WHY MAKE AN ISSUE OF ELECTION?

Why do we make an issue of election? Primarily because the Word of God makes an issue of election. The Hebrew and Greek words for elect (translated elect, election, and chosen) are used 44 times in the Bible. The Bible makes an issue of election because election gives God all the glory in salvation. What glory that God would choose to save sinners, who left to themselves, would never choose God! The Bible also makes an issue of election because the doctrine of election reveals the true character of man. Man is dead in sin so man does not have the ability to choose God. Men are utterly dependent on God to save them by doing for them what they will never and can never do for themselves. If a sinner is going to be saved the Father must choose him, the Son must make atonement for his sin, and the Holy Spirit must give that sinner life. Salvation is of the Lord!

The desire of my heart is so to live so that people will say as I pass, Not “What a wonderful Christian he is!” But “What a wonderful Christ he has!”

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I WANT TO BE A CHRISTIAN EVERY DAY!

Many people become an Irishman for a day on St. Patrick’s Day. On that day they do what real Irishmen do every day. They talk like the Irish, use Irish expressions, sing Irish songs, go to Irish places, and so forth. They afterward return to being what they were before. They apparently do not wish to be Irish every day.


A similar thing happens on Christmas: Many people become a Christian for day. On that day, they do what real Christians do every day. They talk like Christians – sweetly and civilly, greeting others merrily and with blessings. They use Christian expressions – like “Unto us is born a Savior, who is Christ the Lord!” and “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” They sing Christian songs – especially

Joy to the world! The Lord is born!

Let earth receive her King.

Let every heart prepare Him room,

And heaven and nature sing.

They go to worship services, talk about loving Jesus, give gifts, demonstrate charity to the needy. Then, when Christmas is over, they return to being what they were before. Evidently, not every one wants to be a Christian every day. But I do! Lord Jesus, enable me to be a Christian every day!

Pastor Moose Parks

FAITH

Faith is not life giving, but proof of life. Faith is not a work for salvation, but a work of salvation. Faith is not what saves us, but is certain proof God has saved us. Faith is not a condition we meet, but the condition God’s Spirit puts in us to “make us meet” (Col.1:12). Is all this important? Do we split theological hairs here? NO! NO! For the Glory of God is at stake! That other (false) gospel says faith is man’s work, man’s will. But no, faith is “not of yourselves, but the gift of God” (Eph.2:8). Faith is “according to the working of His mighty power” (Eph.1:19). Therefore, it is “to the praise of the glory of His grace” (Eph.1:6) . . . and not rather “to the praise of our faith.”

Pastor Paul Mahan

BEHOLD THE VIRGIN'S INFANT CHILD - Don Fortner

Let ev'ry ransomed sinner sing and praise the triune God.

With grateful hearts, your honors bring. Let us extol our God!

The Father gave His darling Son to ransom His elect.

The Lamb was slain ere time begun or we incurred our debt.

In the fulness of time, Christ came, (God's Son in human flesh!)

That He might put away our sin and bring in righteousness.

Praise God the Holy Spirit, too, for His almighty grace,

Who sprinkles Jesus' blood on you and gives your conscience peace.

Behold the virgin's infant child was Jesus come to save!

He was, and ever will abide, the God-man who can save!

Immanuel, the God-man died and rose again for us,

With His own blood appears on high and claims heaven for us!