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Morning Thoughts |
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Morning Thoughts |
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I
Thessalonians 1:4-5, "Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.
For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in
the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we
were among you for your sake." This morning, people's ability to think critically is rapidly declining. Part of critical analysis is the connection of "logical links." What we mean by this is that a subject is analyzed wherein the different facets of that subject are then connected together in the analysis by way of logical construction. When studying the word of God, we understand that there is a prerequisite to the understanding of the Book (being born again), but God is a very logical, structured Being that has ordered things to make sense in the way that they operate and function. Whenever we see disorder, disarray, confusion, etc., we must understand that man is at the heart of those events, for God does things that are good and very good (ordered and structured). So, to understand different concepts in God's written word, we must examine them in the light of how they connect, and they most certainly connect in logical fashion. Quite often, opponents of Biblical doctrines like election, predestination, etc. will point to their "illogical link" that states, "That leaves nothing for man to do." Being posed with a perfect and complete work of God (as upheld by the Bible), they assume that man has nothing meaningful to do in this world, failing to understand that God has commanded us to build and work upon what He has already done in our lives. As a minister, one of the arguments that gets hurled at me repeatedly by those of other orders is simply this, "If election and predestination are true, then you have no reason to preach." A man at work not long ago used this very construct to try to find a hole in our theology. When talking with this man about these different subjects, I asked him a series of questions. If he did not believe in predestination and election, did he believe that his pastor was getting people saved to heaven by his preaching? The man answered in the affirmative. I then queried if their group believed in eternal security or the idea of "once saved always saved?" Again, he answered in the affirmative. My final question was did the preacher keep preaching to them once he got them saved? He responded quite quickly and positively that of course the preacher kept preaching to them. My simple conclusion was why? Why preach to them after he has already gotten them saved! Once they are saved, his purpose with them would make about as much sense as my preaching would by his line of thought! Quite simply, the Bible makes a very logical connection between preaching and election, as Paul does in the verses above. Preaching is not what cements the election (makes it so), nor is preaching in some way a guarantee to the elect. Rather, preaching and its associated response among the elect is the most positive assurance that we have in this world that we are the elect of God. While there are other evidences of this gracious state that we have (such as love, joy, etc.) the response to the gospel and the preaching of the gospel has a power that cannot be found elsewhere. (Romans 1:16-17) Paul connects his assured knowledge of the Thessalonian brethren's elect state with their joyful reception to the gospel. That is not Paul's reason for preaching (to find out if they are or not), but it was comforting to Paul to be able to state with positive satisfaction that they were. Furthermore, Paul makes it plain that this scene of the evidence of God's election among His people must come with factors that Paul could not control. In verse 5, Paul shows what the gospel minister brings to the table and what God brings to the table during this scene of rejoicing and fellowship. Paul declares that the gospel did not come in word only. That means that the word did come. That was not all that came, but the word did come. Paul was responsible for bringing the word unto them, for he was to preach the words of God and not his opinions, dreams, etc. (Jeremiah 23:28) Since everyone has opinions that vary from man to man, those are not suitable topics for discussion when the gospel is to go forth. Rather, God's words of doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness are to be heralded. (II Timothy 3:16-17) So, Paul was responsible for bringing the word unto them and preaching it faithfully as he instructed Timothy to do. (II Timothy 4:2) There is a rather far-out notion that I have run across from time to time that I like to term the "cork popping theory." These men believe that God takes a minister, opens up his mind, and pours everything in, to flow right out of his mouth like popping the cork off a bottle and pouring it into a glass. This idea is used, I believe, to justify not studying as a minister should, but should that idea be true, I have never preached a "real" sermon in my life. Since my sermons have misquotations, a stumbling tongue, and stammering speech, I could not have really preached a real sermon as God would not pour such flaws and inconsistencies in during the effort. No dear friends, a minister is responsible for bringing the word and being familiar with it as he needs to have knowledge of the subject matter to be able to discuss and expound upon it. However, gospel preaching is more than just a verbal exercise of public speaking. For it to corroborate that blessed position that we have of being the elect of God, it must have something else associated with it that testifies to such. Paul declares that the gospel must have more than the word, and it must - namely - have 1. power, 2. Holy Ghost, and 3. much assurance. These last three items are those that Paul could not snap his fingers and conjure up at a moment's notice. No doubt all ministers, after an effort with rotten liberty, would like to have that power. But, God is the one that bestows the power of preaching on those blessed occasions for the gospel to go forth unto His heritage. This presence of God is specifically attributed to the personage of the Holy Ghost, and the end result of the power and Holy Ghost's presence is the assurance that the hearers receive - a manifest token to them of their elect state with God. While this blessed time is not something that all the elect will have in this life, it is something that only the elect of God can enjoy and receive in this fashion. To those that are one day going to depart into the lowest regions of shame and contempt, the gospel and everything about it is foolish and illogical. (I Corinthians 2:14) To those that have been touched by God, feel the pricking of conscience for their sins, and desire to do better than they do, the gospel is a refreshing breeze that ignites the fire in the soul to warm the spirit from the world's icy touch. When these times of refreshing and assurance come, we are shown once again our blessed position as God's children and encouraged in the good way to live and enjoy that position. To the "minister" that must save someone to heaven, he has very little to offer once that saving is done as that is his main purpose. To the gospel minister that encourages people and tells them about what God has done for them with the Holy Ghost present and assuring the hearts of the hearers, his purpose never ceases while life and breath remain. His call to feed, instruct, and diligently labour among God's elect family out of love to God continues until this life is over. And oh what sweet scenes are declared! When speaking of our position, how we got there, and feeling that assurance in the soul that corroborates the evidence presented by the minister, how small do we look in comparison to Him! Yet, how prized by Him do we feel, even though small! (Deuteronomy 7:6-8) How much do we yet not understand about it! As is so often the case, the subject of election brings many questions that I cannot answer to the fullest degree. One of them is why did He do it? Simply put, He loved us and chose to do it. Then, why did He love us and choose us? Simply put, His good purpose and will was to do so. (Ephesians 1:3-6) Beyond that, I have not many answers. It is hard for me to comprehend a perfect and holy One loving imperfect and unholy people. It is hard to comprehend Him standing where we should have stood so that we would one day be where He is in the shining portals of glory. However, as little as I understand about that situation and position here, my duty is to preach what I know as faithfully as I know praying that He supply the power, presence, and assurance for the time. If those three factors are present, the congregation should have good evidence to feel their election, and understand that the manner of man I am shows that the display was not of me but God's power in the message. Finally, what I cannot preach now (for lack of knowledge), I have assurance will be supplied in glory some sweet day. Seeing that our election is bound up in His love, will, and choice, how much about God's love and will do we understand here? I understand very little. However, one day I hope to be able to embrace my Saviour in my arms and know Him even as He knows me. (I Corinthians 13:12) As He can see into the thoughts and intents of my heart (Hebrews 4:12), so then do I expect to see into the thoughts and intents of His heart. Then I shall know in its fullest sense what manner of love He has for us. I will then know all about that choice of election and will to do so, for then I shall see Him face to face. At that day, the peace and presence of God will overflow us in ceaseless waves of eternity. May we look unto that blessed time enjoying these seasons of refreshing here with the understanding that it connects to our election by the logical link of manifestation and evidence. In Hope, Bro Philip 
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