By

Pastor George D. Cutler

As we begin our discourse on Election, we would like to express our profound love for all of God’s people, even those who vehemently believe and teach the very opposite of the doctrines of salvation that we teach here at the Grace Gospel Church Ministries. We, at the Grace Gospel Church Ministries believe as the Bible teaches that there is but one body of Christ, which is comprised of many individual members, so there is only one Church. The Church is not identified by any affiliation or denomination or creed, it is only identified by its head. The head of the Church is Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God. In Paul’s Epistle to the Colossians, the scriptures teach that we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins and that He is the image of the invisible God the first born of every creature. All things were created by Him and for Him and He is before all things and by Him all things consist. He is the head of the body, the Church, who is the beginning, the first born from the dead, that in all things He might have the preeminence (to be first). We are further informed that our peace with God is obtained through His blood that was shed for the purpose of reconciling all things to Him, whether they are in earth or in heaven.

As we look at those of us who have been reconciled (through his blood) and remember we were all enemies and alienated and separated from God due to our sinful Adamic nature; but those who are reconciled, receive this reconciliation through the body of His flesh that is through His death. God’s ultimate aim is to present every individual member of the Body of Christ, holy, unblameable and unreproveable in His sight. We believe every confessed child of God will agree on the facts we have just stated. Where there is disagreement and differences of opinion is how God accomplishes this task? It is our belief that all of God’s elect are obligated to continuously and enthusiastically seek the mind and will of God, concerning His eternal plan, purpose and will. This can only be accomplished by keeping both our Bibles and our minds opened to the spirit of God to enlighten us.

There are many factions, groups and denominations that are closed-minded and some can become down right offensive when they feel that their creeds or rules or their doctrine is being challenged. Some resort to name calling, labeling and attempting to use slogans to discredit those ideas and interpretations of the scriptures that are different from theirs. As we have forestated, we have formatted our presentation of what we believe in writings for all that wish to consider. So whether you agree or disagree with us, we still love you because you are members of the Body of Christ.

Accordingly we will not participate in name-calling, labeling or slogans. No, we are not "Calvinists" and we are not going to label anyone whose beliefs are different as "Arminians". We will not even accept the label "Pauline". In the third chapter of First Corinthians, Paul writes "For ye are yet carnal and walk as men" for some say I am of Paul and another I am of Apollos"…then he asks a question, "who is Paul and who is Apollos"? No, the only label that we will accept is "Christ", for He is the head of this body. Nor will we participate in slogans i.e., the acronyms T.U.L.I.P or O.S.A.S, for we believe them to be rallying points for divisions within the Body of Christ.

Here we pray that those who are truly interested will engage in open, honest dialog. This does not mean that we won’t disagree on some issues, but we will agree if we are in the Body of Christ (and there is only one Church), that we do share the common testimony that the blood of Jesus Christ redeems us. Now again we welcome your comments in love.

As we commence our dissertation on the doctrinal subject Election, we do so with the full understanding of the controversial nature of this blessed truth among many traditional religious factions. It is certainly not our aim to sow any seeds of discord among God’s people for as we have continually stated we truly love the body of Christ and we would like nothing more than to see God’s precious elect united. We also recognize that the only thing that can unite us is the truth i.e., the essence of the message that was revealed to the Apostle Paul for the Church, which includes the full understanding of all of the soteriological principles that are a part of the mystery.

In our examination of election, we note its application to two very important doctrines of salvation, namely Reconciliation and Justification. We believe that many who consider themselves to be students of God’s word would at least agree that God is the sole initiator and actor who performs the tasks of bringing about the results of these spiritual truths. To define these terms briefly; under the doctrine of reconciliation, man is estranged and separated from God due to his sinful nature, thus God had to "reconcile" or "restore" some back into a fellowship relation with Himself. The only method available to God in accomplishing this task was the substitutionary death of Jesus. This required removing the enmity that existed and of course the only remedy to sin is the blood of Jesus. We think that most of God’s people who study His word will agree upon that one point.

Now for God to restore mankind and yet remain consistent with His attributes of being righteous, holy and just, it was necessary for Him to accomplish this feat without compromising the standard of His nature. In other words God’s task was to justify His restoration of mankind and yet remain just! How God accomplished this is documented in the doctrine of justification. As we state numerous times during our discourse of this subject matter, justification is a legal term, which basically deals with removing the "guilt" and placing the one who is absolutely guilty into a position of absolute innocence. We certainly pray that we have demonstrated through God’s word that only deity can accomplish this. The removing of guilt can only be the result of Jesus sacrificial work in effectuating salvation, as He died for (or because of) our sins and rose for (or because of) our justification.

As we turn to the doctrinal subject matter election, we move into an area that has caused numerous debates among member of the Body of Christ. The major point of contention is whether the task of electing or choosing is solely the act of God or is it a joint-effort shared either equally or partially by those who enjoy the privilege of being God’s elect.

In the study of soteriology (salvation) most of God’s people agree that the Holy Spirit’s primary ministry to believers today is, (1) to enable us to understand the truth, which we are to impart to the lost (I Corinthians 1:23; 15:3-4). This should be a simple message centered in the redemptive death of Jesus Christ. (2) To empower us to comprehend the truth which He has given to members of the Body of Christ (Ephesians 3:18-19; Colossians 1:9-10). Note that this message must operate on the basis of grace, being what we are in Christ. (3) To make it possible for us to know that for which we should pray (Romans 8:26-27). The Holy Spirit intercedes and conforms all our prayers to the will of God. (4). We do not expect everyone to agree with us on this, but our minds should be revitalized with the truth of the word of God, Mystery Truth, which has been revealed to the Church that we may persuasively teach it (Colossians 1:25-26).

Now to the extent that we faithfully teach the epistles written by Paul and others whose writings are in alignment with his as the message to the New Testament Grace Churches, we will certainly flow with the Holy Spirit. We absolutely believe that, that which the Holy Spirit has written to the New Testament Grace Churches, particularly through the Apostle Paul, is the inviolable word of God for this present age of grace (I Corinthians 2:6-10; Galatians 1:12; I Thessalonians 2:13). This is the message which the Holy Spirit used to change lives in the initial grace church and we are confident that it is this same message that God uses to change and stabilize our lives today (Ephesians 2:11-13; 4:17-32). The closer we stay to the literal intended meaning of the Holy Spirit, as set forth in the church epistles, the more we can legitimately expect God to truly bless our ministering. Accordingly with this knowledge in hand we boldly (confidently) forge ahead into the turbulent waters of discoursing the "Doctrine of Election" as we believe it to be.

In our presentation of the subject matter "election", we will be dealing with other doctrinal issues*, i.e.; (1) the sovereignty of God, (2) the total depravity of man, (3) limited atonement, (4) foreordination, (5) predestination, (6) unconditional election, (7) irresistible grace and (8) preservation (not perseverance) of the saints. We will also be conveying terms and definitions from the Greek Text, i.e., the Greek New Testament. In doing so, we note that the Grace Gospel Church Ministry utilizes the modern Greek pronunciation in lieu of the erasmic pronunciation as is found in some of the Greek lexicons that some may be familiar with, i.e., Young’s and Strong’s. * It is not the intentions of these writings to duplicate or reflect in any manner the so-called five points of "Calvinism".

The Sovereignty of God

The sovereignty of God entails God’s absolute right to execute His will, plan or purpose without challenge, opposition or question from anyone outside of Himself.  If we recognize that God is the maker and creator of all things in the universe (as He is), then we who are creatures of His creation must be in total subordination to everything that He says and every act that He does. As this relates to the subject matter “election”, the main issue is how God brings spiritually dead sinners into a living relationship with Himself.  In this regard, an appropriate theological title would be God’s sovereignty in soteriolgy.  Soteriology is the study of salvation.  In this sense, our discourse on this subject matter will make sense only to those who are totally subordinate to what God says about the fall of Adam and its confirmation by his progeny (Genesis 3:4,19:4:8,11-12,16: Romans 3:9-18,23; 7:14; Ephesians 3:1-3; Titus 3:3).   Now if our minds are infiltrated and permeated with humanistic evaluations of man, consciously or subconsciously, then one will be led to think that dead sinners, within themselves are capable of initiating a relationship with God.  If this very popular yet secular, humanistic appraisal of man’s ability is true, then why does God emphasize in his word that He is the initiator of the salvation relationship?  (Acts 13:48;16:14; Romans 8:28-30; 9:10-18,23-24;11:6-7; I Corinthians 1:30; Ephesians 1:3-6;11-12; Colossians 3:12; I Thess. 1:4; II Timothy 2:10; Titus 1:1; I Peter 1:1,9; II Peter 1:10). 

We do not and are not participants in God’s determinant will. Mankind is excluded as actors or initiators from God’s determinant will. His determinant will, plan and purpose were prearranged, thus they will come to pass exclusive of man’s participation, because God is always the sole actor and initiator of all things that He is determined to do.  We are thoroughly convinced by the word of God, that the sovereignty of God concerning His choice and election falls into the category of His determined will, plan and purpose. In view of the overwhelming evidence (see preceding scriptures), which cannot truthfully be denied, it is obvious that God has a sovereign purpose and plan because it is His determinant will to restore (some not all) men back into fellowship with Himself (Colossians 3:9-10).  As we continue our study on the doctrinal yet volatile matter of election, we make note of the teachings of this message of God’s sovereign choice and setting apart of His elect.

The Total Depravity of Man

We will convey a brief description of the total depravity of man.  Of course we will go into extensive detail on each of these matters as we progress in our dissertation.  Many vehemently disagree with the idea that man is totally evil and void of the capability of doing any good without the direct intervention of God’s motivation.  Here we must make the distinction between total depravity and absolute depravity.  We acknowledge that man in his depraved state can and does exercise some restraint on all the evil that he is capable of doing.  All men are not murderers or bank robbers or rapists.  The fact remains that some are and that all are capable of each and every one of these heinous crimes.  Of course, some will say not me!  Here we must understand the value of godly influence on the ungodly nature of mankind.  For one to be totally depraved does not mean he is as extensively evil as possible, but he is as intensively evil as possible.  In order to have any semblance of a civilized society God must and does exercise His power of restraint on the nature of some men, but we must never forget that the potential is always there.  So it is not that any one of us cannot commit or perform that which we are capable of, but it testifies that God does control the extent to which evil conduct is manifested.  Here we must credit God with this restraint and not man. 

Now it is a fact that nothing that a man does in his fallen nature can be counted as absolute good in God’s sight, which from God’s perspective is not good enough to save anyone (Romans 3:10-18; Psalms 14:2-3; 52:2-4; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Isaiah 59:7-8).   The only one who is capable of giving a true evaluation of man is God, the one who created him.   Man, as he was originally created, was made in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27).  In Genesis 1:31, God evaluated the man that he created as being good.  Man as formed by God, was required to function as a free moral agent under the Edenic Covenant, i.e., he (Adam) was required to exercise a choose between what God said to be right or wrong. This does not mean that he was confirmed in his good and innocent state or that he possessed inherent righteousness (Genesis 2:6-7).  The first man as a human representative agent, that is while Adam was still in his state of innocence, inevitably followed the word of God’s adversary (Satan), rather than the word of God (Genesis 3:1-6).  As a result of man’s action even before he was tainted with sin (as we know it), he fell under God’s judgement of death (Genesis 2:17; 3:2-3). Here we must fully understand what death is. The essence of death is separation.  Man became separated from God.  We should also understand that this death or this separation is spiritual and physical, a total cutoff from divine life.  Now in contrast to and certainly to be distinguished from all other forms of life, Genesis 2:7 states, “God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and man became a living soul”. This special importation of life to man was withdrawn when he disobeyed God and died.   

To die means to be dead, incapable of moving after the similitude of that which is spiritual, thus, this death set in immediately and ultimately physical death followed suit in due time.  Understand, no man is righteous within himself (Isaiah 53:6; Romans 1:21-32; 3:23; 5:12-21).  This is true of all men.  The Greek word “ahr·ee·os” is translated “useless” or “valueless”.  This denotes that the whole mass of mankind is worthless, one dead putrid mass all lumped together. 

In Romans 3:10-18, there is a vivid description of the depraved nature, as we read from the King James Version, (vs. 10) “As it is written, There is none righteous, no not one: (vs. 11) There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. (vs. 12) They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. (vs. 13) Their throat is open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: (vs. 14) Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: (vs. 15) their feet are swift to shed blood: (vs. 16) Destruction and misery are in their ways: (vs. 17) And the way of peace have they not known: (vs. 18) There is no fear of God before their eyes.   Oh, what an indictment by these malicious and cutting words as they kill and bury the reputation of men.  As we read from the Greek text Romans 3:13, “Their throat is an open tomb, they deceive with their tongues, the poison of asps is under their lips”.  Romans 5:12 explicitly states that sin came into the world through Adam, thus his penalty was death and since all men are inflicted with death, this is evidence that all have sinned!  According to Romans 3:23, it is documented “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”.  One of the most accurate descriptions of the natural man is found in Ephesians 2:1-3.  Here the Apostle Paul states as we read from the Greek text, “And you being dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you once walked, according to the age of this world, according to the ruler of authority of the air, the spirit now working in the sons of disobedience, among whom we all also once lived in the lusts of our flesh and of the thoughts, and we were by nature children of wrath even as also the rest”.  Notice, according to these verses, the natural man is dead in sin and his lifestyle is patterned after Satan’s blueprint for this age.  The ruler of the authority of the air, namely Satan, dominates man’s life.  He lives in the lusts of the flesh and does the will of the mind of the flesh.  In his nature he is a child of wrath, this obviously applies to all men (both Jews and Gentiles), who in their very nature are totally depraved sinners.  So in view of God’s evaluation of mankind, and that is the only one that matters, he is a totally depraved sinner separated from God, dead spiritually and on death row physically and he himself within himself is unable to extricate himself apart from God’s deliverance.  Now we will go into much greater detail on man’s depravity in the discoursing of our general subject election.

FOREORDINATION (PREDESTINATION)

Now we briefly mention foreordination and predestination as these terms are sometimes used interchangeably.  Foreordination denotes God’s sovereign plan, whereby He decides all that is to happen in the entire universe.  Predestination is a part of foreordination, it defines the specifics of God’s eternal plan, i.e., God’s election, call (summons), justification, and glorification.  In Ephesians 1:5, the Greek verb “pro·oree·sas”, rendered “foreordained” is formed from a combination of the Greek preposition “pro” meaning “before” prefixed to the word “o·ree·zo”, meaning boundary or limits or restrictions.  Hence, its etymological meaning conveys the idea of to limit, restrict and mark out beforehand to “in prior time design and determine” or to “ordain before hand”, thus to specifically predestinate or predetermine.

As we follow the Greek word order in the usage of this word “pro●oree●sas”, it is always in the aorist tense. In interpreting this grammatical principle, its application always points to a given point or period, prior to the creating of the world when God both elected or chose and foreordained individuals to be holy (set apart) and blameless (justified) before Him and as such, to occupy a son-position. This cuts against the grain of what many have been taught and we only ask that you follow along with the study and allow the Holy Spirit to guide your thinking.   In light of all of the facts of eternity, we should keep in mind that God is omniscient and all knowing, thus nothing in this world happens by chance.  God is ultimately in back of everything.  He decides and causes all things to happen.  He is not sitting on the sideline wondering and perhaps contemplating in trepidation, what is going to happen.  He has foreordained everything “After the counsel of His will” (Ephesians 1:11), everything is preplanned and pre-purposed, even the negative and sinful acts against Him.  In all things, God who is all wisdom, always works out what He deems best and good and that, which pleases Him, is always the highest possible intelligent decision.  So these eternal facts, plus God’s perfect judgement, enabled Him to, in His sovereignty according to His purpose for the ages, foreordain us, His elect to the praise of His grace and glory (Ephesians 1:6,12).  We will go into greater detail of foreordination and predestination in our expository presentation of the subject matter of Election.

 LIMITED RECONCILIATION (ATONEMENT)

In our relatively brief discussion of the doctrinal issue known as limited atonement, we shall utilize this term only with the noted understanding that the word atonement (kawfer) in the Hebrew is exclusively an Old Testament term.  We hereby absolutely state that you will not, will not find the word atonement in the New Testament.  Some are going to adamantly point to Romans 5:11 and extrapolate this word from the reading of the King James Version, but hold on, not so fast!   

The proper exegesis of this verse utilizing the Greek grammar as well as a thorough review of the context, clearly shows that the Greek word “katallayeen” is properly translated “reconciliation”, giving the basic meaning of restoring to favor.  As conveyed in this verse (Romans 5:11), it denotes the restoration of the favor of God to sinners who have been caused to confess their sins and put their trust in the expiatory death of Jesus Christ.  So why use this term if it is not found in the New Testament?  The Hebrew word (kawfar) basically references “a primitive root”.  It denotes a covering, thus it conveys the idea of to cover, to purge, to enact mercy (withheld judgement), to disannul, to appease, to put off, or pardon.  To make atonement means to cover or coat with pitch, so it is that which pacifies. Prior to Jesus Christ’s substitutionary death on the cross, this act of atonement was the best expression of God’s mercy that could be manifested.  One who buys something with a credit card demonstrates another analogy of atonement.  Although a purchase transaction has been made, the merchandise or property or service is not completely paid for until the debt accumulated on the card is fully discharged.  The commodity has been “spoken for” or “covered” with the understanding that the payment is forthcoming at a later date.  On this side of the cross, the expression of atonement can now be advanced from the temporary act of covering to the permanent act of cleansing.  Thus the stain and guilt of sin is no longer just covered, but it has been eradicated or removed and thoroughly purged enabling God to forgive and reconcile those who are separated from Him by the Adamic curse. This term “atonement” refers to the “provisions” that God has made to eradicate sin.

Those who agree as well as those who disagree with this concept have both traditionally accepted the use of the term “limited atonement”.  Accordingly we will utilize this established nomenclature to identify the principles and thoughts conveyed by the terminology “limited atonement”, which is actually “limited reconciliation”.

 The basic questions that are ascribed to the doctrine of “limited atonement” or “limited reconciliation” are:  

1.      For whom did Christ intend to die?

2.      Whose sins did Christ actually pay for?

3.      For whom did Christ go into the depths of Hell?

4.      Who did Christ reconcile to God?

5.      For whom was Christ made a substitute?

6.      What was God’s purpose and intent for the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ?

(Was it to save everyone or is it limited to only those who God elected?)

Basically there are two distinct and opposite schools of thought, they are:

1.      Jesus Christ died for everyone, all-inclusive. We shall designate this group as Group A.

2.      Jesus Christ died for only the believer (God’s elect). We shall designate this group as Group B.       

Group A basically endorses the concept of unlimited atonement, which included unlimited election which provides an universal atonement and universal love for all, thus an indefinite atonement and indefinite love indiscriminately directed at all but to no one in particular.  This group enthusiastically teaches that Jesus Christ died for the entire world and paid for the sins of everyone, including the reprobate, even those that consciously reject Jesus and are destined for Hell.  They make a distinction between what Christ did, i.e., He died for all and what Christ accomplished (because all will not be saved).  They offer an explanation of Christ’s shed blood verses His spilled blood.  They believe God intended to save all, but only some exercised faith so apparently some of Jesus’ blood was wasted or it was spilled.  Oh, what incredible thinking!  To bolster their position, they appeal to such passages as I John 2:2, which states, “He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world”.  This group points to other scriptures, i.e., II Corinthians 5:14, which states, “The love of Christ constrains us, because we judge that one died for all”; also they refer to the gospel of John 4:42, which states, "This is indeed the Savior of the world”.  In our discourse we will endeavor to demonstrate the inaccuracy of their interpretation of these and other scriptures.

Group B’s position is; Jesus Christ died only for the believer (His elect) and only these chosen ones will be saved.  In this school of thinking, Christ intended or purposed that His death should pay for the sins of only those who the Father had given Jesus (John 6:37-40).

 For the purpose of attempting to expose the weakness of Group A’s support of unlimited election or atonement, Group B has advanced the premise that if Christ actually died for the sins of the world, He would have in effect taken away the penalty of everyone’s sins and thus everyone would be saved.  

Of course such a conclusion is obviously not true, because much of the world will go to hell.  So attention is mainly focused on passages of scriptures that support the contention that Christ died, not for everyone, but for His people (Matthew 1:21), and the Church (Acts 20:28), even His wife (Ephesians 5:25).  He died for those whom He has chosen in Him before creation (Ephesians 1:4).  The term limited is not intended to convey the thought that the blood of Jesus Christ is limited in the capacity or potency of its power to save. No one who understands the omnipotence of God, i.e., (unlimited power) will ever dare to purport that God is limited in his power to save. 

 The blood of Jesus Christ absolutely has the power to save all in the world, but God’s power to save is limited by his purpose and will to save only those whom he has in His sovereignty chosen to save.

 It is certainly true that the atonement is of infinite worth and value, but the unlimited value of the atonement of Christ is limited to its scope as defined by the predetermined will and plan of God.  The fact is that which Christ intended to do, he actually did and that was to remove the guilt of the sins of a limited number of people, namely those whom God has loved with a special love from eternity.  The results are that the atonement of unlimited value is limited to certain men (God’s elect). The terminology “limited atonement” may actually prove to be confusing to some, so other terms have been preferred, i.e., “definite” or “particular” atonement. These terms may more accurately emphasis the objects of this atonement.  They stress that the atonement, which is unlimited in its power is limited to a definite, particular number of people, God’s elect, who are caused by God to believe.   We will obviously need to revisit these issues in much greater detail as we progress in our study of the doctrinal subject of election.

UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION

As we give a brief description of the term “unconditional election”, we refer to the “conditional” aspect of atonement or God’s policy for restoring His elect unto Himself.  Note the contrast between the limited conditions of atonement verses the unlimited conditions of election, yet the two concepts compliment one another as they both depend solely on the sovereignty of God. To understand this term “unconditional election”, one must consider the component words “election” and “unconditional” separately. 

The word election simply means to elect or to choose, select or opt.  A common example would be a political election wherein choice is made or a candidate is selected or elected by the voters from a field of candidates, to fulfill a certain office, i.e., the mayor of a city, the governor of a state, or even the president of the nation.  A Divine election entails the sovereign choice made by God wherein the elect or the one selected is positionally placed in a favorable relationship to God. 

Those who enjoy God’s favor are eternally linked with Him, thus they go to heaven.  Those who are not favored by God are eternally separated from Him; thus they go to Hell. 

The word unconditional denotes that which is unrestrained or undefined, there are no boundaries, no rules, regulatory or specification type requirements to be met.   A conditional election is an election that is conditioned or predicated upon something that is supplied by the one selected. For example, all political elections are conditional elections. The voter’s choice is always conditioned by something that the candidate is or has promised.  As we are all aware, some potential candidates’ promise whatever they feel it takes in order to be elected.  A few honest political candidates only promise to be good representatives and to do that which they judge to be the right thing.  Other political candidates appeal to the ethnic or religious relationship factor, i.e., to those who are Afro-Americans, or Jews, or Anglo-Saxons or Catholics or Muslims, etc. 

These human elections are conditional elections whereby the choices of the voters are always based upon either the expected performance or some characteristics of the one to be elected.  This concept of election is somehow attributed to God’s method of linking up with humanity but as amazing as it may seem, divine election is always an unconditional election.  It must be understood that God never bases His choice on what man thinks, says, does or is.  In God’s election process, it does not matter what man thinks, says, does, or is, because it does not factor into God’s formula for choosing His elect.  In essence, it is not known by men, what criteria God uses but one thing is sure; election is not based on anything that is supplied or attributed to or contributed by man himself. 

God does not see something good or of value or that which is attractive in a particular person or anything else that motivates or figures into His decision to choose him.  Oh what a blesseth relief, what wonderful knowledge as one considers the question posed as recorded in the book of Hebrew as to who or what is man that God would be mindful to extend the very best that He has to offer and that is Sonship.  Consider if God’s election to Heaven was based on something that we had to be, think or do.  Under such requirements, who would be saved?  What man can stand before God and say that he can produce that which is totally acceptable to the standard of God.  The answer is none for we are all dead in our sins and trespasses (Ephesians 2:1).

There is no one that does good, no not one (Romans 3:10-11).  So if God’s election were based on a single good thing that was expected from us, then absolutely no one would be elected.  Thus no man would go to Heaven; all would go to Hell, because no one is good enough to satisfy the righteousness of God.  Now we shall continue to define this issue during our dissertation on election.

Irresistible Grace

As we scrutinize the issue of “irresistible grace”, we again consider the compositional structure of this term separately.  The Greek word “kar·ees” means favor, benefit, kindness, or good will, that is undeserved or unmerited.  The Greek word “tho ·rahn·ahn” is often used conjunctively with grace (kar·ees) and basically means “free” or “without a cause”.  Anything that can be earned or merited or is deserved or transferred with a cause or because of something is not grace.  Only that which is received without any input on the part of the recipient can be considered grace.  Ephesians 2:8 states the emphatic fact that one is saved by grace, thus salvation comes in the form of a gift.  

The Greek word “khahr·ees·mah” is translated “gift” or “free gift” which conveys the idea of a favor which one receives without any merit of his own.  This is the description of the gift of divine grace.  It is through the economy or dispensation of divine grace, by which the pardon of sin and eternal salvation is appointed, based solely on the merit of Jesus Christ’s worth and value to God. 

Many do not comprehend this simply because we do not understand the concept of what a gift in essence truly is.  When men give gifts, for the most part, grace is not the motive.  Normally the recipients of gifts given by men usually contribute something to receiving the gift.  Basically the gift is given because of who the recipient is (love one or relative) or because of something the recipient has done (act of kindness, loyal service, etc.).  In these cases that “gift” or expression of kindness that is conveyed is really a “token of appreciation”, thus it is not without cause and it is not a free gift.  Another example of men giving so-called “gifts” is the un-noble practice of those who convey favors for the purpose of indulging the recipient in some manner.  In this instance the “gift giver” expects to receive some favor in turn for his gesture.  It is crucial for us to understand that God did not have any reason outside of Himself to save us; it was purely or freely by grace!

Now as we examine the word “irresistible” we note that the actual word is not found in the Bible.  This term is so phrased to designate what the grace of God accomplishes in bringing a dead lowly reprehensible creature from a state of total rejection by Him into the glorious position of the most precious possession He has ever created.  In the English dictionary the word “irresistible” is an adjective, meaning that which is too powerful, too tempting or too charming to be resisted or repulsed. 

This could not possibly be ascribed to any quality or attribute or effect that man has or could have to attract the love of God.  In other words there is nothing that any man has or any man possesses or any man has the capacity to do to draw the attention of God towards him.

 As it is recorded in the second chapter of Hebrews, verses 6-7, (from the King James Version), the testimony,  “What is man, that thou (God) art mindful of him? Or the son of man that thou visitest him? Thou madest him a little lower than the Angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honor.  Now from the Greek text, “But one testified somewhere, saying what is man that you remember him or the son of man, that you take care of him? You have made him a little lower than the Angels, you crowned him with glory and honor”.  There are some key words in that passage, first the Greek word “meem·nee·skee” rendered “mindful” or to remember or to be called to mind.  So the thought is what causes God to be mindful of mankind? 

The second word we focus on is the Greek word “eep·ee·skehp·tee” translated “ to look upon” or “ to look after” for the purpose of helping or benefiting or providing for.  Notice this verb is in the indicative mood (it’s a fact!); the present tense (it’s continuous) and the middle or passive voice which infers that man contributes absolutely nothing to the fact that God continuously visits, cares for and is concerned about such a lowly creature!

In verse seven, the writer exclaims that God “eh●stehph·ahn●os·ahs”, rendered “crownedst” or “to adorn” or “to honor”, thus God has adorned some of mankind with “thox·ee” (glory) and “tee·mee” (honor, respect and recognition of value). Ephesians 1:6 states (from the King James Version), “To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved”.  Now from the Greek Text, “Unto the praise of His glorious grace which He freely gave us in the beloved”.

 Here we focus on the Greek word “ehkh ahr·eet·os·ehn” translated “freely gave”, it is the verbal form of the Greek noun “kah•rees” rendered “grace”.  Therefore what is expressed by the aorist tense and indicative mood and the third person singular is; in a past period and point (eternity), it is a definite fact that God graced or freely gave us something or He made us something very valuable.   The third person singular proves that we had nothing to do with it.  So the basic question is what did God make us or freely give to us?  The Greek participle ”eeg·ah·pee·meh·no” translated “to be well pleased” or “beloved one”, is expressed in the present tense (it is perpetual or continuous) and passive voice we have absolutely no input.

Therefore the significance is that God has caused Him to become and be graced into the essence of His Beloved Son (Jesus Christ), which has in turn made it possible for us to be called “beloved one”. 

It is a fact that God is well pleased with the worth and value of Jesus Christ and is irresistibly pleased with Him. Likewise those who are products of “irresistible grace” enjoy the same status of acceptance to God. We will obviously need to go into greater detail of this issue as we progress in our discourse of election.

 Another aspect or effect of “irresistible grace” is how God has made Himself to be so attractive and loved by those whom He has loved from eternity.  We must recognize that God is the reason we love Him. Love is not initiated or sourced out of us. 

All men do not love God and are not attracted to Jesus.  Those of us who love His name and love His person and love His presence, do so simply because God has initiated it in our hearts to enable us to respond to His love I Peter 1:8; I John 4:19).  It is the love of God that irresistibly draws us to Jesus Christ (John 6:44; I John 4:8,10,16).  Again, this is all motivated by God’s grace.

PRESERVATION (NOT PERSEVERANCE) OF THE SAINTS

 We herein examine the terminology “preservation of the Saints” and as we do so, we define this very misunderstood word “Saints”.  In this regard the question is asked, “what is a Saint”?  What constitutes the status of Sainthood?  Is it inherent? Is it acquired? Is it bestowed? The words Saint and Saints are used approximately 100 times in the Word of God.

 The Old Testament Hebrew word Kaw-doshe denotes “One who is Holy or set apart”.   The New Testament Greek word “ahy·ee·os” conveys the designation of those who have been set apart to or by God and deemed to be consecrated and judged to be morally pure and upright before God.  It must be understood that all of God’s elect (regardless of their dispensation) enjoy this privileged position of Sainthood. 

It is the benefit of all of God’s people simply because it is not obtained by merit, it is not an accomplishment as some denominations so designate it.  Sainthood has absolutely nothing to do with the recipient on which it has been bestowed.   It is not acquirable or obtainable.  No one (other than God) can contribute anything to nor take any thing that which God has declared to be righteous.  Saints are called (Romans 1:7) or summoned as a result of the foreknowledge of God and they were predestinated as the elect of God (Romans 8:28-30).

As we scrutinize the word “preservation” or its root, preserve or preserved, we also denote the meaning of its synonyms, i.e., guard or guarded and keep or kept.  In the Old Testament several words are used to express the intended meaning of these terms: The Hebrew word “khaw-yaw” denotes the continuation of life.  The Hebrew word “mikh-yaw” conveys “the thought of the preservation of life”.  The Hebrew word “naw-sar” denotes that which is “guarded or watched over”. 

The Hebrew word “shar-mar” means ‘to keep guard”, “have charge over”  “protect”  “save”or “ to observe” or “keep (within bounds).  The Hebrew word “naw-tsal” conveys the meaning of “to be snatched away”, “delivered” or “rescued from sin and guilt”.  The Hebrew word “yaw-shah” means “ to be saved, delivered and given total victory”. Lastly the Hebrew word “daw-bak” means “to cling, stick, stay close or cleave”. 

In the New Testament, the Greek word “zo·oog·on·eh·o” is translated “to bring forth” or “give and preserve life”.  Other Greek definitions are: “sozio”, meaning “to save, or “keep safe and sound”.  The Greek word “seen·teer·eh·o” is translated “to preserve or keep from perishing or being lost”.   The Greek root word of “seen teer eh o” is “teer·eh·o”, which conveys the idea “to attend carefully”, or to reserve or keep one in his current state”.  The Greek word “phee·las·so”, is rendered “to guard, watch or keep from perishing or being lost”.  The Greek word “kol·lah·o” is translated “ to glue, cement or fasten together firmly”.

Now one must fully understand this, only He who has the power to make one a Saint, also has the power to preserve, guard, keep and protect ones status or position of Sainthood.  In II Timothy 1:12 the Apostle Paul states (from the King James Version), “I am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day”.  It must be clearly understood that God not only has the power, but it is also His will to preserve and keep intact that which He both bled and died for.  The testimony of His commitment is manifested in the awesome sacrifice, which was displayed on Calvary’s Cross.  We will further elaborate on all of these doctrinal issues as we continue our discourse on our subject election.