CHAPTER 7
ELECTION
Girls and boys often hear the word 'election' and perhaps are bewildered by it. Or at school people say, 'You believe in election at your chapel' Well, we do. Whatever people may say, the Bible is full of election. I remember years ago a boy, who fully believed the Bible to be God's Word, saying to me, 'I just do not believe in election.' 'Well,' I said, 'read Romans chapter 9.' He did; and said, 'I admit I cannot understand it, but it is there, very clearly.'
What is election? Before God made the world He knew that men would sin and so deserve His punishment. But in love God chose certain persons out of the human race and decreed that they would be saved from sin, and at last go to heaven.
We see this worked out right through the Bible. There were many people living in Ur; but God spoke to one man, Abraham. Abraham had two sons, Isaac and Ishmael; but Isaac was chosen. Isaac had two sons, Jacob and Esau; but Jacob was chosen.
It has always been so. For instance, in the Black Country district years ago lived two boys. Both were the same age. Both were in the same class. Both were called George Rose. They had to be known as George Rose 'A' and George Rose 'B'. After leaving school they lost sight of each other for many years. One day they met. One George Rose was going to the greyhound track; the other George Rose was going to preach.
People usually say, 'But this is unfair!' The way the Bible reveals it is rather this: if God had willed, He might have chosen none, He might have punished all. None, of themselves, would choose God. Election does not shut any out: their sin has done that; it shuts millions in.
The Bible always speaks of election as an election of grace—the wonderful grace of Almighty God in choosing sinners that they might at last go to heaven. A famous American preacher was once asked: 'what is grace?' He gave the following reply. If a tramp came to my house and I gave him a lovely meal and then a comfortable bed for the night, that would be kindness. But if that tramp were to steal some of my valuable possessions and then again, the next night, I gave him a lovely meal and comfortable bed, that would be grace. ('Grace is God's free favour in the face of active demerit.')
A girl or boy may ask, 'How may I know if I am elect?' God in His Word always joins together election and calling. 'All that the Father giveth Me' (election), says Jesus, 'shall come to Me' (calling) (John 6: 37). 'Blessed is the man whom Thou choosest' (election) 'and causest to approach unto Thee' (calling) (Psalm 65: 4). Those that God chose in eternity He calls in time. One by one they are brought to feel their need of the Lord Jesus, and come to Him for salvation. And each needy sinner is invited and welcome. 'Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.'
So the command is: 'Give diligence to make your calling and election sure' (in that order) (2 Peter 1:10). Am I called by God's grace? Has He taught me my need as a sinner? Have I had to venture on the Lord Jesus? Is He my only hope? Then if called I am chosen (elect).
The best explanation we have ever heard is this. In Scotland a few godly people were seeking to answer the question: 'How may I know that God has chosen me? How may I know that I am one of the elect?' At length an old soldier was asked to speak. This is what he said:
You all know that I am an old soldier. Because of this every month I receive a pension. Now I believe that in London there is a big book where are written the names of every old soldier receiving the pension. I have never been to London. I have never seen the book, or read my name there. But because month by month the pension comes, I know my name must be there.
He continued: So, I believe there is a book in heaven, the Lamb's book of life, with all the names of the elect. I have never been up to heaven. I have not seen the book, nor read my name there. But because from time to time divine favours flow down from heaven into my soul, I know my name must be written there.
The streams of love I trace
Back to their fountain
God; And in His wondrous mercy see
Eternal thoughts of love to me.
Suggested Bible readings
Romans 8: 28-39.
Romans 9: 6-24.
Ephesians 1, especially the first part.