“For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you.” (1 Thessalonians 1:4 (ESV)
I received Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord in October, 1974. That Sunday evening event occurred after two years of hearing the Gospel from co-workers and friends throughout high school and college. My decision to receive Christ that evening was precipitated by a statement the pastor, who eventually became a dear friend and mentor, made from the pulpit. He said, “If you were to die tonight, where would you spend eternity: heaven or hell?”
That comment rocked my mind, emotions and will. In other words, my soul. When I arrived back at my parent’s home, I tried to go to sleep in my room, but sleep wouldn’t come. I finally got up, knelt beside my bed and asked Jesus to forgive me of my sins, and save my soul. I prayed that prayer several times, in order to be certain, the Lord heard me.
He certainly answered my prayer. God filled me with an incredible peace and I went sound to sleep with the joy of the Lord. I came to know someone who loved me enough to die on the cross for me.
In my testimony of conversion, look at the personal pronouns I used. They are predominately “I.” I received Christ. I arrived at my parent’s home. I tried to go to sleep. I finally got up from my bed. I knelt beside my bed. I prayed. I came to know.
Little did I know and understand what occurred that evening in my upstairs bedroom, God had determined before He created the world (Eph. 1:4). This is because He chose me by grace alone, through faith alone, in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone to become His child before the foundations of the world.
The late Dr. R. C. Sproul became an impactful Bible teacher in my life. Through his radio ministry Renewing Your Mind, his many books, and the Ligonier National Conferences, God used him to help me grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18).
One statement, of many Dr. Sproul made, resonates with me to this day. It impacts every blog I write, every sermon I preach and every Bible lesson I teach. I remind myself of it every day. He wrote the following:
YOU ARE REQUIRED TO BELIEVE, TO PREACH, AND TO TEACH WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS IS TRUE, NOT WHAT YOU WANT THE BIBLE TO SAY IS TRUE.
Of all the doctrines contained in the Scriptures, the one arguably generating the most debate within the church is the doctrine of election, and its complimentary terms “chosen” and “predestination.” One of the reasons I not only accept, but also love this biblical doctrine, is because humans would never have originated such a dogma. It is counterintuitive to our thinking. It also infuriates many believers in Christ with the notion of it not being fair and God perceived as capricious or impulsive.
“Am I one of God’s elect, one of those chosen by the Lord to inherit eternal life? Many of us have asked that question at one time or another. Some of us have even agonized for months or years to answer the question. Some of us may even be asking this question as we read this daily study,” explains one commentator.
“Without denying the real struggle that many people experience with this question, discovering the answer is not as hard as one might think. We know that we are among God’s elect if we believe the gospel and see that the Holy Spirit is at work in our lives.”
The reason Paul knew God had chosen the Thessalonians unto salvation was because of their work of faith, labor of love and steadfastness of hope in the Lord Jesus Christ (I Thess. 1:3). Their faith, love and hope in Jesus was evidence of their election (Eph. 2:8-10; James 2:14-26) and not the means unto election. Salvation is always by God’s sovereign grace alone, through God-given faith alone, in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone.
“Divine election is a theme of both Thessalonian epistles (I Thess. 5:9; 2 Thess. 2:13). Paul is not afraid to assure this young, predominately Gentile congregation that they were elected by God. Paul sees in them the fruit of God’s electing grace, manifested in their response to the preaching of the gospel and their early progress in sanctification,” explains Dr. Sproul.
The word “chosen” (ἐκλογὴν; eklogen) is actually a noun phrase in the Greek. It can be translated “chosen ones.” Believers are the chosen ones solely of God. God’s choice of saving the elect originated within Himself and was not prompted by any foreseen act by anyone other than God Himself.
“In the final analysis, the reason for the joy and gratitude which fill the hearts of the missionaries is the fact that they know that (speaking by and large) the members of the Thessalonian church are God’s chosen ones. Paul, Silas, and Timothy actually know this. They know (knowing εἰδοτες, is the participle used) it because the facts speak so clearly that the conclusion is inevitable, direct, immediate,” states Dr. William Hendriksen.
“This passage is a most forceful repudiation of the position of those who say that one can never really know whether he or whether anybody else is included in God’s eternal decree of election. The missionaries had become acquainted with the readers in the recent past. After a very brief stay among them, they had been forced to move on. Nevertheless, they do not hesitate to state, “The ultimate reason why thanksgiving fills our hearts is that we know that you were chosen (from eternity).”
John Calvin comments, “The election of God, which is in itself hid, is manifested by its marks—when he gathers to himself the lost sheep and joins them to his flock, and holds out his hand to those that were wandering and estranged from him.”
All who believe the gospel of Jesus Christ and show evidence of spiritual life can be assured God has chosen for unto salvation and they will inherit eternal life.
May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
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