#758 1689 Confession Divine Providence Part 3

God, as the righteous Judge, sometimes blinds and hardens wicked and ungodly people because of  their sins. He withholds His grace from them, by which they could have been enlightened in their understanding and had their hearts renewed. Not only that, but sometimes He also takes away the gifts they already had and exposes them to situations that their corrupt natures turn into opportunities for sin. Moreover, He gives them over to their own lusts, the temptations of the world, and the power of Satan, so that they harden themselves in response to the same influences that God uses to soften others. 

…24Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to impurity for the dishonoring of their bodies with one another. 25They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen. 26For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones.… Romans 1: 24-26

…6And if it is by grace, then it is no longer by works. Otherwise, grace would no longer be grace. 7What then? What Israel was seeking, it failed to obtain, but the elect did. The others were hardened, 8as it is written: “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that could not see, and ears that could not hear, to this very day.”… Romans 11: 6-8

3You saw with your own eyes the great trials, and those miraculous signs and wonders. 4Yet to this day the LORD has not given you a mind to understand, eyes to see, or ears to hear. 5During the forty years I led you in the wilderness, neither your clothes nor the sandals on your feet wore out.… Deuteronomy 29: 3-5

…11He replied, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 12Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 13This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.’… Matthew 13: 11-13

29just as the descendants of Esau who live in Seir and the Moabites who live in Ar did for us, until we cross the Jordan into the land the LORD our God is giving us.” 30But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass through, for the LORD your God had made his spirit stubborn and his heart obstinate, that He might give him into your hands, as is the case this day. 31Then the LORD said to me, “See, I have begun to deliver Sihon and his land to you. Now begin to conquer and possess his land.”… Deuteronomy 2: 29-31

…12“Why is my lord weeping?” asked Hazael. “Because I know the evil you will do to the Israelites,” Elisha replied. “You will set fire to their fortresses, kill their young men with the sword, dash their little ones to pieces, and rip open their pregnant women.” 13“But what is your servant, a mere dog, that he should do this monstrous thing?” said Hazael. And Elisha answered, “The LORD has shown me that you will become king over Aram.” 14So Hazael left Elisha and went to his master, who asked him, “What did Elisha say to you?” And he replied, “He told me that you would surely recover.”… 2 Kings 8: 12-14

…11But My people would not listen to Me, and Israel would not obey Me. 12So I gave them up to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices. 13If only My people would listen to Me, if Israel would follow My ways,… Psalms 81: 11-13

10and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them. 11For this reason, God will send them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie, 12in order that judgment will come upon all who have disbelieved the truth and delighted in wickedness.… 2 Thessalonians 2: 10-12

…14The people piled them into countless heaps, and there was a terrible stench in the land. 15When Pharaoh saw there was relief, however, he hardened his heart and would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the LORD had said. Exodus 8: 14-15

30Then Moses left Pharaoh and prayed to the LORD, 31and the LORD did as Moses requested. He removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh and his officials and his people; not one fly remained. 32But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time as well, and he would not let the people go.… Exodus 8: 30-32

9And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ 10Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed. 11Then I asked: “How long, O Lord?” And He replied: “Until cities lie in ruins without an inhabitant, until the houses are left unoccupied, and the land is desolate and ravaged,… Isaiah 6: 9-11

To you who believe, then, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” 8and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the message— and to this they were appointed. 9But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.… 1 Peter 2: 7-9

5:7 The providence of God in a general way includes all creatures, but in a special way it takes care of His church and arranges all things to its good. 

…9This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance. 10To this end we labor and strive, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe. 11Command and teach these things.… 1 Timothy 4: 9-11

8Surely the eyes of the Lord GOD are on the sinful kingdom, and I will destroy it from the face of the earth. Yet I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob,” declares the LORD. 9“For surely I will give the command, and I will shake the house of Israel among all the nations, as grain is sifted in a sieve, but not a pebble will reach the ground. 10All the sinners among My people will die by the sword—all those who say, ‘Disaster will never draw near or confront us.’”… Amos 9: 8-10

…3For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your place. 4Because you are precious and honored in My sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you and nations in place of your life. 5Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east and gather you from the west.… Isaiah 43: 3-5

God's providence reveals the hearts and intents of men, brings brokenness and grace to those it humbles. It causes us to seek a righteousness that is not our own. 

2So he returned and told his father and his mother, “I have seen a daughter of the Philistines in Timnah. Now get her for me as a wife.” 3But his father and mother replied, “Can you not find a young woman among your relatives or any of our people? Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines to get a wife?” But Samson told his father, “Get her for me, for she is pleasing to my eyes.” 4(Now his father and mother did not know this was from the LORD, who was seeking an occasion to move against the Philistines; for at that time the Philistines were ruling over Israel.)… Judges 14: 2-4

It is a mistake that men hold in their mind, that they are of a power to persuade God, or that their good acts somehow outweigh the bad. Samson's sin did not thwart God's plan against the Philistines, and though God's judgement on that nation was carried out in part through Samson, Samson's disobedience led to much personal anguish. God says, I will have obedience rather than sacrifice, and so it is that no matter how hardened to God we are, in the end all will give glory to His sovereignty, those who obey and trust Christ as vessels of honor, and those who disobey and trust self as vessels of dishonor. One will bring glory to God's grace and the other to His justice. 

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#757 1689 Confession Divine Providence Part 2

5:4 The almighty power, unsearchable wisdom, and infinite goodness of God are so thoroughly demonstrated in His providence, that His sovereign plan includes even the first fall and every other sinful action both of angels and humans. God's providence over sinful actions does not occur by simple permission. Instead, God most wisely and powerfully limits and in other ways arranges and governs sinful actions. Through a complex arrangement of methods He governs sinful actions to accomplish His perfectly holy purposes. Yet He does this in such a way that the sinfulness of their acts arises only from the creatures and not from God. Because God is altogether holy and righteous, He can neither originate nor approve of sin. 

32For God has consigned all men to disobedience so that He may have mercy on them all. 33O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and untraceable His ways! 34“Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?”… Romans 11: 32-34

1Again the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He stirred up David against them, saying, “Go, take a census of Israel and Judah.” 2So the king said to Joab the commander of his army, who was with him, “Go now throughout the tribes of Israel from Dan to Beersheba and register the troops, so that I may know their number.”… 2 Samuel 24: 1-2

1Then Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel. 2So David said to Joab and the commanders of the troops, “Go and count the Israelites from Beersheba to Dan and bring me a report, so that I may know their number.”… 1 Chronicles 21: 1-2

27But I know your sitting down, your going out and coming in, and your raging against Me. 28Because your rage and arrogance against Me have reached My ears, I will put My hook in your nose and My bit in your mouth; I will send you back the way you came.’ 29And this will be a sign to you, O Hezekiah: This year you will eat what grows on its own, and in the second year what springs from the same. But in the third year you will sow and reap; you will plant vineyards and eat their fruit.… 2 Kings 19: 27-29

9when God rose up to judge, to save all the lowly of the earth. Selah 10Even the wrath of man shall praise You; with the survivors of wrath You will clothe Yourself. 11Make and fulfill your vows to the LORD your God; let all the neighboring lands bring tribute to Him who is to be feared.… Psalm 76: 9-11

19But Joseph replied, “Do not be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this— to preserve the lives of many people. 21Therefore do not be afraid. I will provide for you and your little ones.” So Joseph reassured his brothers and spoke kindly to them.… Genesis 50: 19-21

6I will send him against a godless nation; I will dispatch him against a people destined for My rage, to take spoils and seize plunder, and to trample them down like clay in the streets. 7But this is not what he intends; this is not what he plans. His purpose is to destroy and cut off many nations. 8“Are not all my commanders kings?” he says.… Isaiah 10: 6-8

10As my hand seized the idolatrous kingdoms whose images surpassed those of Jerusalem and Samaria, 11and as I have done to Samaria and its idols, will I not also do to Jerusalem and her idols?” 12So when the Lord has completed all His work against Mount Zion and Jerusalem, He will say, “I will punish the king of Assyria for the fruit of his arrogant heart and the proud look in his eyes.… Isaiah 10: 10-12

20You sit and malign your brother; you slander your own mother’s son. 21You have done these things, and I kept silent; you thought I was just like you. But I Myself will rebuke you and accuse you to your face. 22Now consider this, you who forget God, lest I tear you to pieces, with no one to rescue you:… Psalm 50: 20-22

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For all that is in the world— the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life— is not from the Father but from the world. 17The world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God remains forever.… 1 John 2: 15-17

5:5 The perfectly wise, righteous, and gracious God often allows His own children for a time to experience a variety of temptations and the sinfulness of their own hearts. He does this to chastise them for their former sins or to make them aware of the hidden strength of the corruption and deceitfulness of their hearts so that they may be humbled. He also does this to lead them to a closer and more constant dependence on Him to sustain them, to make them more cautious about all future circumstances that may lead to sin, and for other just and holy purposes. So whatever happens to any of His elect happens by His appointment, for His glory and for their good. 

25But because his heart was proud, Hezekiah did not repay the favor shown to him. Therefore wrath came upon him and upon Judah and Jerusalem. 26Then Hezekiah humbled the pride of his heart— he and the people of Jerusalem— so that the wrath of the LORD did not come upon them during the days of Hezekiah. 2 Chronicles 32: 25-26

30It was Hezekiah who blocked the upper outlet of the Spring of Gihon and channeled it down to the west side of the City of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all that he did. 31And so when ambassadors of the rulers of Babylon were sent to him to inquire about the wonder that had happened in the land, God left him alone to test him, that He might know all that was in Hezekiah's heart. 2 Chronicles 32: 30-31

27And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. 29For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.… Romans 8: 27-29

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#756 1689 Confession Divine Providence

5:1 God the good Creator of all things, in His infinite power and wisdom, upholds, directs, arranges and governs all creatures and things, from the greatest to the least, by His perfectly wise and holy providence, to the purpose for which they were created. He governs according to His infallible foreknowledge and the free and unchangeable counsel of His own will. His providence leads to the praise and glory of His wisdom, power, justice, infinite goodness and mercy. 

…2 But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. 4 So He became as far superior to the angels as the name He has inherited is excellent beyond theirs.… Hebrews 1: 2-4

…10 when I fixed its boundaries and set in place its bars and doors, 11 and I declared: ‘You may come this far, but no farther;here your proud waves must stop’? 12 In your days, have you commanded the morning or assigned the dawn its place,… Job 38: 10-12

…9 Remember what happened long ago, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me. 10 I distinguish the end from the beginning, and ancient times from what is still to come, saying: ‘My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure.’ 11 I summon a bird of prey from the east, a man for My purpose from a far-off land. Truly I have spoken, truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, I will surely do it.… Isaiah 46: 9-11

…5 For I know that the LORD is great; our Lord is above all gods. 6 The LORD does whatever pleases Him in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths. 7 He causes the clouds to rise from the ends of the earth. He sends lightning with the rain and brings the wind from His storehouses.… Psalm 135: 5-7

…29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.… Matthew 10: 29-31

5:2 All things come to pass unchangeably and certainly in relation to the foreknowledge and decree of God, who is the first cause. Thus nothing happens to anyone by chance or outside of God's providence. Yet by the same providence God arranges all things to occur according to the nature of second causes, either necessarily, freely, or in response to other causes.

…22 Men of Israel, listen to this message: Jesus of Nazareth was a man certified by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs, which God did among you through Him, as you yourselves know. 23 He was handed over by God’s set plan and foreknowledge, and you, by the hands of the lawless, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross. 24 But God raised Him from the dead, releasing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for Him to be held in its clutches.… Acts 2: 22-24

5:3 In His ordinary providence, God makes use of means, though He is free to work apart from them, beyond them and contrary to them at His pleasure. 

…30 Meanwhile, the sailors attempted to escape from the ship. Pretending to lower anchors from the bow, they let the lifeboat down into the sea. 31 But Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men remain with the ship, you cannot be saved.” 32 So the soldiers cut the ropes to the lifeboat and set it adrift.… Acts 27: 30-32

…42 The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners so none of them could swim to freedom. 43 But the centurion, wanting to spare Paul’s life , thwarted their plan. He commanded those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. 44 The rest were to follow on planks and various parts of the ship. In this way everyone was brought safely to land.… Acts 27: 42-44

…10 For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return without watering the earth, making it bud and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat, 11 so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it.12 You will indeed go out with joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.… Isaiah 55: 10-12

…6 Gomer again conceived and gave birth to a daughter, and the LORD said to Hosea, “Name her Lo-ruhamah, for I will no longer have compassion on the house of Israel, that I should ever forgive them. 7 Yet I will have compassion on the house of Judah, and I will deliver them, not by bow or sword or war, not by horses and cavalry, but by the LORD their God.”  Hosea 1: 6-7

…19 Without weakening in his faith, he acknowledged the decrepitness of his body (since he was about a hundred years old) and the lifelessness of Sarah’s womb. 20 Yet he did not waver through disbelief in the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God was able to do what He had promised.… Romans 4: 19-21

…26 Then Nebuchadnezzar approached the door of the burning fiery furnace and called out, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out!” So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the fire, 27 and when the satraps, prefects, governors, and royal advisers had gathered around, they saw that the fire had no effect on the bodies of these men: Not a hair of their heads was singed, their robes were unaffected, and there was no smell of fire on them.28 Nebuchadnezzar declared, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent His Angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him. They violated the king’s command and risked their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.… Daniel 3: 26-28

God's providence provides means by which men may accomplish so many things, He calls in to being those tools of the mind and body that function and observe an ordered universe. We observe seasons, harvest, rain and so many natural functions that may be understood through science, yet God remains above all these things. The creation itself is a miracle, and being born again is in every way as much a miracle as being raised from the dead. People who look solely for miracles would have them be not miraculous, but common and therefore no longer miracles, and life chaotic and unpredictable. Or, some would have God become a genie that performed at their request.

In this way, we ignore the beauty of God's providence, His provision of normal means. For example:

• I grew up poor, or so I thought, and that is the way it was described to me by some, and the way I saw it when comparing myself to others. When I look back now, I see we had all we physically needed and there has never been a time in my life that I did not have more than what I actually needed. I thought I had nothing to give because I had less financially then other people.
• Lord, I want to give, but I am too poor. I had legs that could push a mower, and God provided us with a mower. I had hands that could pull weeds, hoe the earth, and we had a wonderful garden. My mom shared from our garden and though manna didn't fall from the sky, we caught fish and had a roof over our heads. 
• I could help paint someone's house, but that went against my laziness, and besides, I was poor so I thought I should only receive. I did not like to receive though because it went against my pride. I saw other kids my age that just played and got the things they wanted, so I wasted time envying what God had not given me, rather than thanking Him and using what I had. 
• I wished I knew the Bible better, I even prayed that, but here it was, God, in His providence provided these natural means, my eyes and my brain so that I could read. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. He said His word would not return void, and there it was gathering dust on my mantle. If I really wanted to know His word better, then I would pick it up, pray for the Holy Spirit to guide me, and start reading. 
• There are means in the Christian walk, things that take us from milk to meat, but so much of that I rejected. If only there were good pastors, but I wasn't seeking one. I would choose comfort over conviction. Being part of the body of Christ, but I prefer to study alone, and people are annoying. Being humble, but that's not my thing. Reading the word, rightly dividing the Scriptures, but that takes time away from my hobbies and tv. Prayer, but I don't know how to pray, and where could I find out about that? 

Sadly, we refuse the means God has given us, we see our bodies as temples to ourselves and not the Holy Spirit. We praise autonomy, referring to our bodies as our own, as if we created them. The indescribable Creator of the universe reaches out to us, tells us about our condition, our fallen state, His ownership of the world, and of His Holy nature, but somehow we think we know better than that. Our ideals of how things should work become our idols. What God should do but doesn't, in our reasoning, makes Him not God. It is truly a miracle that anyone comes to God, and that God chose me is a mystery I cannot comprehend, but I am forever grateful.

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#755 1689 Confession Creation

4:1 In the beginning God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit was pleased to create or make the world and all things in it, both visible and invisible, in a six-day period, and all very good. He did this to manifest the glory of His eternal power, wisdom and goodness. 

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made.… John 1: 1-3

1 On many past occasions and in many different ways, God spoke to our fathers through the prophets. 2 But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.… Hebrews 1: 1-3

…7 He commands the sun not to shine, and seals off the stars. 8 He alone stretches out the heavens, and treads on the waves of the sea. 9 He is the Maker of the Bear and Orion, of the Pleiades and the constellations of the south.… Job 9: 7-9

…3 Now brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall inform Me! 4 Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. 5 Who fixed its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched a measuring line across it?… Job 38: 3-5

15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.… Colossians 1: 15-17

…29 Then God said, “Behold, I have given you every seed-bearing plant on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit contains seed. They will be yours for food. 30 And to every beast of the earth and every bird of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth— everything that has the breath of life in it— I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. 31 And God looked upon all that He had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.…Genesis 1: 29-31

…19 For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts.… Romans 1: 19-21

4:2 After God had made all the other creatures, he created humanity. He made them male and female, with rational and immortal souls, thereby making them suited to that life lived unto God for which they were created. They were made in the image of God, being endowed with knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness. They had the law of God written in their hearts and the power to fulfill it. Even so, they could still transgress the law, because they were left to the liberty of their own will, which was subject to change. 

…26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness, to rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, and over all the earth itself and every creature that crawls upon it.” 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth.”… Genesis 1: 26-28

…6 But springs welled up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground. 7 Then the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils,and the man became a living being. 8 And the LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, where He placed the man He had formed.… Genesis 2: 6-8

…28 While my soul was still searching but not finding, among a thousand I have found one upright man, but among all these I have not found a virtuous woman. 29 Only this have I found: I have discovered that God made men upright, but they have sought out many schemes.” Ecclesiastes 7: 28-29

…5“For God knows that in the day you eat of it, your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eyes, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom, she took the fruit and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, and he ate it. 7 And the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; so they sewed together fig leaves and made coverings for themselves.… Genesis 3: 5-8

…14 Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law, 15 since they show that the work of the Law is written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts either accusing or defending them.16 This will come to pass on that day when God will judge men’s secrets through Christ Jesus, as proclaimed by my gospel.… Romans 2: 14 -16

4:3 In addition to the law written in their hearts, they received a command not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. As long as they obeyed this command, they were happy in their communion with God and had dominion over the creatures.

…16 And the LORD God commanded him, “You may eat freely from every tree of the garden, 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; for in the day that you eat of it,you will surely die.” 18 The LORD God also said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make for him a suitable helper.”… Genesis 2: 16-18

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#754 1689 Confession God's Decree Part 3

3:6 Just as God has appointed the elect to glory, so He has by the eternal and completely free purpose of His will foreordained all the means. Therefore, those who are elected, being fallen in Adam, are redeemed by Christ and effectually called to faith in Christ by His Spirit working at the appropriate time. They are justified, adopted, sanctified, and kept by His power through faith to salvation. None but the elect are redeemed by Christ, or effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved. 

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the exiles of the Dispersion throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, chosen 2 chosen by the foreknowledge of God the Father and sanctified by the Spirit for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by His blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,… 1 Peter 1: 1-3

12 in order that judgment will come upon all who have disbelieved the truth and delighted in wickedness. 13 But we should always thank God for you, brothers who are loved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning to be saved by the sanctification of the Spirit and by faith in the truth. 14 To this He called you through our gospel, so that you may share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.… 2 Thessalonians 2: 12-14

…9 For God has not appointed us to suffer wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that,whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him.11 Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing.… 1 Thessalonians 5: 9-11

29 For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those He predestined He also called; those He called He also justified; those He justified He also glorified. 31 What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?… Romans 8: 29-31

4 and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are protected by God’s power for the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials… 1 Peter 1: 4-6

…25“I already told you,” Jesus replied, “but you did not believe. The works I do in My Father’s name testify on My behalf. 26 But because you are not My sheep, you refuse to believe. 27 My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.…John 10: 25-27

…8 For I have given them the words You gave Me, and they have received them. They knew with certainty that I came from You, and they believed that You sent Me. 9 I ask on their behalf. I do not ask on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those You have given Me; for they are Yours. 10 All I have is Yours, and all You have is Mine; and in them I have been glorified.… John 17: 8-10

…63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. 64 However, there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray Him.) 65 Then Jesus said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to Me unless the Father has granted it to him.”… John 6: 63-65

3:7 The doctrine of the high mystery of predestination is to be handled with special prudence and care so that those heeding the will of God revealed in His Word and obeying Him may be assured of their eternal election by the certainty of their effectual calling. In this way this doctrine will give reasons for praise, reverence, and admiration of God, as well as humility, diligence and rich comfort to all who sincerely obey the gospel. 

…9 But whoever lacks these traits is nearsighted to the point of blindness, having forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you practice these things you will never stumble, 11 and you will receive a lavish reception into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.… 2 Peter 1: 9-11

For God has consigned all men to disobedience so that He may have mercy on them all. 33 O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and untraceable His ways! 34“Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?”… Romans 11: 32-34

…5 In the same way, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. 6 And if it is by grace, then it is no longer by works.Otherwise, grace would no longer be grace. 7 What then? What Israel was seeking, it failed to obtain, but the elect did. The others were hardened,… Romans 11: 5-7

…19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” 20 That is correct: They were broken off because of unbelief, but you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid.21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you either.… Romans 11: 19-21

…19 See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you,but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” 21 At that time, Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was well-pleasing in Your sight.… Luke 10: 19-21

Great video below, short clip on election from one of the best teachers of our age.

…7 And when they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not permit them. 8 So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. 9 During the night, Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”… Acts 16: 7-9

…13 On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate along the river, where it was customary to find a place of prayer. After sitting down, we spoke to the women who had gathered there. 14 Among those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. 15 And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.… Acts 16: 13-15

These are difficult doctrines, contrary to our natural, fallen, humanist minds. It goes against most of the evangelical churches teaching in our day. It is not the gospel my way or the gospel according to man. God does not change and neither does His gospel. When we look out across pews and see empty spaces, this has no bearing on what pastors are supposed to preach. When we share the gospel and people laugh, throw you in prison, or say all manner of evil against you, slander you, it is not a queue to change the message. Jesus presented difficult teachings to people He had performed miracles in front of, people he had given physical food to, but when He spoke of His body and blood, denying ourselves and taking up the cross, many turned away. God does not apologize for the gospel, but rather refers to it as His power unto salvation, and for that Paul says, I am not ashamed. 

The doctrines of grace should uphold God's sovereignty, but also encourage us to boldly proclaim God's salvation to a lost world. It is not on our own might or in our own power, but by God's Spirit. The Lord opened Lydia's heart to receive the message. 

which is not even a gospel. Evidently some people are troubling you and trying to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a divine curse! 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you embraced, let him be under a curse!… Galatians 1: 7-9

…7 Do not be amazed that I said, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes. You hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” 9“How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.…John 3: 7-9

When I was a child I came forward at the end of a sermon, it was a moving, emotional experience, and they played that great old hymn, "Just as I am." I said a repeat after me prayer, and then someone let me know that I now had Jesus in my heart, and they wrote it down on a registry, they recorded how many people came forward, how many people attended church, slam, bam, thank you, mam. They had it down to a science, people making decisions, joining the church, some referred to themselves as deal closers. I think what we call the church today has gone back to a Roman Catholic understanding of salvation, that has entertainers instead of priests, dynamic speakers instead of Popes, but just like Catholicism it has men providing assurance rather than the Holy Spirit and the fruit of a changed life. I hated the doctrine of election as a young man, or examining myself in comparison to Christ or His word. It was just easy to walk down the aisle, say a prayer, get a certificate, but whatever registry the church owned, it was not the Lamb's book of Life. I had no remorse over my sin, no desire to repent, yet the call to everyone was repent and be saved. I had sins that I did not want to call that, even though God called them that, and what I could hide from people I could not hide from a God that looked at my heart. I had a form of godliness but denied the power thereof. I was happy with someone from the church telling me I was born again, and I always reverted back to that for my comfort, but there was no change of heart, no continued conviction over sin, no mourning, no shame in that my actions betrayed the name of Christ. I didn't want to go to hell because I heard it was a bad place, but I didn't want to die to myself either. I wanted to go to heaven because I heard that was the better place, but when I thought of a Holy God, I didn't want Him to be there. I wanted salvation on my terms, but all along, the Scriptures maintain that Salvation is of the Lord. 

I love these doctrines now, not for the sake of debate, not for the lineage of great men who have preached them, but because it is what the Scriptures teach. I will be just as happy to call Wesley, George MacDonald, Ravi Zacharias, and C.S. Lewis brethren as I am to be numbered among reformers like Calvin, Spurgeon, MacArthur and R.C. Sproul. These are doctrines that divide, but let us discuss these things in love, not to my own honor, but that Christ be glorified.

When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2 For I decided to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling.… 1 Corinthians 2: 1-3

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