"Praising God For Your Election" (Eph. 1:11)

I have noticed that the third most looked at SD is entitled "The Method: Election."  In the Sunday school class that I teach I have been giving out devotions each week that are written by John MacArthur and they come from a book he wrote called "Drawing Near" and in this book there are 365 daily readings on a different subject for each day of the week, and they change each month as each month has a different subject.  For the month of January his subject comes from the first chapter of the book of Ephesians.  The devotional we read for today is the one I want to post on this page of my blog and it has to do with election, and as mentioned this subject has come up the third most of all the SD's that I have posted.

"

PRAISING GOD FOR YOUR ELECTION (132)

“Having been predestined according to [God’s] purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will” (Ephesians 1:11).

God took the initiative in salvation by choosing you and granting you saving faith.

            In Ephesians 1:4 Paul says that God “chose us in [Christ] before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him.”  In verse 11 he reiterates that marvelous truth by affirming that believers have been predestined to salvation according to God’s own purpose and will.

            Many reject the teaching that God chose (“predestined”) believers to salvation.  They think believers chose God.  In one sense they’re right.  Salvation involves an act of the will in turning from sin to embrace Christ.  But the issue in predestination goes deeper than that.  It’s a question of initiative.  Did God chose you on the basis of your faith in Him, or did He, by choosing you, enable you to respond in faith?

            The answer is clear in Scripture.  Romans 3:11 says that no one seeks for God on his own.  Unregenerate people have no capacity to understand spiritual truth; it’s all foolishness to them (1 Cor. 2:14).  They are spiritually dead (Eph. 2:1), blind (2 Cor. 4:4), and ignorant (Eph. 4:18).

            How can people in that condition initiate saving faith?  They can’t! That’s why Jesus said, “No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draws him…All that the Father gives Me shall come to Me; and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out” (John 6:44, 37).  Paul added, “God…has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity” (2 Tim. 1:8-9).

            God took the initiative.  He chose you and gave you saving faith (Eph. 2:8-9).  Rejoice in that truth.  Rest in His power to conform all things to His will.  Draw strength and assurance from His promise never to let you go (John 10:27-29).  Then live each day as God’s elected one by shunning sin and following after holiness.

Suggestions for Prayer:  Praise God for placing His love upon you and for granting you salvation.  Pray for the salvation of others, and seek opportunities to share Christ with them today.

For Further Study:  Read Ezekiel 36:22-32.  Why will God one day redeem Israel?  What does that passage teach you about God’s initiative in salvation?