There are numerous scriptures teaching God has elected or chosen a people for salvation (Mt 24:24, Mt 24:31, Lk 18:7, Rom 8:33, Rom 9:11, Rom 11:7, Eph 1:4, Col 3:12, 1Thes 1:4, 2Thes 2:13, Tit 1:1, 1Pet 1:2, 1Pet 2:9). The elect are elsewhere described as having been given by the Father to Christ (Mt 1:21, Lk 1:21, Jn 6:37-40, Jn 10:25-29, Jn 17:1-2, Acts 18:10).
The scriptures offer no justification for the theory claiming election was based upon foreseen obedience in the elected. To the contrary, all men were foreseen as being disobedient (Ps 14:2-3, Rom 3:10-23, Rom 11:32, Eph 2:1-3, Tit 3:3-5). Accordingly, election could not have been based upon any spiritual activity in the elect since totally depraved man is spiritually dead and therefore spiritually inactive.
The scriptures teach that men were elected unto spirituality and obedience (Eph 1:3-5, Eph 2:8-10, 1Pet 1:2, 1Pet 2:9). Therefore, election could not have been based upon such criteria.
The doctrine of election is frequently charged with unfairness in that it is claimed to exclude some believers from the scheme of redemption. However, belief in Christ and obedience to His commandments are the consequences of election; therefore, all such persons are in fact the elect of God (Acts 13:48, 1Thes 1:4, 1Pet 1:2, 1Jn 4:19).
The wicked were not elected to hell in the same sense in which others were elected to heaven. Rather, God elected a people from the fallen mass of humanity while leaving all others to their self-determined destiny. Hence, the righteous will enter a kingdom prepared for them from the foundation of the world, but the wicked will enter fire which was not prepared for them, but for the Devil and his angels (Mt 25:31-46).
No comments:
Post a Comment