GRACE GAZETTE
Volume XXIssue17
/Published occasionally for mourners in Zion/
/Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble
knees;And make straight pathsfor your feet, lest that which is lame
be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.Hebrews 12::12-13/
THE PROOF IS IN THE “PUTTING”//
/Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.I Thessalonians 1:4/
There is probably no greater quandary that occupies the minds of the
children of GOD from time to time, than to question themselves as to
whether they are indeed among the elect of GOD. It is usually a
quite unfulfilling query which leaves them with no more comfort at
the end than when they began this inquiry.Now the scriptures do
exhort the sons of GOD to make their “/calling and election sure/”
(see II Pet.1:10), and the man who is not concerned about the matter
does not understand that salvation is sovereignly dispensed by HIM
who says that “HE will show mercy to whom HE will show mercy.”At the
same time, the seeker after GOD, cannot know those “secret things”
which belong to the LORD and to expect that one can gaze upon the
LAMB’s book of life and read the names written there is folly.The
man who says that he knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is
included in that number is making claims that he cannot prove
regardless of his sincerity.
The sons of GOD are exhorted to be ever looking to CHRIST, to find
their “assurance” in HIM and not in their discovery of their
“election”.CHRIST is the SAVIOR of sinners.Many shall no doubt
perish who are certain of their “election”, but none shall perish
who have fled to CHRIST for REFUGE.Many shall perish who have
received assurances of their inclusion, from observing their own
deeds and obedience, from the lips of men who go about to offer such
assurances, or from their attachment to some religious order or
doctrinal scheme. But none shall ever be cast out who hate their own
garment spotted with the flesh and desire to be clothed upon with
the RIGHTEOUSNESS of CHRIST.
Knowing that the LORD has an “elect people” whom HE shall surely
save, is in itself, a great comfort to the man who has been
convinced by the SPIRIT of GOD, of his sin and depraved nature.If
there were no “election” of grace; then which among the fallen sons
of GOD could ever raise himself up from the dunghill of sins
degradation./“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not
one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh
after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together
become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”
(Rom 3:10-12/)
Paul said, /“For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not
hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope
for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.” (Rom
8:24-25/)Our HOPE is CHRIST.CHRIST born of a virgin without
sin.CHRIST walking in perfect obedience having been tempted in all
points even as we.CHRIST speaking TRUTH which cannot be overturned.
CHRIST praying for sinners in the Garden with sweat as it were great
drops of blood.CHRIST dying on Calvary’s cross to satisfy the claims
of the Law, against those who had broken HIS commandments.CHRIST
rising from the dead on the third day. CHRIST leading captivity
captive and giving gifts unto men. CHRIST ascending back to HIS
FATHER and seated upon that throne as the JUSTIFIER of them which
believe in HIM.CHRIST interceding before that throne, as the GREAT
HIGH PRIEST over the household of GOD, for those that come unto GOD
by HIM.CHRIST who shall so come in like manner as HIS disciples saw
HIM ascend on the Mount of Olives.“/So Christ was _once offered_ to
bear the sins of many; and _unto them that look for him_ shall he
appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” (Heb
9:28/)“/Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and
stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil.” (Heb 6:19/)
Paul writes to the Thessalonians, “recognizing” their “/election of
GOD”/. Paul was indeed taken up to that “third heaven” where he saw
and heard things which are unlawful (i.e.; not proper) to be
uttered. (see II Cor.12:4)Yet, even then, he could not look upon
that book which can only be opened and gazed upon by the LION of
tribe of Judah nor could he read there those whose names are
recorded by HIS eternal pen.So, when he writes of such, he is not
sharing some secret information which he is privy to, but rather is
making an observation wherein he perceives the peculiar work of the
SPIRIT of GOD in the children of GOD, and in no others.“/But 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:
Whereunto _he called you_ by our gospel, to the obtaining of the
glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (II Th 2:13-14/)
The election of the saints can more readily be observed by their
brethren than it can be by themselves.This is a good thing, lest
they should be lifted up with pride and a sense of security in
something other than their HOPE in CHRIST alone.But the election of
the saints is discernable by their brethren and serves as a great
source of encouragement to each other.The saints are stirred up to
FAITH by the mutual FAITH of one another, building one another up
and bearing one another’s burdens./“For I long to see you, that I
may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be
established; That is, that I may be comforted together with you by
the mutual faith both of you and me.” (Rom 1:11-12/)“/Who, when
he/(i.e.; Barnabas) /came, and _had seen the grace_ of God, was
glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would
cleave unto the Lord.” (Acts 11:23) “For I rejoiced greatly, when
the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even
as thou walkest in the truth. I have _no greater joy_ than to hear
that _my children walk in truth_.” (III John 1:3-4/)
Paul “knew” the election of these Thessalonians because he
“remembered” their “/work of FAITH/”.It could be opined that he had
reference to their “good works”, but I believe it is more accurate
to consider that he has reference to that “work of FAITH” which is
wrought in them by HIM who works all things together for good to
them who are the called according to HIS purpose.Does HE not “/work
in them both to will and to do of HIS good pleasure?/”Is not FAITH
the gift of GOD?/“For we are _his workmanship_, created in Christ
Jesus unto good works, which God _hath before ordained_/(i.e.;
predestinated) /that we should walk in them.” (Eph 2:10) /Can any
believe apart from this gift?
Paul “knew” their election because he saw their “/labor of
love/”.Religion can produce all sorts and extents of “labor”.Yet
only the SPIRIT of GOD can produce a “/labor of love/”.This is that
labor that seeks no recognition or reward and is entered into solely
for the praise of GOD./“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or
whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” (1Cor 10:31/)/“My
little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in
deed and in truth.” (1John 3:18/) /“Seeing ye have purified your
souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of
the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart
fervently.” (1Pet 1:22/)“/Many will say to me in that day, Lord,
Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast
out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will
I profess unto them, _I never knew you_: depart from me, ye that
work iniquity.” (Mat 7:22-23/)
Paul “knew” their election because he could see their “/patience of
HOPE/”.The LORD is faithful to keep HIS children from falling.HE
causes “patience” to have its perfect work in those whom HE loves
and calls.We see this “patience” declared by Peter /“Then said Jesus
unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered
him, Lord, to whom shall we go? _thou hast the words of eternal
life_. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the
Son of the living God.” (John 6:67-69)/“Come, humble sinner, in
whose breast, A thousand thoughts revolve, Come, with your guilt and
fear oppressed, And make this last resolve. Prostrate I’ll lie
before His throne, And there my guilt confess, I’ll tell Him, I’m a
wretch undone, Without His sovereign grace. Perhaps He will admit my
plea, Perhaps will hear my prayer; But, if I perish, I will pray,
And perish only there. I can but perish if I go; I am resolved to
try; But if I stay away, I know I must forever die. But, if I die
with mercy sought, When I the King have tried, This were to die
(delightful thought!) As sinner never died.” (by Edmund Jones,
1722-1765) May the LORD of electing grace make us to shine as lights
in a dark world by the “putting on of HIS grace” by the work of HIS
SPIRIT in us.mam