By thomasrcoffeePosted on Posted in UncategorizedNo Comments on THE BIBLE DOCTRINE OF ELECTION C. D. Cole
Part 2
General Remarks to Disarm Prejudice
There is no doctrine so grossly misrepresented. Brother A.S.
Pettie’s complaint against the enemies of total depravity is
equally applicable here, when he says, “From hostile lips a fair
and correct statement of the doctrine is never heard”. The
treatment that the doctrine of election receives from the hands
of its enemies is very much like that received by the primitive
Christians from pagan Roman Emperors. The ancient
Christians were often clothed in the skins of slain animals and
then subjected to attack by ferocious wild beasts. So the
doctrine of election is clothed in an ugly garb and held up to
ridicule and sport. We will now try to strip this glorious truth of
its false and vicious garment with which enemy hands have
robed it, and put upon it the garments of holiness and wisdom.
1. Election is not salvation but is unto salvation. “What then?
Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the
election (elect) hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded”
(Rom. 11:7). “God hath from the beginning chosen you to
salvation” (II Thess 2:13). Now then, if the elect obtain
salvation, and if election is to salvation, election must precede
salvation. Men are saved when they believe on Christ not
when they are elected. Roosevelt was not president when he
was elected, but when he was inaugurated. There was not
only an election to, but an induction into the office. God’s elect
are inducted into the position of saintship by the effectual call,
(the quickening work of the Holy Spirit) through which they
become believers in the Gospel. See: I Cor. 1:29; II Thess
2:13,14
2. Election is not the cause of anybody going to hell, for
election is unto salvation. Neither is non-election responsible
for the damnation of sinners. SIN is the thing that sends men
to hell, and all men are sinners by nature and practice–sinners
altogether apart from election and non-election. It does not
follow that because election is unto salvation that non-election
is unto damnation. SIN is the damning element in human life.
ELECTION HARMS NOBODY.
3. Election belongs to the system of grace. In Paul’s day there
was a remnant among the Jews who were saved according to
the election of grace (Rom. 11:5). The attitude of men towards
election is the acid test of their belief in grace. Those who
oppose election cannot consistently claim to believe in
salvation by grace. This is seen in the creeds of Christendom.
Those denominations that believe in salvation by works have
no place for the doctrine of election in their confessions of
faith; those that believe in salvation by grace, apart from
human merit, have not failed to include election in their written
creed. One group is headed by the Roman Catholics, the
other group is headed by the Baptists.
“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 C. D. Cole
Post Views: 284