Election In Scripture
Epheshians 1: 4-6
4For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5hec predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
Perseverance
James 1:4
Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Election and Perseverance Married
2 Peter 1:10
Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election
sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.
Perhaps one of the greatest debates to ever emerge in churches is the oft framed debate of free will versus election. They have become, over time, diametrically opposed views. This should not be the case. Election and perseverance of the saints should be emphasized. Specifically what is works and what is grace? From scripture the answer is clear- Gods grace in election trumps man’s works, but man must still work for the glory of God, by the Spirit of God.
I emphasize election in all that I do, but I have seen many spiritually lazy people in my persuasion embrace forms of predestination that are unbiblical. They are content to hope and dream that God will do everything, while they do nothing. I have also seen works oriented folks become spiritual slave drivers who push people to extremes, believing man is soveriegn and salvation can be lost in the blinking of an eye, giving rise to chronic insecurity. Both are extreme views.
Today I want to take a look at election and perseverance – or lack of – in the lives of three men appointed by God. All chose to be tragic figures. All of their downfalls came about because they yielded to the influences around them. Two yielded to the opposite sex and one, the people he was appointed to lead. They limped toward the finish line of their destiny, in spite of God’s abundant grace. The lesson for us? Trustworthiness in the things of God is what Christ requires of us after we taste his grace! We can fulfill our calling like Daniel or Sampson.
Election of Sampson
Judges 13:3-5
The Birth of Samson
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Sampson’s life ended in a suicide operation that killed both him and his enemies. (See Judges 16.)
Saul’s Election 1 Samuel 9: 15-17
Appointment from Samuel:
15Now the day before Saul came, the Lord had revealed this to Samuel:
16“About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him leader over my people Israel; he will deliver my people from the hand of the Philistines. I have looked upon my people, for their cry has reached me.” 17When Samuel caught sight of Saul, the Lord said to him, “This is the man I spoke to you about; he will govern my people.”
In spite of a prohetic start and being destined for great things, Saul’s life ended on the battlefield, dying by his own hand. The tragedy continued as enemies desecrated the royal remains, him and sons alike.
1 Chronicles 10: 13-14
13Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord; he did not keep the word of the Lord and even consulted a medium for guidance, 14and did not inquire of the Lord. So the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.
Solomon’s Election
1 Chronicles 22:6 -10
6 Then he called for his son Solomon and charged him to build a house for the Lord, the God of Israel. 7David said to Solomon: “My son, I had it in my heart to build a house for the Name of the Lord my God. 8But this word of the Lord came to me: ‘You have shed much blood and have fought many wars. You are not to build a house for my Name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in my sight. 9But you will have a son who will be a man of peace and rest, and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side. His name will be Solomon,a and I will grant Israel peace and quiet during his reign. 10He is the one who will build a house for my Name. He will be my son, and I will be his father. And I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.
Solomon’s Unfaithfulness 1st Kings 11:4
“As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart
was not fully devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had
been.”
God may have done some powerful things in your life, or is currently doing them. You may have a godly heritage spanning several generations, or highly spiritual friends. But none of these things can guarantee your faithfulness or trustworthiness with the things of God. Only you can do that. Your calling and election is for you and you alone. This is the one thing in life God will hold you most accountable to.