"Sovereign Grace & the Glorious Mystery of Election"

Nothing like opening a can of worms on this beautiful Tuesday!

So... I just finished reading a short booklet produced by Sovereign Grace Ministries called, "Sovereign Grace & the Glorious Mystery of Election" by CJ Mahaney. It is one in the "Perspectives" series: "Reflections on Doctrine & Practice in the Local Church." I found it incredibly encouraging & insightful.

First, I don't presume that anyone can understand the full mind of God. I am only offering insight into something that has made a major impact upon me personally; my view of God has drastically increased & my view of self is slowly diminishing.

As CJ states, "as soon as we encounter it (election), we must all acknowledge we that we are in way over our heads." For those unfamiliar with the doctrine of election, the issue that needs clarification is how to reconcile the role of God's sovereignty with human responsibility in salvation.

There are many reasons why this doctrine is important. Without going into too much detail, I will explain how I was brought to my conclusion. For my first several years after conversion, I was convinced that I played a major role in my coming to faith in Jesus Christ. Essentially, I believed that I chose to follow Christ based upon my excellent ability to make the wise choice. The fruit of this was pride & a spirit of superiority in my life. And why not? Clearly, those who are 'saved' are superior & make wise decisions... hmmm. Wrong!

As I have grown in understanding of who God is, I have been humbled by my depravity & lack of discipline to be morally, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, & physically perfect. My pride has taken a hit! I now better understand that I am quite insignificant in the grand scheme of things. There is no room for arrogance in the Gospel.

I began to grapple with my role in salvation a few years ago. I wondered to myself, "Christians say we are saved by grace through faith & that not of ourselves, it is the gift of God (see Ephesians 2)." But there is an awfully large amount of emphasis put on 'making a decision,' 'getting right with God,' & etc. I think I realized that many of us would say we are saved through faith but not realize the source of our faith, God. Because, if it were our faith (or our prayer or realization), that too would be a 'work.' Yet, I have heard countless times taught by well-meaning teachers a theology of salvation through works.

And the terminology throughout Scripture clarifies that we are 'dead in sin.' I don't think that dead people can make themselves alive. Further, I don't know of any who can make themselves 'born again.' And we know that no one can come unto the Father except by the Holy Spirit's drawing. As you can see, my view of self in salvation is diminishing. I began to realize that the theological roads I was traveling eventually led to unbiblical thought. For example, I concluded that Christ's atoning work on the cross was sufficient for all mankind, but clearly it wasn't efficient for all man. It is only efficient for those who trust & believe. Otherwise, we would be universalists.

I am quite certain that if Christ had not chosen me, I wouldn't have chosen Him. I am reminded, "there are none who seek God, no not one." I imagine this is tough for those who grew up in the church who have always been around 'the things of God.' But, I need reminding too, in my sin I was "actively & arrogantly hostile & opposed" to God.

All this to say... I had no merit in my salvation.

One of the pastors (Matthew Lindsey) at my church taught on the doctrine of election the other day in a small group. I think his illustration was wise:
Every month, he takes each individual daughter out on a daddy/daughter date. He always knows where the date is going to end... with ice cream! After dinner, he asks his daughter, "What do you want to do now?" Without hesitation she responds as usual, "Let's get ice cream." So... they head over to get ice cream. Without fail, his daughter always gets her favorite flavor & all is well & good. But... what his daughter doesn't know is that he has already made provisions for the entire date night. He planned the restaurant, the ice cream, etc. He worked the job that paid for the date, arranged the child care so they could go out, made sure the restaurant & ice cream shop were open, etc. Yet, the daughter thinks it was her idea to have ice cream! She doesn't realize all of the details that go into arranging for her to have ice cream. All she knows is that she loves the ice cream that her daddy gets her.

Don't you sometimes think that this is how God calls us to faith? I find great assurance that "He chose us in him before the foundation of the world." Friends, I imagine that there is so much behind the scenes that led me to initial faith in Christ; it produces an awe in me! "God intentially designed salvation so that no man could boast of it... he planned it so that boasting would be absolutely excluded," says Mark Webb.

To ask the question, "who is God's elect" is to miss the point. Mahaney states, "Election is an after-the-experience explanation of your conversion." It should produce in us a holy gratefulness & worship to/of God. "Knowing that our salvation was fundamentally accomplished by God rather than ourselves," says Mahaney, "fuels our confidence & builds our faith to see others regenerated."

I would hope that this brief snippet would prove insightful to some. I am not trying to sell my perspective or view but simply testify of what I personally believe the Lord Jesus has taught me. Therefore, I welcome your comments, insight, rebuttal, etc. My high view of self is constantly being challenged & I am thankful. Thank God for His being infinitely more glorious than I imagnine!