God's Election: Full of Sweet, Pleasant, and Unspeakable Comfort
How my Lord speaks of the doctrine of election
- He says, You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, that you should go and bring forth fruit.
- It includes not only the election to the Apostolic office, which was peculiar to the eleven,
- but the election to eternal life, which is the privilege of all believers.
- To this last choosing, as it specifically concerns myself, I may profitably direct my attention.
Election to eternal life,
- is a truth of Scripture which I must receive humbly, and believe implicitly.
- Why the Lord Jesus calls some and not others, quickens whom He will, and leaves others alone in their sins,
- these are deep things which I cannot explain.
- Let it suffice me to know that it is a fact.
God must begin the work of grace in my heart, or else I will never be saved.
- Christ must first choose me and call me by His Spirit,
- or else I shall never choose Christ.
- Beyond doubt, if not saved, I shall have none to blame but myself.
- But if saved, I shall certainly trace up the beginning of my salvation, to the choosing grace of Christ.
- My song to all eternity will be that which fell from the lips of Jonah - Salvation is of the Lord. (Jonah 2:9)
Election is always to sanctification.
- Those whom Christ chooses out of mankind,
- He chooses not only that they may be saved,
- but that they may bear fruit, and fruit that can be seen.
- It was the faith and hope and love of the Thessalonians,
- which made Paul say, I know your election of God. (1 Thessalonians 1:4)
- Where there is no visible fruit of sanctification, I may be sure there is no election.
Armed with such principles as these,
- I have no cause to be afraid of the doctrine of election.
- Like any other truth of the Gospel, it is liable to be abused and perverted.
Adapted Excerpt From The Gospel of John by J.C. Ryle
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