Weekly Devotional 3-9-20 God’s Loving Purpose in Election
Many have struggled with the thought that a loving God would elect certain people, but not others to be saved, but it needs to be asked; could God indeed be a loving God if He didn’t?
The purpose of salvation is that of restoration, restoration of fallen man to a position where he can be in the presence of holy God. In truth, however, fallen man does not want to be restored, at least restored on God’s terms. Most certainly, every person would like God to excuse his or her sin, but a fallen man wants to remain autonomous, that is, he wants the right of self-determination. This determination is focused on and motivated by the desires of a fallen nature. When man sinned (represented in Adam), he became other than when created—man represented in Adam, died toward God. That is, upon sinning, he became separated from God. God was holy and righteous, but fallen man was now unholy and unrighteous. Holy God could not be in the presence of sinful man and sinful man, because of guilt and fear, lost the desire to be in the presence of God; In this new state of being a man could and would only dishonor God.
Jesus, speaking of this state of being, said: “19And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed
” (John 3:19-20). We must note, Jesus said that everyone who practices evil hates the light because God is light, the light that exposes fallen man’s sin.
Now the question becomes, is this some men or all men (all persons)? Paul answers this question for us when by inspiration of the Holy Spirit wrote, “10There is none righteous, no, not one; 11 There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. 12 They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one” (Romans 3:10-12) or later when he wrote, “3for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Friends, this is God’s judgment. There is no one, in themselves, profitable to God, everyone excluding none, have (or do) turn aside from honoring (glorifying) Him.
God proved this axiom (self-evident truth) when He allowed men to live by their consciences for nearly one thousand years. In their failure to live godly lives, they became so wicked that God destroyed them all, except eight people who He left to repopulate the earth. He further proved this axiom when He separated the nation of Israel unto Himself from the rest of humanity. He chose them, “to be a peculiar treasure unto Himself above all people. They were chosen to be a kingdom of priests, a holy nation” (Exodus 19:5-6). They were the adopted people of God. They were given the glory of being His representatives to the nations. They were brought into a covenant relationship with Him. They were given the law, the service of God, and the “promises” (Romans 9:4), but still, they chose to follow and worship strange gods. Both those who lived under the rule of conscience, and those who lived under the law turned aside in service of self. Each brought dishonor to the name of God. How could He possibly allow them to be in His presence? How could He allow any of us to be in His presence? The truth is, He couldn’t. Remember, “There is none righteous, no not one.” This includes you and me.
Nonetheless, He has given a call to all of humanity, that whosoever will, may come, “16For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17). The problem is, just because the call was and is given, it doesn’t mean that anyone would or will respond. Remember, “10There is none Righteous, no, not one; 11 There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. 12 They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one.”
However, God must honor the sacrifice of Jesus (God the Son) who gave His life for those who would come to Him, but alas, none would or will come to Him, as proven in our examples above. So, in honor of His only begotten Son, God went (goes) a step further. He sent His Spirit into the world to regenerate those He would elect, those whom He would efficaciously call. In other words, because no one would answer the general call, God efficaciously called some.
Now, if one should question God’s fairness in choosing some to be saved in honor of Jesus’ sacrifice and not others, consider; He doesn’t prevent the unchosen from turning to Him.
God doesn’t prevent one from turning to Him. Those who won’t turn to Him (on His terms) are their own roadblock. God is just and fair.
Remember, sinful man cannot be in God’s presence, repent, and be saved.
Steve
stevelampman@comcast.net stevelampman.com