September 25
THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD / PART 2
THE PURPOSE OF GOD ACCORDING TO ELECTION
-Romans 9:10-13 states, … And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father
Isaac; ( For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according
to election might stand, not of works, but of Him that calls; ) It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.
As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated …
-The above mentioned scriptures speak of one of the aspects of God’s sovereignty that is little talked
about and little understood. It speaks of THE PURPOSE OF GOD ACCORDING TO "ELECTION". The word “election” simply
means: to choose, or select for oneself. Does God CHOOSE certain people over other people? Does God harden or soften people’s
hearts to do or not do certain things? Does God have mercy on some and not on others? Does God choose certain people to be
vessels of wrath and others to be vessels of mercy ( vessels of dishonor and honor )? YES! YES! YES! YES!
-Romans 9:17 tells us that GOD RAISED UP PHARAOH, AND THEN HARDENED HIS HEART, that His ( God’s ) name
would be declared throughout all the earth. If there was no Pharaoh, and no slavery of God’s people to this Pharaoh,
then there would be no need for a mighty deliverance of God’s people, which included mighty plagues, and the parting
of the Red Sea. Can you see why it was NECESSARY FOR GOD TO HARDEN PHARAOH’S HEART? It was His purpose according to
"election".
-The scriptures also tell us that the disciples of Christ did not choose Him, but that HE ( Jesus ) CHOSE THEM
( John 15:16 ). The apostle Paul is also referred to as a CHOSEN VESSEL in Acts 9:15. As a matter of fact, ALL BELIEVERS in
this present age are referred to as A CHOSEN GENERATION ( 1st Peter 2:9 ), for we have been elected according to
the foreknowledge of God the Father ( 1st Peter 1:2 ). Ephesians 1:4,5 states, … According as He
has chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love:
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure
of His will, ...
-The next aspect of God’s sovereignty that we will attempt to speak of will be the foreknowledge
of God. As we recognize God’s sovereignty, WE ARE ACTUALLY MAGNIFYING AND GLORIFYING HIM to the extent that His name
would be declared throughout all the earth. The more God’s sovereignty is understood, the bigger He becomes in our eyes.
Remember …
-GREAT IS THE LORD, AND GREATLY TO BE PRAISED!-
