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Part 4
Some False Views Examined and
Refuted
Many professing Christians really have no view of election.
They have not given it enough thought and study to even
have any opinion about it. Many have erroneous views. We
shall notice some of them.
1. The view that men are elected when they believe–This view
is easily refuted for it is contrary to both common sense and
Scripture. Election is to salvation, and therefore, must precede
salvation. It is nonsense to talk about electing a man to
something he already has. The man has salvation when he
believes and hence election at that point would not be
necessary. ELECTION TOOK PLACE IN ETERNITY;
SALVATION TAKES PLACE WHEN THE SINNER
BELIEVES.
2. The view that election pertains only to the Jews–This view
robs Gentiles of the comfort of (Rom. 8:28-29) Moreover,
Paul, who was an apostle to the Gentiles, says that he
endured all things for the elect’s sakes that they might obtain
salvation. (II Tim 2:10)
3. The view that election took place in eternity, but that it was
in view of foreseen repentance and faith. According to this
view, God, in eternity, looked down through the ages and saw
who would repent and believe and those who He foresaw
would repent and believe were elected to salvation. This view
is correct in only one point, namely, that election took place in
eternity. It is wrong in that it makes the ground of election to
be something in the sinner rather than something in God.
Read Eph 1:4-6 where election and predestination are said to
be “According to the good pleasure of His will” and “To the
praise of the glory of His grace”. This view thought the popular
one with the majority of Baptists today, is open to many
objections.
3a) It denies what the Bible says about man’s condition by
nature. The Bible does not describe the natural man as having
faith. (1 Cor. 2:14; John 3:3) Both repentance and faith are
gifts of God, and God did not see these graces in any sinner
apart from His purpose to give them. “Him hath God exalted
with His right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give
repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins”, Acts 5:31
“When they heard these things they held their peace, and
glorified God, saying, `Then hath God also to the Gentiles
granted repentance unto life'”, Acts 11:18. “In meekness
instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure
will give them repentance to the acknowledgement of the
truth” (II Tim. 2:25. See also: Eph 2:8-10; 1 Cor. 3:5). Election
was not because of foreseen faith, but because of foreseen
unbelief. It is not the election of God’s faithful ones, but the
faith of God’s elect, if we are to keep Scriptural words. Titus
1:1
3b) It makes the human race differ by nature, whereas, the
Bible says, we are all by nature the children of wrath and all
clay of the same lump. (Eph 2:3; Rom. 9:21) Men are made to
differ in the new birth. John 3:6
3c) It perverts the Scriptural meaning of the word
“foreknowledge”. The word as used in the Bible means more
than foreknowledge about persons, it is the foreknowledge of
persons. In Rom. 8:29,30, the foreknown are predestined to
the image of Christ, and are called, justified and glorified. In I
Peter 1:2, the word for “foreknowledge” is the same as
“foreordain” in the twentieth verse of the same chapter, where
the meaning cannot be “foreknowledge” about Christ. God’s
foreknowledge about persons is without limitations; whereas,
His foreknowledge of persons is limited to those who are
actually saved and glorified.
3d) It is open to the strongest objection that can be made
against the Bible view. It is often asked, “If certain men are
elected and saved, then what is the use to preach to those
who are not elected?” With equal propriety we might ask, “If
God knows who is going to repent and believe, then why
preach to those who according to His foreknowledge, will not
repent and believe?” Will some repent and believe whom He
foreknew would not repent and believe? If so, He foreknew a
lie.
Right here is the weakness of much of modern missions. It is
based upon sympathy for the lost rather than obedience to
God’s command. The inspiration of missions is made to rest
upon the practical results of missionary endeavour rather than
upon the delight of doing God’s will. It is the principle of doing
a thing because the results are satisfactory to us.
If we are faithful, God is as pleased with our efforts as when
there are no results. Ponder II Cor, 2:15,16 The elect prior to
their conversion are known only to God. We are to preach the
gospel to every creature because He has commanded it. He
will take care of the results. Compare with: (Isa 55:11; I Cor.
3:5,6 John 6:37-45 It is ours to witness; it is His to make our
witnessing effective.
“Only one life to live and soon is past
Only what’s done for Christ will last!”
Hoping to make the time I have left count for the glory of God.
The Bible Doctrine of Election by C. D. Cole
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