The High Doctrine of Election

As Reformation month is about to end (and I’m going to resume my study on the kings of Israel and Judah), I’m going to give my thoughts on Charles H. Spurgeon’s October 28 morning devotional. The key verse is John 15:19. The doctrine of election can be a cause of division. Many times, I don’t really mind about Calvinism vs. non-Calvinism. The issue is always on the doctrine of regeneration. Spurgeon’s morning devotional today goes like this:

Here is distinguishing grace and discriminating regard; for some are made the special objects of divine affection. Do not be afraid to dwell upon this high doctrine of election. When your mind is most heavy and depressed, you will find it to be a bottle of richest cordial. Those who doubt the doctrines of grace, or who cast them into the shade, miss the richest clusters of Eshcol; they lose the wines on the lees well refined, the fat things full of marrow. There is no balm in Gilead comparable to it. If the honey in Jonathan’s wood when but touched enlightened the eyes, this is honey which will enlighten your heart to love and learn the mysteries of the kingdom of God. Eat, and fear not a surfeit; live upon this choice dainty, and fear not that it will be too delicate a diet. Meat from the King’s table will hurt none of his courtiers. Desire to have your mind enlarged, that you may comprehend more and more the eternal, everlasting, discriminating love of God. When you have mounted as high as election, tarry on its sister mount, the covenant of grace. Covenant engagements are the munitions of stupendous rock behind which we lie entrenched; covenant engagements with the surety, Christ Jesus, are the quiet resting-places of trembling spirits.

“His oath, his covenant, his blood,
Support me in the raging flood;
When every earthly prop gives way,
This still is all my strength and stay.”

If Jesus undertook to bring me to glory, and if the Father promised that he would give me to the Son to be a part of the infinite reward of the travail of his soul; then, my soul, till God himself shall be unfaithful, till Jesus shall cease to be the truth, thou art safe. When David danced before the ark, he told Michal that election made him do so. Come, my soul, exult before the God of grace and leap for joy of heart.

The doctrine of election is really hard to understand and accept. These doctrines of grace are very hard to believe. Yes, the Gospel is hard to believe because people are born sinners one way or another. The Gospel of grace isn’t easy to accept because it defeats the world’s viewpoint. It’s very easy to say and agree with non-Reformed brothers and sisters in Christ that the person who’s part of the elect is the person who selects Christ. But people would never choose God if God never chose them first. The whole doctrine of election is all about God’s sovereign choice.

John 15:16 says the following which I’ll quote from the KJV:

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 the Father in My name, He may give it you.

It’s very hard to understand the doctrine. The song “Why Have You Chosen Me” would further be humbling. Just imagine that God would choose the worst of sinners to clean them up. The changed life is also by the grace of God.