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III.
The Way to Christ
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Chapter
27
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Bible Election
1. WHAT does the apostle Peter admonish us to do?
"Wherefore . . . brethren, give diligence to make
your calling and election sure." 2 Peter 1:10.
NOTE.-
This text at once reveals the fact that our
salvation, so far as our own individual cases are
concerned, is dependent upon our own action. We are
elected to be save; but we are to give diligence to
make this election sure. If we do not, it
will not meet its purpose in our case, and we shall
be lost.
2. What admonition given by Christ teaches the same
truth?
"Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou
hast, that no man take thy crown." Rev. 3:11.
NOTE.-Crowns have been prepared for each of the
finally redeemed. Every soul is a candidate in the
race for eternal life, and hence for a crown. Faith
in Jesus, and perseverance to the end, will hold it
fast.
3. Upon what condition is the crown of life promised?
"Be thou
faithful unto death,
and I will
give thee a crown of life." Rev. 2:10.
4. In whom, and from what time, have we been chosen
unto holiness and salvation?
"According as He hath chosen us in Him [Christ]
before the foundation of the world." Eph. 1:4, first
part.
5. What is the character of those thus chosen before
the foundation of the world?
"That we should be holy and without blemish
before Him in love." Same verse, last part, R.V.
6. To what has God foreordained those who attain to
this character?
"Having foreordained us unto adoption as sons
through Jesus Christ unto Himself." Verse 5, R. V.
7. According to what does God call us?
"And we know that all things work together for good to
them that
love God, to them who are the called according to His
purpose." Rom. 8:28.
8. According to what have we been
predestinated?
"Being predestinated according to the
purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel
of His own will." Eph. 1:11.
9. How many does God desire to be saved?
"Who will have all men to be saved, and to come
unto the knowledge of the truth." 1 Tim. 2:4.
10. Upon what condition is salvation offered?
"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt
be saved." Acts 16:31.
11. For how long must this faith be preserved in
order to bring final salvation?
"He that shall endure unto the end, the same
shall be saved." Matt. 24:13. See James 1:12; Rev.
2:10.
12. What scripture is sometimes cited as evidence
that God is arbitrary in His dealings with men?
"Therefore hath He mercy on whom He will have
mercy, and whom He will He hardeneth." Rom. 9:18.
13. But what other scripture shows with whom God
wills to be merciful, and with whom otherwise?
"With the merciful Thou wilt show Thyself
merciful; with an upright man Thou wilt show
Thyself upright; with the pure Thou wilt
show Thyself pure; and with the froward
Thou wilt show Thyself froward." Ps. 18:25,26.
See also Isa. 55:7.
NOTE.-
God wills that men shall be saved. He has
foreordained the characters that will entitle men to
salvation, but He does not compel anyone to
receive Christ, possess this character, and be
saved. This is a matter of individual choice. By His
mighty acts and judgments in Egypt, God "hardened
Pharaoh's heart." Ex. 7:3,13,22. But the same
manifestations softened the hearts of others.
The difference was in the hearts, and in the
way God's message and dealings were received; not in
God. The same sun which melts the wax hardens the
clay. Ex. 8:32 says that Pharaoh hardened his own
heart.
14. What, on man's part, is essential to salvation?
"Choose ye this day whom ye will serve." Joshua
24:15. "If any man willeth to do His will, he
shall know of the teaching." John 7:17, R.V.
"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be
saved." Acts 16:31. "Whosoever will, let him
take the water of life freely." Rev. 22:17.
NOTE.-
A man once wished to join a certain church, but said
he could not do so on account of the views this
church held on the subject of "election." The
minister to whom he was sent for help and
enlightenment, failing to make the matter clear, an
old colored man, a layman, came to the rescue, and
said: "Brother, this is the very easiest thing in
the church. You see, it is like this: The votin' is
goin' on all the time; and God, He is votin' for
you; and the devil, he is votin' agin you; and
whichever way you vote, that is the way the
election goes." Commenting upon this
incident, Rev. Wilbur Chapman, the noted evangelist,
says: "I have studied theology some myself, and
graduated at a theological seminary; but I never got
anything quite so good as that."
15. In what fact may every
believer rejoice?
"But rejoice that your names are written
in heaven." Luke 10:20, R.V.
16. Whose names are to be retained
in the book of life?
"He that overcometh, . . . I will not
blot out his name
out of the
book of life." Rev. 3:5.
O, HAPPY
day! that fixed my choice
On Thee, My Saviour and my God;
Well may this glowing heart rejoice,
And tell its raptures all abroad.
'Tis done,
the great transaction's done;
I am my Lord's and he is mine;
He drew me, and I followed on,
Charmed to confess the voice divine.
Now rest,
my long-divided heart,
Fixed on this blissful center rest;
Nor ever from thy Lord depart,
With Him of every good possessed.
PHILIP DODDRIDGE.
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