Election

  • The Riches of Redemption

    Ephesians 1:7

    John Chrysostom remarks, “It is astonishing that he gave the Beloved for those who hated him… . If even when we hated him and were enemies he gave the Beloved, what will he not do for us now?” (Ancient Christian Commentary ...Read More

  • Chosen in Love

    Ephesians 1:5-6

    The wonder of divine election is not that God loves us because we are lovely but that He loves us even though there is nothing lovely in us. But in choosing us, He loves us in order to make us ...Read More

  • Chosen in Christ

    Ephesians 1:4

    John Calvin comments, “The name of Christ excludes all merit, and everything which men have of their own; for when he says that we are chosen in Christ, it follows that in ourselves we are unworthy.” May we never think ...Read More

  • The Golden Chain

    Romans 8

    That God decided to save His people gives us confidence that “neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be ...Read More

  • God’s Desire to Save

    1 Timothy 2:3-4

    Part of our imitation of Christ includes a desire that all people come to salvation. Too often we lack this desire because we have not considered how terrible hell will be and have not remembered often enough that eternal punishment ...Read More

  • Entering into Mystical Union

    Thank God for your salvation, His righteousness, and His atonement for your sins.Read More

  • The Purpose of the Parables

    Matthew 13:12–17

    We should marvel at God’s grace every time we recall that we have trusted Christ alone for our salvation. Before the Lord quickened us, we were dead in sin and had no desire at all to know or serve ...Read More

  • Grace for the Weary

    Matthew 11:25–30

    John Calvin writes that Christ does not elect us and redeem us that we may sin freely. Instead, Christians are “raised up by his grace, [that] they may also take his yoke upon them, and that, being free in spirit ...Read More

  • A Narrow Gate; a Hard Way

    Matthew 7:13–14

    Matthew Henry summarizes Jesus’ teaching in today’s passage: “We must endure hardship, must wrestle and be in agony, must watch in all things, and walk with care and circumspection. We must go through much tribulation.” Christ’s way is ...Read More

  • The Divine Initiative

    Ephesians 2:1–10

    If we use the doctrine of election as an excuse to do no evangelizing in the world, we have perverted the Word of God. No one but Paul more clearly explained the Lord’s gracious election, and no one was ...Read More

  • God and Unbelief

    Romans 9:9–18

    When God chooses someone for salvation, He does so in love, working directly in us, making Him the cause of our redemption (1 Peter 1:1–3). But in passing over the non-elect (reprobation), the Lord’s work is passive ...Read More

  • Man’s Radical Fallenness

    John 6:44

    “Regeneration precedes faith” summarizes biblical soteriology (the doctrine of salvation). Having one’s will transformed by the regenerative touch of the Holy Spirit, Jesus says, must come before anyone can enter the kingdom (John 3:3, 5). If you trust ...Read More

  • What is Free Will?

    Romans 7:19

    Paul describes in today’s passage that even those regenerated by the Spirit face a conflict of desires. If we believe in God’s promises, we have a new disposition, but sometimes our old sinful nature raises its ugly head ...Read More

  • God’s Sovereignty

    Exodus 33:19B

    Arminians must admit that if God provides a mere offer for salvation, there is a chance no one would ever believe and be saved. But this contradicts Scripture, for the Bible says the Messiah will see the successful results of ...Read More

  • A Received Doctrine

    Romans 8:29–30

    Regardless of the position we take on election, Dr. R.C. Sproul reminds us that the debate between Augustinianism and semi-Pelagianism is an intramural debate between Christians. Therefore, we must treat with respect and charity all those holding to the ...Read More