LIBERATED
Today we tackle the election argument. Now I will not be going through line by line of the idea but rather will identify the foundation of where this group comes from. Please read Romans 8:28-9:24. Here we see first hand Paul making several statements about God working in the lives of individuals, calling them to Him. We even see Paul identify the argument by some regarding, Romans 9:18-23 “So you see, God chooses to show mercy to some, and he chooses to harden the hearts of others so they refuse to listen. 19 Well then, you might say, “Why does God blame people for not responding? Haven’t they simply done what he makes them do?” 20 No, don’t say that. Who are you, a mere human being, to argue with God? Should the thing that was created say to the one who created it, “Why have you made me like this?” 21 When a potter makes jars out of clay, doesn’t he have a right to use the same lump of clay to make one jar for decoration and another to throw garbage into? 22 In the same way, even though God has the right to show his anger and his power, he is very patient with those on whom his anger falls, who are destined for destruction. 23 He does this to make the riches of his glory shine even brighter on those to whom he shows mercy, who were prepared in advance for glory.”
What does this mean to you and I? It means that Paul is talking in the perspective of God in His role outside of time. God clearly knows all and sees the beginning to the end. Any argument against that is plainly ignorant of the Holy Scripture. Now what does this mean about free will? Does this argument negate free will? We will discuss that next week. Does this mean that one person is better than another? Certainly not for man is guilty of all sin, James 2:10 “For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws.” This alone should quicken our spirit to humility and recognize that God is in charge and if a person is saved it is not by any merit of their own accord. This thought is not something new plaguing the church. The Calvinist movement has only adopted something Paul had to confront in his ministry many years ago. Romans 11:17-24 “And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, 18 do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, [remember that] you do not support the root, but the root [supports] you. 19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.” 20 Well [said.] Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. 22 Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in [His] goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off. 23 And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 24 For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, who [are] natural [branches,] be grafted into their own olive tree?”
We must be wise as serpents and utilize discernment with every word and syllable. So does this mean Calvinism is correct? There are parts that hold merrit. Does this mean we are Calvinist, certainly not! Some might argue I have oversimplified the arguments; but I believe when examined at its atomic level, Calvinism has merit in recognizing God is outside of time and indeed knows the beginning to the end. He knows who will accept Him and who will not prior to them even being created. Next week we will examine free will and see if there is Biblical merit for such a claim.
Hold until relieved, our Blessed Hope is coming,
JL