GRACE FOR TODAY Radio Message #418
WHO ARE THE ELECT?
Pastor
Don Fortner
Grace Baptist Church of Danville
2734 Old Stanford Road
Danville,
Kentucky 40422-9438
Everyone who reads the Bible, even casually,
knows that it teaches the doctrine of election. All God’s saints rejoice in
that doctrine. Nothing sounds sweeter in the believer’s ear than the voice of
the Son of God saying, “Ye have not
chosen me, but I have chosen you.”
Yet, no mere man can open
and read the Lamb’s Book of life. No mortal can ever know who the elect are
until they are regenerated and called by God the Holy Spirit. However, each of
us can prove our own selves. We can make our calling and election sure.
In 1 Thessalonians, the
Apostle Paul, writing by Divine inspiration, tells us that he knew those men
and women in the Church at Thessalonica were elect, chosen of God, and precious
by five distinct marks of grace upon them. If you are one of God’s elect, these
five marks are upon you. If I am one of the elect, these marks are upon me.
Who are God’s elect? Look
into the Word of God, and you will see. There is no need for guess work about
this matter. The Holy Spirit shows us five evidences of God’s election in 1
Thessalonians chapter one.
1. God’s elect are people who hear the gospel preached and receive the
gospel as it is preached in the power of God the Holy Spirit (v.5). The elect are those who are called by
the effectual, irresistible power and grace of God the Holy Spirit. They are
called by the Spirit through the preaching of the gospel (Rom. 1:15-17;
10:13-17; 1 Cor. 1:21-23; 15:1-3; Heb. 4:12; James 1:18; 1 Pet. 1:23-25). God
does not save sinners by the sound of chirping birds, or by the babbling
heresies of Arminian, free-will, works religion. God saves his chosen through
the preaching of the gospel of his free and sovereign grace in Christ.
2. God’s elect are those who follow Christ (vv.
3, 6). Chosen sinners, when saved by the grace of God, are made disciples,
followers of Christ, voluntary servants of King Jesus. Believers are not
perfect, and never pretend to be. They know something of the corruption of
their own hearts. Yet, in the tenor of their lives, those who are born of God
follow Christ.
3. God’s elect are a people who are committed
to Christ and the gospel of his grace (v.8). As the saints at Thessalonica
sounded out the gospel to perishing sinners in their generation, so God’s
saints today make it their business to make the gospel known for the glory of
God.
4. God’s elect experience repentance and conversion
by the power of his grace. They turn from their idols to serve the living
God (v.9). Believers forsake their idols and the idolatrous religious practices
of their former manner of life. They will not be found worshipping a false god.
You will not find a child of God kneeling before a pagan deity, kissing a
crucifix, or professing faith in a helpless, frustrated god whose purpose,
will, and work are prevented by man’s imaginary free-will!
5. God’s elect are waiting for Christ (v.10).
Believers live upon the tiptoe of faith, looking for that blessed hope, the
glorious appearing of the great God, our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Believing his Word, we live in hope and expectation of the resurrection. Every
child of God rejoices in God’s electing love. We rejoice, like the hymn writer,
to say…
“Tis not that
I did choose Thee,
For, Lord,
that could not be.
This heart
would still refuse Thee,
Hadst Thou not
chosen me.
My heart owns
none before Thee,
For Thy rich
grace I thirst,
This knowing -
If I love Thee,
Thou must have
loved me first!”
AMEN.