Don McCauley sermon- Sainthood
The topic of election is often a controversial one for Christians but actually has a simple telling that removes all misconceptions. Unlike in the Roman Catholic church the Bible teaches that all Christains are saints chosen in eternity past for good works.
Christ died once for all mankind that salvation from sin be offered to all mankind. The trouble is no-one would accept this salvation, although freely offered none not even one would accept. This is a predicament. Through Adam's sin at the fall all have inherited a sin nature by birth and added to that all sin by choice. This sin of nature and choice produces a spiritual death. Christ died for that sin but because we are dead in our sin we all freely choose hell, not one of us would choose the life Jesus offers through his sacrifice on the cross. Thankfully God the Father in his mercy chose some to be the church, the bride of Christ, a reward for his obedience unto death.
This throws up a few obvious questions that the passage can help us to answer. The answers are not complete as we do not yet have a full knowledge of the wonders of salvation but the answers we do have God in his grace offers to us.
If we are spiritually dead how do reach a position where we can accept this gift from God? The answer is through the working of the Holy Spirit in the elect to convict us of our sin.
If not all of us are chosen by what process were some chosen over others? The passage tells us that God "chose the foolish in the world to shame the wise, God chose the weak in the world to shame the strong. God chose the low and despised in the world, even things that are not to bring to nothing things that are."
Why did God choose this process? The passage again tells us the reason is "that no human being might boast in the presence of God."
And so being chosen God quickens our dead spirit that we might be awakened to the conviction of sin through the Holy Spirit and believe in the sacrifice of Christ on our behalf. What do we get in return? Unimagined grace... in being united in Christ he imparts to us his Righteousness that our legal staus before God is reversed. He imparts to us his sanctification through the work of the Holy Spirit that changes our will to seek holiness instead of evil and empowers us in that good work whereas before we were powerless to do good. He imparts to us his redemption that the whole of us be saved not just the spirit but the body also will be redeemed at the end of the age. He will transform our lowely bodies to be like his heavenly body 1 John 3!
This is the doctrine of election this is the gospel this is the Good News! What can our response be but to fall down at his feet in abundant thankfulness and worship...!
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