The Salty Peanut Gallery

This was a subject of great discussion in a recent youth Sunday school class at my church. Historically the issue of election has been one of immense controversy. The problem lies in the fact that we want to believe we are captain of our own destiny. We are sentient, discerning beings capable of determining the difference between right and wrong, good and evil. It’s only fair that we be allowed to choose between salvation or destruction, right? How could a righteous and loving God choose some for heaven and others for hell?

John MacArthur has a great explanation on the subject Is the Doctrine of Election Biblical?

There are two undeniable truths that we must come to grips with when it comes to election. The first has to do with fairness. You see if it’s fairness you want, then we should all go to hell. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. For the wages of sin is death” – Romans 3:23; 6:23. It isn’t fair that any of us should be allowed to go to heaven. We’re all sinners deserving of hell.

The second undeniable truth has to do with choice. The fact is we have a choice. We may choose in what fashion we will sin against God, but according to scripture we do not have it within ourselves to choose righteousness. “There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God” – Romans 3:10. “But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” – 1 Corinthians 2:14. So see we do have a choice. Unfortunately God’s Word expressly tells us that when given the opportunity we will not naturally choose to receive Christ. We will always choose to reject Him. Why? Because we are sinners. That’s what sinners do. That is our nature. Therefore, salvation is solely and completely a product of God’s divine mercy.

“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that NOT OF YOURSELVES; it is the gift of God, NOT OF WORKS, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which GOD PREPARED BEFOREHAND that we should walk in them” – Ephesians 2:4-10.

For years people in my denomination have been compelled to sugarcoat election fearing the controversy that it may cause. No one said understanding election was easy; however, we need not fear the truth. Jesus said, “…the truth shall set you free” – John 8:32. I say embrace the truth and praise the God from whom all blessings flow.