. I implore him to explain some theological mystery, arrogantly assuming that my brain would not be microwaved by exposure to such divine illumination. But in his goodness, wisdom, and mercy, he doesn’t tell me any secrets, either. How comfortable are you with the secret things of God?...with the difficult to understand?...the paradox?...the apparent contradiction? Are you at peace in the deep end of the pool? In Scripture, God has asserted both divine sovereignty and human responsibility, without seeking to harmonize them completely. But they are certainly harmonized in his infinite wisdom, and that should be enough for us.
John Calvin offers wise counsel on this matter:
The subject of predestination, which in itself is attended by considerable difficulty, is rendered very perplexed, and hence perilous, by human curiosity, which cannot be restrained from wandering into forbidden paths...Those secrets of his will which he has seen fit to manifest, are revealed in his Word—revealed in so far as he knew to be conducive to our interest and welfare....Let it, therefore, be our first principle that to desire any other knowledge of predestination than that which is expounded by the Word of God, is no less infatuated than to walk where there is no path, or to seek light in darkness....The best rule of sobriety is, not only in learning to follow wherever God leads, but also when he makes an end of teaching to cease wishing to be wise.[5]
I believe that Christian maturity includes an increasing comfort with divine mystery and a growing trust in God, so that we can say with David, “O Lord, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great or too marvelous for me” (Ps 131:1).
As one grows in Christ, there won’t be less mystery. But there ought to be more humility, that we may be more at rest in the presence of divine mystery. May it be great enough and marvelous enough for us to know that the doctrine of election is sound and reliable, representing the clear teaching of Scripture.
So let no one entertain vain hopes. This paper will answer no heretofore unanswered questions. It will not neatly align concepts that, to our limited minds, can seem out of alignment. And it certainly will not eliminate from the doctrine of election that rich element of mystery. Remember—the most gifted, best-equipped minds in church history, no matter how far they dive into the theological pool, have failed to plumb the depths of election. Meanwhile, far above them, my skinny legs can only occasionally be glimpsed, just beneath the surface, desperately treading water.
Before exploring the marvelous doctrine of election, the following points must be made in an effort to minimize any potential misunderstanding.
1) Because we find both divine sovereignty and human responsibility in Scripture, we must teach both, all the while emphasizing that the accent in Scripture is on election: the sovereignty of God in salvation.
2) The doctrine of election, although vitally important, does not define Sovereign Grace Ministries. The gospel defines us.
Election plays a critical role in relation to the gospel of grace. It protects and preserves the gospel, but it is not fully synonymous with the gospel. The gospel is the person and work of Jesus Christ. We are saved by trusting in him and his perfect work. “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” (1Co 15:3-4). We are not more passionate about election than we are about the gospel. Election is a vital doctrine, but only the gospel is of first importance.
3) A person does not have to believe in, under- stand, or agree with the doctrine of election in order to be saved. A saving relationship with God requires repentance from sin and trust in Christ alone, to save by grace alone, through faith alone. While the doctrine of election is an important one, and mistaken beliefs about it can have negative consequences, an embrace of the doctrine of election is clearly not necessary to salvation.
4) The doctrine of election is for Christians, not non-Christians. It should not be taught or referred to in any evangelistic context. Theologian Bruce Milne has stated wisely that the doctrine of election “is not an explicit part of the gospel which the Christian presents to the unbeliever. It ought not to inhibit the universal appeal of Christian evangelism.”[6] The English reformer John Bradford said, “Let a man go to the grammar school of faith and repentance before he goes to the university of election and predestination.”
5) Our unity with Christians from outside this ministry does not require full agreement on the doctrine of election. We affirm these words of Charles Spurgeon:
“We give our hand to every man that loves the Lord Jesus Christ, be he what he may or who Lord Jesus Christ, be he what he may or who he may. The doctrine of election, like the great act of election itself, is not intended to divide between Israel and Israel but between Israel and the Egyptians. Not between saint and saint, but between saints and the children of the world. A man may be evidently of God’s chosen family and yet, though elected, may not believe in the doctrine of election. I hold that there are many savingly called who do not believe in effectual calling and that there are a great many who persevere to the end who do not believe the doctrine of final perseverance. We do hope the hearts of many are a great deal better than their heads. We do not set their fallacies down to any willful opposition to the truth as it is in Jesus, but simply to an error in their judgment which we pray God to correct. We hope that if they think us mistaken, too, they will reciprocate the same Christian courtesy. And when we meet around the cross, we hope that we shall ever feel that we are one in Christ Jesus.”[7]
The Glorious Mystery
Ephesians 1:4 is a definitive text for gaining a biblical understanding of one’s conversion experience. And while it is far from the only text on the subject of divine election, it is clear, authoritative, succinct, and sufficient for our present purposes. Here, despite the lingering presence of mystery, is clarity that the human mind can grasp firmly.
This verse explains what was really taking place at that moment of conversion: the outworking of a divine choice made in eternity past. The verse tells us that our transition from death to life, from sinner to saint, from object of wrath to object of mercy, was exclusively and entirely the result of sovereign grace. Does your first impression of your conversion suggest otherwise? If so, let that impression be adjusted by truth:
He chose us
in him
before the foundation of the world
In this verse, Paul takes us behind the scenes. He turns our attention away from our limited, personal experience, and toward the Sovereign One, reigning in eternity past. Inspired by the Spirit, Paul wants there to be absolute clarity on this point: salvation flows from divine election. Every conversion, in every era, in every land, has come about solely by sovereign grace.
With Ephesians 1:4 as our guide, let us now concentrate on that which is clear and certain regarding this doctrine. Let us explore the glories of election, that we might derive from it the full benefits God intends.
He chose us in him...As we begin to unpack this phrase, we should do so in the context of verses 3-14, which in the Greek appear as a single sentence. That sentence begins with Paul celebrating spiritual blessings: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing.” Paul then spins out a dizzying array of blessings, beginning with the fact that “He chose us.” The effect of that initial blessing is later echoed several more times in the passage—in words such as “predestined,” “adoption,” “redemption,” and “forgiveness” —as Paul explores the wonders of our unmerited salvation.
We learn from this passage of Scripture that divine choice precedes human response. In light of my sinfulness, pervasive depravity, and wicked hostility to God, I must concur with Charles Spurgeon that this is precisely what happened in my case.
I believe the doctrine of election, because I am quite certain that, if God had not chosen me, I should never have chosen him; and I am sure he chose me before I was born, or else he never would have chosen me afterwards; and he must have elected me for reasons unknown to me, for I never could find any reason in myself why he should have looked upon me with special love.[8]
As you read this quote, does your spirit rise up in affirmation? Are you quick to agree? Do you see that he chose you, and not vice versa? And do you see that he chose you—not because of who you were, or are, or will yet become—but simply out of his own mercy? If not, perhaps you hold a common misunderstanding regarding the nature of election, one brilliantly addressed in this anecdote from Mark Webb. It begins with him teaching a class.
After giving a brief survey of these doctrines of sovereign grace, I asked for questions from the class. One lady, in particular, was quite troubled. She said, “This is the most awful thing I’ve ever heard! You make it sound as if God is intentionally turning away men who would be saved, receiving only the elect.” I answered her in this vein. “You misunderstand the situation. You’re visualizing that God is standing at the door of heaven, and men are thronging to get in the door, and God is saying to various ones, ‘Yes, you may come, but not you, or you, or you...’ The situation is hardly this. Rather, God stands at the door of heaven with his arms outstretched, inviting all to come. Yet all men without exception are running in the opposite direction towards hell as hard as they can go. So God, in election, graciously reaches out and stops this one, and that one, and this one over here, and that one over there, and effectually draws them to himself by changing their hearts, making them willing to come. Election keeps no one out of heaven who would otherwise have been there, but it keeps a whole multitude of sinners out of hell who otherwise would have been there. Were it not for election, heaven would be an empty place, and hell would be bursting at the seams.” That kind of response, grounded as I believe that it is in scriptural truth, does put a different complexion on things, doesn’t it?
If you perish in hell, blame yourself, as it is entirely your fault. But if you should make it to heaven, credit God, for that is entirely his work! To him alone belong all praise and glory, for salvation is all of grace from start to finish![9]Do you realize that he stopped you in your willful, headlong rush toward the gates of hell? Scripture speaks of us, in our unregenerate condition, as enemies of God, denoting an active hatred and hostility (Col 1:21, Ro 5:10, Php 3:18-19). Yet prior to Genesis 1:1, this God whom you hated determined to save you. And in time, through the proclamation of the gospel, he called you by name, stopping you in your eager flight. Why did he do that? Certainly not because there was anything lovable in you. This is the mystery of his mercy. Because he had chosen you inhis Son, he stopped you becauseof his Son. Do you not find that astonishing? The more you are aware of God’s divine initiative and your own depravity, the more you will be amazed by grace.
Let’s remember: You and I were dead in our sins (Eph 2:1, Col 2:13). God placed that phrase in the Bible intentionally. We were not weakened. We were not injured. We were not sickly or languishing. In relation to God and salvation we were dead. Flatlined. Gone. A bunch of corpses.
At the same time, we were very much alive with respect to sin and self. We loved darkness, and that love made us enemies of God, and hostile to him. We hated him. Please, don’t flatter yourself by thinking otherwise. Let the plain teaching of Scripture enlighten your understanding. You were not seeking God. You did not discover God. You did not find God. (He was not hiding.) Nor were you neutral toward God. You were actively and arrogantly hostile and opposed—you hated God as your enemy. You may well have been drawn to some caricature of God. You may have been pursuing a counterfeit religious experience involving a man-pleasing deity crafted out of vain hopes and sinful imagination. But the true and living God—the sovereign, self-sustaining, pre-existent one—him, you despised. It was directly away from him, away from the uncompromising standard of his perfect holiness, that you were running, and running hard.
How could a holy God choose sinners such as us? Scripture pro- vides the answer to this all-important question. He chose us “in him.” That is, in the Savior, who in the first 14 verses of Ephesians is refer- enced no less than 15 times. He is the means by which God’s choice to save is achieved. Sovereign grace is in him. I am chosen in Christ, and solely because of Christ. I am not chosen apart from Christ, or because of anything within me. Election, redemption, adoption, and forgiveness of sins are in him, and none of these can exist apart from him. He was the Lamb slain before time. God chose us in him...
...before the foundation of the world.
Here is a rare biblical reference to something that God was doing before creation. He was choosing sinners like you and me. Prior to Genesis 1:1, we were singled out, selected for salvation. For me, this is brain-overload territory. I’m undone by the sovereign grace displayed in this phrase. The God whom I hated determined to save me and, in time, through the proclamation of the gospel, called me by name, declaring, “Stop. You will not go to hell. Instead, forgiveness of sins and infinite joy is yours in my Son.” And it was all decided before the foundation of the world.
Our Worthy Response
“When [Paul] introduces [election] into his teaching,” writes J.I. Packer, “it is for one end only—to help Christians see how great is the grace that has saved them, and to move them to a worthy response in worship and life.”[11] Indeed, to hold to a biblical under- standing of election is to live a life of “worthy response.” To learn that we were chosen before time enables us to live for him, in time, with joy, passion, and clarity of purpose that are rooted beyond time.
In my experience, a clear and thorough understanding of God’s grace in election promotes, at a minimum, humility before God, assurance from God, gratefulness to God, and a pervasive sense of mission for the gloryofGod.By God’s grace,these“worthy responses” in large measurehave characterized the Sovereign Grace churches thus far. It is my goal to ensure that they continue to do so, and in increasing measure, that God may be increasingly glorified.
Humility before God
In 1 Corinthians 1:26-29, Paul references election four times, and then ties the doctrineof election to humility, “so that no human being might boast” (v.29). “God intentionally designed salvation so that no man could boast of it,” writes Mark Webb. “He didn’t merely arrange it so that boasting would be discouraged or kept to a minimum—He planned it so that boasting would be absolutely excluded. Election does precisely that.”[12]
Election leaves no room for self-congratulation, for it precludes
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