Doctrine in Focus: Sovereign Election

Courtesy of Dr Steven Lawson, from his excellent book Foundations of Grace.

Consistent with the other authors of Scripture, Nehemiah wrote about the doctrine of sovereign election. He recognized that, out of the mass of lost humanity, God had determined whom He would save. Since men are totally depraved and will not seek God, it is necessary that God make a distinguishing choice to save. It is obvious, then, that the reason some are saved and others are lost lies entirely with God. All of mankind would remain lost if left to themselves. But God chose His people from among those who were not seeking Him. Never was this truth more clearly seen than in the case of Abraham:

"You are the Lord, the God who chose Abram....." - Nehemiah 9:7a

From among the unconverted multitudes in the land of Ur, God chose Abraham. He did not make this choice on the basis of any good works within Abraham, whether actual or potential. Neither did He make it on the basis of foreseen faith in Abraham. Rather, this sovereign choice originated exclusively within God. Regarding this lofty truth, James Montgomery Boice writes, "Notice that God is the subject of every action: (1) 'You ....chose Abram and brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans and named him Abraham,' (2) 'You found his heart faithful to You,' (3) 'You made a covenant with him,' and (4) 'You have kept Your promise.'....The emphasis is entirely upon God." Boice is right. According to God's inscrutable wisdom, He chooses whom He will for reasons known only to Himself. As it was with Abraham, so it is with all God's elect.  Continue at Vince and Lori