God’s Sovereign Election (revised)

 

God’s Sovereign Choice in Salvation

The Divine Initiative in Faith

Scripture reveals that belief in Jesus is not something we produce ourselves; it is a work that God begins. After all, He is the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). Jesus and the New Testament writers agree that God’s Holy Spirit first moves in a person’s heart, making faith possible. God’s prerogative to work in a heart is part of His elective sovereignty, by which He overcomes a sinner’s resistance to the gospel with such grace that the sinner now runs to embrace the gospel, Jesus, and salvation. Nearly every New Testament book references this doctrine, with only a few—such as Philemon, 2 John, and 3 John—lacking an explicit mention. Although election may seem objectionable, without it, we miss the profound depth of God’s grace and mercy.

Faith as God’s Gift

Consider Ephesians 2:8: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” Faith is a divine gift, not something we generate. Jesus reinforces this in John 6:44: “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him”—a drawing in which His Spirit, as noted earlier, prepares our hearts to desire Jesus. On our own, as Romans 3:11 says, “No one seeks for God.” Spiritually dead in our natural state, we are, as Ephesians 2:5 confirms, “made alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.” Without God’s drawing, we are incapable of seeking or choosing Him.

God’s Mercy and Sovereignty in Election

Paul addresses potential objections to this doctrine in Romans 9:14–16, showing that God’s choice does not rely on human will or effort “but on God, who has mercy.” His mercy is His to give without obligation. This is why Jesus says, “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me” (John 6:37), establishing that those God has chosen will respond to His call. John 15:16 further supports this when Jesus says: “You did not choose Me, but I chose you.”

Faith as God’s Appointment

Acts 13:48 states, “As many as were appointed to eternal life believed.” Here, belief follows God’s appointment, not human choice. Faith is not from natural inclination but is God’s gift to those He has elected.

The Humbling Nature of Election

This doctrine humbles us, removing any basis for self-glory. To claim that we “chose” Jesus implies a boast in our own spiritual insight above others. Yet 1 Corinthians 2:14 reminds us, “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.” Salvation is God’s work alone—monergistic—leaving no room for human pride.

A Call to Gratitude and Humility

Understanding this truth leads us to marvel at God’s mercy. He draws us, changes our hearts, and grants us the faith to come to Christ. As Spurgeon said, “My trouble is not that God hated Esau but that He could love Jacob.” If you believe in Jesus, you are God’s elect. Salvation is in God’s hands alone, calling for our gratitude and humility.

Soli Deo Gloria—To God alone be the glory.

© 2024 George Dunn

JESUS RANKS FIRST PLACE

Jesus ranks first place!

In all these scriptures below, Jesus is identified as the first born Son. That doesn’t mean He was created. It means that in ancient Israeli understanding, positionally He ranked as first place and most important in the family of God. 

There is no One like Jesus. 

Jesus is King above all kings. 

(Psalms 89:27

I will also make him my firstborn,

greatest of the kings of the earth.)

Jesus is the preeminent head, beginning and firstborn, surpassing all others, of the body of His people. 

(Colossians 1:18

He is also the head of the body, the church;

he is the beginning,

the firstborn from the dead,

so that he might come to have

first place in everything.)

Jesus is truly God and truly man, Vera Deus and Vera Homo, the image of the invisible God. Knowing Jesus and His character, is knowing God. 

(Colossians 1:15

He is the image of the invisible God,

the firstborn over all creation.)

Jesus is the express image of the Father God. And God is conforming His people to the image of His Son Jesus. 

(Hebrews 1:3

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact expression of his nature, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

Romans 8:29

For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.)

Jesus is our appointed and anointed leader. Hebrews 2:10

(Hebrews 2:10

For in bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was entirely appropriate that God — for whom and through whom all things exist — should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings.)

Jesus is the uncreated One and the reason everything in and of creation doesn’t immediately fall apart into chaos and destruction. (Colossians 1:17

He is before all things,

and by him all things hold together.)

 ~ George Dunn

Blessed Be The Name of The Lord

Some of us have lost all of our work and income over the C19 shutdown. Ouch! Here’s where I am today.

“...Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord hath given, and the Lord hath taken it: blessed be the Name of the Lord.“ Job 1:21 (1599 Geneva Bible)

I believe if we do our best to resign and accept the divine will of our Lord, the process of burning the waste away and refining us as gold, will lead us to blessing His Holy Name. We worship the Giver and not the earthly gifts that were never ours to begin with, which we surely can’t take with us into eternity. The gifts aren’t ours, the Giver is ours!
That’s where, when and how we shine brightest and He is glorified.

“Some of the rarest pearls have been found in the deepest waters, and some of the choicest utterances of believers have come when God’s waves and billows have been made to roll over them.”
Charles Spurgeon

Shove Your Religion Down My Throat

Wow!!! Because someone wrote on a Facebook post, that Jesus didn’t exist...I had to reply that He did...this person asked for evidence and proof... I first cited the self-attesting Gospels, but secondarily also offered evidence outside the Bible such as Tacitus and Josephus’s writings.

I was factual and not insulting... my words were intentionally measured and careful. When this person responded in disagreement, I googled this person’s first sentence, and found that it was an internet article written against these historical writers, and found it was a flimsy hit-piece to keep readers secure in their unbelief.

When I pointed out that this person’s sentences were lifted directly from the article, I was accused of rude and hateful conversation and trying to, as charged “shove your religion down my throat”. (What an exhausted talking point)!

This person’s slanderous response is because I exposed what he/she had done (busted)! But ultimately all of this is because... Jesus is thee most powerful name in all of history... For those who love or hate Him. He was crucified. I must remember Jesus said, “A servant is not greater than His Master.”

Presuppositions

God changed my presuppositions!

— George Dunn (@GCDunn) January 1, 2012

Tastefully Speaking

Be sure your speech is tastefully seasoned, you may have to eat your words.

— George Dunn (@GCDunn) May 1, 2016

A Tennessee Worship Leader