It has always been astounding to me how men can read into the scriptures what is not there, and how they strip from the scriptures what is plainly taught. For example, the doctrine of divine unconditional election is unmistakably set forth in the Bible. Yet men disregard it and evade it as though it is heresy. Someone has said that in our day of modern religion, error has become so prominent and truth so unheard of that man accepts heresy as truth and assails truth as heresy. Observe just two passages out of multitudes that could be cited, which clearly teach the doctrine of unconditional election. First: Ephesians 1:4a, “According as He hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world.” Second: II Thessalonians 2:13, “But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.” Charles Haddon Spurgeon renowned to be the most powerful and successful gospel preacher of the 19th century had this to say as he commented on John 6:37, “All that the Father gives Me shall come to Me.” “This declaration involves the doctrine of election: there are some whom the Father gave to Christ. It involves the doctrine of effectual calling: those who are given must and shall come. However stoutly they may set themselves against it, yet they shall be brought out of darkness into God’s marvelous light. It teaches us the indispensable necessity of faith, for even those who are given to Christ are not saved except they come to Jesus. Even they must come, for there is no other way to heaven but by the door, Christ Jesus. All that the Father gives to our Redeemer must come to Him, therefore none can come to heaven except they come to Christ. “Oh! The power and majesty that rest in the words “shall come.” He does not say they have power to come, or they may come if they will, but they “shall come.” The Lord Jesus does by His messengers, His word, and His Spirit; sweetly and graciously compel men to come in that they may eat of His marriage supper. And this He does not by any violation of the free agency of man, but by the power of His grace. I may exercise power over another man’s will, and yet that other man’s will may be perfectly free, because the constraint is exercised in a manner in accordance with the laws of the human mind.” I might add in conclusion, due to the obstinate will of man, and in light of the total ruin of his nature, except the Almighty God had unconditionally elected, and by His Spirit effectually and irresistibly drawn them to Christ; there would absolutely be no sinner saved.
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