CAN YOU REJOICE IN ELECTING LOVE?

 

                Can you rejoice in electing love? Paul did. He said, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world" (Eph. 1:3-4). "We are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit.…and belief of the truth" (II Thess. 2:13). Can you rejoice in electing love? Peter did. He said, "Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light…Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father" (I Pet. 2:9; 1:2). Can you rejoice in electing love? David did. He leaped and danced before the ark of God, because God had chosen him above Saul. He said, "Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and sure: for this is all my salvation and all my desire" (II Sam. 23:5). Can you rejoice in electing love? Our Lord did. On the night before his crucifixion he taught his disciples the doctrine of election in very plain and clear terms, in order to comfort and encourage their hearts. He said, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of my Father in my name, he may give it you" (John 15:16). Yes, the Lord Jesus Christ gave thanks and rejoiced before God the Father for his gracious election of our souls to eternal salvation. He said, "I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes; even so Father, for it seemed good in thy sight" (Matt. 11:25-26). Surely, every true believer should be filled with praise and joy toward God when he hears the good news of God's electing love.