Why the Doctrine of Election is Precious to Me

This is very helpful from Juan Sanchez, at the Gospel Coalition Blog:

For some the doctrine of election (God’s free and sovereign decision to choose a people for salvation from the foundation of the world-Ephesians 1:3-6) is an abominable thought that produces great fear and concern. However, I propose that a clear understanding of this doctrine should instead produce hope and assurance. Allow me to share some of the reasons why the doctrine of election is so precious to me.

The doctrine of election is precious to me because it is biblical. In a display of the Father’s love for the Son, He gives a specific people to the Son (John 6:37). This truth is evident in the testimony of the book of Revelation when it declares that the only ones entering the eternal heaven are those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life (Revelation 21:27). John further testifies in Revelation 13:8, that these names were written in this book before the foundation of the world. In other words, one fruit of the Father’s love for Jesus, is our salvation. The Father made a free and sovereign decision to save a people as a gift for the Son and for His own glory from the foundation of the world (see also John 8:47; John 10:26-29; Romans 9:10-16).

The doctrine of election is precious to me because it secures my salvation. Jesus declared that all that the Father gave Him would come to Him and that He would never cast out any who came to Him (John 6:37). Jesus delights in receiving and keeping those whom the Father gives Him because He came to do the Father’s will (John 6:38-40), and the Father’s will is that Jesus not lose any of the ones that the Father has given Him but that He raise them all up on the last day (John 6:39).

The doctrine of election is precious to me because it encourages me to pursue holiness. Paul reminded the Thessalonians “God chose you as the first fruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth” (2 Thessalonians 2:13, ESV). The Bible assures us that even though now we are only gradually being conformed to the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18), we will at glorification be completely conformed to the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29).

The doctrine of election is precious to me because it is the basis for assurance of my salvation. Because God gives a people to the Son, and because the Son receives that people and keeps them, I am assured that I will never be cast out (John 6:37), nor perish, nor be snatched out of Jesus’ hand (John 10:28). Can you imagine such assurance?  The God who predestines for salvation (election) will insure that all whom He calls to salvation will ultimately be glorified (Romans 8:30).

The doctrine of election is precious to me because it encourages me to share the gospel and gives me hope for fruit in evangelism and missions. Not only does the Father give a people to the Son (John 6:37), and not only does the Son receive these people and keep them (John 6:37-39), but the Father also assures that those whom He gives to the Son will come to the Son. It is the Father’s will that everyone believing in the Son have eternal life (John 6:40), and these who believe can only come at the Father’s drawing (John 6:44, 65). Therefore, if the Father gives a people to the Son, and He assures these people come to the Son, then we can be assured that evangelism and missions will bear fruit (Acts 13:48), and we can find encouragement in our Lord’s words to Paul, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” (Acts 18:9-10, ESV).

Finally, the doctrine of election is precious to me because it moves me to make much of God through Christ (true worship) and little of myself (humility). May we understand election and may it strip us of personal pride and move us to worship the Sovereign Lord in all His glory and grace.

Juan Sanchez is the Senior Pastor of High Pointe Baptist Church in Austin, TX and a Council member with The Gospel Coalition.

Filed under: Assurance, Christ-centred, Doctrine, Doctrines of Grace, Election, God's Glory, God's grace, Humility, Jesus Christ, Missional living, Salvation, Sanctification, Sovereignty of God, The Gospel, The glory of Christ, The word of God, Worship

D. A. Carson on the Gospel and Personal Devotions

This is the most important way to consider all aspects of Christian discipleship:

D. A. Carson applies the Gospel and the Glory of the transcendent Christ to the Christian life to promote change.

Filed under: Biblical Counseling, Biblical disciplines, Christ our treasure, Christ-centred, DA Carson, Discipleship, Doctrine, Jesus Christ, Sanctification, The glory of Christ

One more day to go

My prayer for you both is that you make Jesus look good (worthy, as he is) in all you do, for the rest of your lives.

Filed under: Christ our treasure, Christ-centred, Family

Jesus is the medicine

“The Holy Spirit consoles, but Christ is the consolation. If we may use the figure, the Holy Spirit is the Physician, but Jesus is the medicine. He heals the wound, but it is by applying the holy ointment of Christ’s name and grace. He takes not of his own things, but of the things of Christ. So if we give to the Holy Spirit the Greek name of Paraclete, as we sometimes do, then our heart confers on our blessed Lord Jesus the title of Paraclesis. If the one be the Comforter, the other is the Comfort.

Now, with such rich provision for his need, why should the Christian be sad and desponding? The Holy Spirit has graciously engaged to be thy Comforter: dost thou imagine, O thou weak and trembling believer, that he will be negligent of his sacred trust? Canst thou suppose that he has undertaken what he cannot or will not perform? If it be his especial work to strengthen thee, and to comfort thee, dost thou suppose he has forgotten his business, or that he will fail in the loving office which he sustains towards thee? Nay, think not so hardly of the tender and blessed Spirit whose name is the Comforter. He delights to give the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. Trust thou in him, and he will surely comfort thee till the house of mourning is closed for ever, and the marriage feast has begun.”

- Charles Spurgeon, Morning & Evening, October 12

(HT: Of First Importance)

Filed under: CH Spurgeon, Christ-centred, Devotional, Doctrine, Evangelical, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, The Christian Life

The Dogma is the Drama

“We are constantly assured that the churches are empty because preachers insist too much upon doctrine — ‘dull dogma,’ as people call it. The fact is the precise opposite. It is the neglect of dogma that makes for dullness. The Christian faith is the most exciting drama that ever staggered the imagination of man — and the dogma is the drama. . . . This is the dogma we find so dull — this terrifying drama which God is the victim and the hero. If this is dull, then what, in Heaven’s name, is worthy to be called exciting? The people who hanged Christ never, to do them justice, accused Him of being a bore — on the contrary; they thought Him too dynamic to be safe. It has been left for later generations to muffle up that shattering personality and surround Him with an atmosphere of tedium. We have very efficiently pared the claws of the Lion of Judah, certifying Him ‘meek and mild,’ and recommended Him as a fitting household pet for pale curates and pious old ladies.”

~ Dorothy Sayers, quoted by Michael Horton in The Gospel-Driven Life (Grand Rapids, Mi.; Baker Books, 2009), 63-64.

(HT: Of First Importance)

Filed under: Christ crucified, Christ-centred, Evangelical, Jesus Christ, The Church

He Must Increase

Thomas Watson asks, “How may a Christian know that he is humble and consequently godly?” He gives ten answers. Here’s number eight:

A humble man is willing to have his name and gifts eclipsed, so that God’s glory may be increased. He is content to be outshone by others in gifts and esteem, so that the crown of Christ may shine the brighter. This is the humble man’s motto: ‘Let me decrease; let Christ increase.’ It is his desire that Christ should be exalted, and if this is effected, whoever is the instrument, he rejoices. ‘Some preach Christ of envy’ (Phil. 1:15). They preached to take away some of Paul’s hearers. ‘Well,’ says he, ‘Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice’ (v. 18). A humble Christian is content to be laid aside if God has any other tools to work with which may bring him more glory.

–From The Godly Man’s Picture (first published in 1666)

(HT: The Gospel Coalition Blog)

Filed under: Christ our treasure, Christ-centred, Discipleship, Jesus Christ, Sanctification, Thomas Watson

The Expertly Contextualized Gospel

This is excellent:

(HT: Jared Wilson)

Filed under: Christ-centred, Cultural relevance, Doctrine, Evangelical, Evangelism, God's grace, God's holiness, Jesus Christ, Preaching, The Gospel, The word of God

Keller: You Never Get Beyond the Gospel

I love this too. From Erik Raymond:

In his article, “The Centrality of the Gospel,” Tim Keller helpfully elucidates the all too simple but all to neglected diagnosis of our spiritual ‘issues’.  I love this. (emphasis mine)

We never “get beyond the gospel” in our Christian life to something more “advanced.” The gospel is not the first “step” in a “stairway” of truths, rather, it is more like the “hub” in a “wheel” of truth. The gospel is not just the A-B-C’s but the A-Z of Christianity. The gospel is not just the minimum required doctrine necessary to enter the kingdom, but the way we make progress in the kingdom.

We are not justified by the gospel and then sanctified by obedience, but the gospel is the way we grow (Gal. 3:1-3) and are renewed (Col. 1:6). It is the solution to each problem, the key to each closed door, the power through every barrier (Rom. 1:16-17). It is very common in the church to think as follows. “The gospel is for non-Christians. One needs it to be saved. But once saved, you grow through hard work and obedience.” But Col. 1:6 shows that this is a mistake. Both confession and “hard work” that is not arising from and “in line” with the gospel will not sanctify you–it will strangle you. All our problems come from a failure to apply the gospel. Thus when Paul left the Ephesians he committed them “to the word of his grace, which can build you up” (Acts 20:32).

The main problem, then, in the Christian life is that we have not thought out the deep implications of the gospel, we have not “used” the gospel in and on all parts of our life. Richard Lovelace says that most people’s problems are just a failure to be oriented to the gospel–a failure to grasp and believe it through and through. Luther says, “The truth of the Gospel is the principle article of all Christian doctrine. . . . Most necessary is it that we know this article well, teach it to others, and beat it into their heads continually.” The gospel is not easily comprehended. Paul says that the gospel only does its renewing work in us as we understand it in all its truth. All of us, to some degree live around the truth of the gospel but do not “get” it. So the key to continual and deeper spiritual renewal and revival is the continual re-discovery of the gospel. A stage of renewal is always the discovery of a new implication or application of the gospel–seeing more of its truth. This is true for either an individual or a church.

Filed under: Christ-centred, Discipleship, Doctrine, Evangelical, Gospel-centred, Sanctification, The Gospel

Son Centraility in Worship

These are wise and instructive words from Bryan Chapell’s new book, Christ-Centered Worship.

“The redemptive flow of biblical worship inevitably makes our liturgy Christ-centered. This does not mean that Christian worship diminishes the honor of any other member of the Trinity. God the Father makes our worship Christ-centered by redeeming us through the work of his Son, and giving the Spirit to testify of him. Because worship is a response to this witness of redemption, the grace God provides through his Son is the thread that sews the service together. We do not gather simply to extol some attribute of God or to reflect the relationships of the Trinity. We do not gather merely to confess our sin. Our shame would destroy us, if his grace did not provide our pardon. We do not worship only to learn our obligations. God’s law would be our death, if the Lamb had not been slain for us. Christian worship inevitably makes Christ’s work its central theme.”

page 113.

(HT: Justin Childers)

Filed under: Christ our Mediator, Christ-centred, Doctrine, Evangelical, Jesus Christ, The Gospel, Worship

The ultimate purpose of God

Here is John Piper’s message, from the Desiring God Conference, September 27, 2009 where he shows how Jesus Christ relates to the ultimate purpose of God in creating the universe as the theatre of God:

Filed under: Biblical exposition, Christ crucified, Christ-centred, Doctrine, Evangelical, God's Glory, John Piper, Salvation History, The Consummation, The Cross, The Gospel, The glory of Christ

God-centred and Gospel-centred need each other

Filed under: Christ-centred, DA Carson, Doctrine, Evangelical, God centredness, Gospel-centred, Jesus Christ, John Piper, Sanctification, The Christian Life, The Cross, The Gospel, Tim Keller

CHRISTIANITY: All About Christ

“To behold Christ and to make others behold him is the substance of his [Paul's] ministry. All the distinctive elements of Paul’s preaching relate to Christ, and bear upon their face his image and superscription. …The entire Christian life, root and stem and branch and blossom, is one continuous fellowship with Christ.” Gerhardus Vos

(HT: Matthew Morizio)

Filed under: Christ-centred, Christian Ministry, Christianity, Discipleship, Quotes, The Christian Life

15 Reasons I Love The Church

I love the Church that Jesus us building too. My thanks to Justin Childers for this:

-She is Christ’s bride and body (Eph. 5:22-33).
-She was purchased by Christ’s own blood (Acts 20:28; Eph. 5:1; 25).
-She exists to glorify God (Eph. 3:10; 21).
-She provides accountability and encouragement for my family and I.
-She provides an opportunity to love and serve other sinners.
-She will kick me out if I live as an unbeliever.
-She provides the opportunity to utilize my spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12, 14).
-She is the pillar and buttress of the truth (1 Tim. 3:13).
-She displays the manifold wisdom of God (Eph. 3:10).
-She is my eternal family (Eph. 2:19-22).
-She reminds me of the gospel.
-She is built by Christ Himself (Matt. 16:18).
-She will never be defeated (Matt. 16:18).
-She is the dwelling place of God (Eph. 2:22).
-She nourishes my soul with the Word.

Derek Thomas has a great post about Falling in Love with the Church — again.

Filed under: Christ-centred, Church, Discipleship, Doctrine, Evangelical, Jesus Christ, The Church, The word of God

The Gospel Coalition

Filed under: CJ Mahaney, Christ-centred, DA Carson, Doctrine, Gospel-centred, Jesus Christ, John Piper, Mark Dever, The Cross, The Gospel, Theology, Tim Keller

Beholding Glory and Becoming Whole: Seeing and Savoring God as the Heart of Mental Health

Last night John Piper addressed the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) at their world conference in Nashville on the topic “Beholding Glory and Becoming Whole: Seeing and Savoring God as the Heart of Mental Health.”

The manuscript of John’s message is available here.

Here’s a sample:

[...]

God has done everything with a view to one great end—namely, that the glory of his grace should be praised by innumerable redeemed human beings. You, and everybody you counsel, were made by God to praise him. More specifically, you were made to praise his glory. And more specific yet, you were made to praise the glory of his grace.

[...]

This is why we were created. This goes to the heart of what it means for us to be fully human and for God to be fully honored. And the amazing thing is that the two happen together. They happen in the same act. God is profoundly honored and glorified in the very act of our being profoundly and completely satisfied in him. God exists to be glorious. We exist to see glory—and savorthat glory, and to give it expression in praise.

That is the ultimate goal of redemption, and so I take it to be a statement about the ultimate meaning of human wholeness. If praising God’s glory is our final destiny, then seeing and savoring and praising God’s glory must be at the heart of what it means to be fully human. Seeing and savoring God is, therefore, the heart of mental health.

[...]

My point is that praising the glory of God’s grace is the apex of human wholeness, not the pursuit of it. Praising the glory of God’s grace is the all-satisfying goal of human existence, not how you get there. And seeing that glory in the person and work of Jesus is the way this grace—this “grace upon grace,” this grace of wholeness—comes into our broken lives. Beholding glory, we are becoming whole.

(HT: Desiring God blog)

Filed under: Affections, Christ-centred, Discipleship, Doctrine, Evangelical, God's Love, God's grace, Jesus Christ, John Piper, Sanctification, The Christian Life, The Cross, The glory of Christ, The word of God, Worship