Theology Thursday

Not only that, but Rebekah’s children were conceived at the same time by our father Isaac. Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God’s purpose in election might stand: not by works but by him who calls—she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”

What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! For he says to Moses,

“I will have mercy on whom I have mercy,
    and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”

It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.

Romans 9:10-16

We are working through a Theology Thursday series on Reformed Theology or what is sometimes called “Calvinism.” In the early 1600’s some Christians came up with a simple acronym TULIP that captured five basic points of what the Bible says about humanity and the good news about Jesus. The U stands for Unconditional Election.

Why do some people find Christ and others don’t? It often seems a strange mystery to us. Some people, to our complete surprise, walk away from the Lord while others come to Him out of the blue. We know the Holy Spirit is at work but why these people and not others.

Unconditional Election is the answer to this question. That before the foundation of the earth God had elected some to receive mercy and others to not. He did this based on no condition other than His sovereign choice.

We find this a very hard teaching of the Bible. Our culture emphasises fairness and individual autonomy and unconditional election seems to offend both. The Apostle Paul predicts this very challenge in response to God’s rejection of Israel. Is God unjust? No.

God has said that He will choose whom to have mercy on. Now, how does that answer the justice challenge? Well, let’s do it this way:

Q: What does God owe us? A: Nothing. 
Q: What do we owe God? Life, worship & everything.
Q: What have we given God? Rejection, rebellion & sin.
Q: How should God respond? Justice on sinners.

This must be our starting point. That God owes humanity nothing but justice for their sins. Therefore, to receive mercy is not an entitlement but pure grace. There is no injustice, Christ suffers the punishment for sin on behalf of sinners (more on this in the coming weeks).

But what about fairness? Again, perfect fairness would be that we receive the wages we have earned - judgement. But why do we think everything should be perfectly fair? Where does that come from? It hasn’t come from the Bible.

Unconditional Election is jarring in our time. But ultimately, we need to consider this. The Bible doesn’t just say that God will show mercy to whom He shows mercy. The Bible also says, Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble (2 Peter 1:10).

We aren’t to sit around and wonder, am I or aren’t I? Are they or aren’t they? We are to do everything we can to make sure of our election by trusting in Jesus ourselves. And we are to do everything we can for others, encouraging them to trust in Jesus. Confident that God’s preference is to show mercy.

For Today:

• Do you struggle with predestination/election?
• How could it be good to know that your salvation was based on God’s choice?
• Do you trust in God’s goodness?

Pray: Praise the Father that He is just, merciful and good. Give thanks for Jesus Christ who freely chose to die in the place of God’s people. Ask God for His Holy Spirit to keep you trusting in Jesus and draw others to Him.