PREACHING ELECTION

Some feel the need to make sure all know that “election is not salvation.” God will have all know that there is no salvation apart from it! There is no salvation without election because election is inseparably joined to the Savior, Jesus Christ! “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world…” ( Eph. 1:3,4) Election was an act of God’s love for His people. “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation… “ (2 Thess. 2:13) Election shows us we have no reason or right to boast in ourselves because salvation is all of grace. “(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)” (Rom. 9:11) Election is something that God does. “Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.” (1 Thess. 1:4) Election encourages those who presently are sent of God to preach the gospel. “Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.” (Romans 11:5) If we preach Christ, we must preach election! “Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth;..” (Isa. 42:1)

Gary Shepard

Comparison of Faith From Merit and Faith from Grace

Faith from merit is not the faith of God's elect, Titus 1:1, for it is not the gift of God. Faith from merit is that faith generated by the wisdom of man, as he views the several contingencies before him and makes correct choice between alternate possible paths. It comes from a self determinate will, its source is the self sufficiency of man. This sort of faith will do for the religious moralist, (until the judgment or trials come), but certainly will not suffice the children of God!

Faith from grace is the free gift of God to his well beloved children. It is through the finished work of our Lord Jesus Christ and by the Holy Spirit. This integral part of the inheritance of the saints in light was purposed to the children of promise before the world began and sealed to them by the blood of the covenant at Mount Calvary. Of which sort is your Faith?

Allan J. Ison

"Come unto Me, all you who are weary and heavy laden—and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

What did our Lord here signify, when He bade all the weary and heavy laden to come unto Him?

It is quite evident that coming to Christ is something more than a physical act. Coming to Christ in the sense He here invited, is a going out of the soul after Him, a desire for Him, a seeking after Him, a personal embracing of and trusting in Him. It is the heart turning from the love of sin—to the love of holiness; from SELF—to the Savior!

A saving coming to Christ denotes a turning our backs upon the world—and turning our hearts unto Him as our only Hope and Portion. It is the abandoning of every idol—and the surrendering of ourselves to His Lordship. It is the repudiation of our own righteousness and every dependency, and the heart going out to Him in loving submission and trustful confidence. It is the entire going out of SELF with all its resolutions and performances, to cast ourselves upon His grace and mercy. It is the will yielding itself up to His authority to be molded by Him, and to follow Him wherever He may lead.

In short, coming to Christ is the whole soul of a guilty and self-condemned sinner—turning unto a whole Christ, in the exercise of all our facilities, responding to His claims upon us, prepared to unreservedly trust, sincerely love, and devotedly serve Him.

Arthur Pink

The death of Christ, apprehended by faith, presents the strongest motives to holiness—by setting forth in the most vivid and striking manner . . . the evil nature of sin; the holiness and justice of God; His determination to punish transgression; the fearfulness of falling into the hands of the living God.

Not all the judgments God ever inflicted—nor all the threatenings He ever denounced, give such an impressive warning against sin, and admonition to righteousness—as the death of Christ.

The torments of the bottomless pit are not so dreadful a demonstration of God's hatred of sin, as the agonies of the cross!

J. A. James

Song of Solomon 4:7 "Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee."

NO SPOT IN THEE

By faith I hear from Christ's own mouth,

His Word and Spirit speak to me;

And say to my poor wretched soul,

"My love, there is no spot in thee."

No spot in me, an Adam child?

No spot in me, tis all I see!

Could His own blood such cleansing make?

Each blemish wash there on the tree?

No spot in me, all truly gone?

No spot in me can justice find?

No spot in me, sin put away?

No flaw that holiness can mind?

"No spot in thee, O lovely Bride"

"No spot in thee, though often tried,"

"My comeliness, your beauty is"

Which I put on you when I died."

What wondrous words for me to hear!

"All fair" and shall forever be!

For it is God the Son who says,

"My love, there is no spot in thee!"

Gary Shepard 88.88