ELECTION
By William Heinrich
Martin
Luther said the doctrine of election was the
"heart of the church." Few doctrines of Scripture divide
people more than unconditional election. Why if it is so
divisive do we bother with it at all? What difference
does it make?
Election must be taught if the whole counsel of God is
taught. The minister is called to preach the Word in
season and out of season. If truth is ignored in one
place it will soon be ignored in other places. If
believers are "of the truth" they but believe and exalt
truth. Election puts to rest all humanistic teaching that
God's sovereignty is limited by human free will It is God
who is sovereign, not man. All human freedom is
limited by God's sovereignty It is God that chose some
before He made any. It is God that draws those He has
chosen as a gift for His Son. It is God that convicts and
regenerates. God is sovereign, not man.
Election is a first and final blow against human pride
and human merit. Election magnifies God's grace and
removes all boasting. Salvation becomes a gift from
God apart from any human merit or action. Now with
election properly understood, true worship springs forth
in unreserved gratitude abundant praise and zealous
service to the One who sovereignly chose us.