Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 18, 2011

Unconditional Election

Today’s devotion comes from Romans 5:6-8.
 
“6  For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
 
7  For one will hardly die for a righteous man;  though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die.
 
8  But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”  Romans 5:6-8.
 
———————————
 
Christ’s death for us, and thus salvation, is not based on our worthiness to be saved.  We did not do enough works.  We were not holy or virtuous enough.  We were not humble enough.  We were not cute.  We did not even ask to be rescued like a drowning man might wave his hand for help.  We were “the ungodly”.  We were “still helpless”.  We were “yet sinners”.
 
Our condition was “Total Depravity”, the “T” of “TULIP”, described in graphic detail two chapters earlier. 
 
“10  as it is written,   
 
“THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE;
11  THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS,
THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD;
12  ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS;
THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD,
THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE.”
13  “THEIR THROAT IS AN OPEN GRAVE,
WITH THEIR TONGUES THEY KEEP DECEIVING,”
“THE POISON OF ASPS IS UNDER THEIR LIPS”;
14  “WHOSE MOUTH IS FULL OF CURSING AND BITTERNESS”;
15  “THEIR FEET ARE SWIFT TO SHED BLOOD,
16  DESTRUCTION AND MISERY ARE IN THEIR PATHS,
17  AND THE PATH OF PEACE THEY HAVE NOT KNOWN.”
18  “THERE IS NO FEAR OF GOD BEFORE THEIR EYES.”  Romans 3:10-18.
 
There is not one condition that we could hold up to God to motivate Him to elect us for salvation.  Thus, God’s election of us is “Unconditional Election”, the “U” of “TULIP”. 

This understanding of “Unconditional Election” makes us better appreciate His love for us.  “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”  Romans 5:6-8.

This understanding of “Unconditional Election” also gives us courage to face this Monday and each day.  We may not feel holy or virtuous enough.  We may not feel humble enough or that we did not enough works.  But, we believe that God loved us and that Christ died for us. 

Our faith is not based on us;  our faith is based on God.  And so, we go forth this Monday and each day with peace and joy fully trusting God based on the understanding of “Unconditional Election”.  

“For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;  and these whom He predestined, He also called;  and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

What then shall we say to these things?  If God is for us, who is against us?  He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?  Who will bring a charge against God’s elect?  God is the one who justifies;  who is the one who condemns?  Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.”  Romans 8:29-24.

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