Thoughts on personal election

I understand the scripture to declare that Jesus, having submitted to the will of God, offered Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of the whole world in order that the whole world, through Him, might be redeemed.

1st John 2

1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

1st Timothy 2

3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

I think many of us agree on how we are drawn by the Holy Spirit through Jesus to the Father. I suspect many would also agree that this is an act of God and not of man. It seems the greatest differences in our understanding concern the extent of the mercy of God toward all men, God’s will concerning all men and God’s determination regarding the necessity that a man must choose to believe God. I suspect the last of these the greatest point of contention.

I would interpret the scripture in 1st John and 1st Timothy to clearly indicate that it is the will of God that all men be saved. Knowing therefore that Jesus is that way and that He is the propitiation for the sins of the whole world I must ask as you do, if Jesus is the propitiation for the sins of the whole world and it is the will of God that all men be saved how can it be that there are those in danger of damnation? The answer I find is that God does not force his mercy on any man but instead He has made it available to all men and determined that it be within their will alone to accept it or reject it. God in His infinite mercy reveals to us our need for reconciliation and the way it is accomplished through belief in Jesus. He draws us to Him but He does not force us to reconcile, to accept His Word, to believe in Him. A compulsory act is not an act of faith. This would be akin to the “faith” that was produced as a consequence of the Strasbourg catechism and confession of faith as well as other similar acts such as the crusades. The missing essential element with a forced confession of faith is that there is no faith on the part of the confessor, only fear.

I consider the mercy of God beyond my comprehension just as I consider His power beyond anything my feeble mind could imagine. I suppose (even hope) that we could discuss both for eternity. I understand that His mercy is available to all through Jesus, however not all accept His mercy. With respect to the will of God I can only refer to the scripture as I assure you I have no secret revelation. The scripture I offer as the basis of my belief really is the only leg I have to stand on, and the only one I need. We can continue to examine each verse if you like. Where we seem to differ is in reconciling what the scripture says with our own perception of God, His will and His sovereignty. I pray I would never say or do anything to lead anyone to believe that God is any less than all mighty, omnipotent and sovereign in all things. I am equally as prayerful that I might never lead anyone to believe that God is any less than all merciful, all loving and all kind. I do not see a conflict in this apparent duality but rather a glimpse of perfection that goes far beyond my own ability to comprehend. In truth, I don’t think I am capable of fully understanding, let alone, describing all that God has done in order that we might be reconciled to Him. Still, when all is said and done we must all agree this fact remains:

John 3:36

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.