2-Doctrine of Salvation: Election, pt1

Reformer Martin Luther exclaimed, "No man can be thoroughly humbled until he knows that his salvation is utterly beyond his own powers, devices, endeavors, will, and works, and depends entirely on the choice, will, and work of another, namely, of God alone." The biblical teaching on divine election is one of the most disturbing doctrines to many people. There are some who even hate the very thought of God's sovereign choice in salvation. To some, it seems unjust and an affront to their personal sense of fairness. They find it emotionally unacceptable, as they conclude that it makes God unloving and unjust. Yet, far from making God a monster, divine, sovereign, unmerited selection by God sets forth His otherness and separateness from sinners such as us. Our sinfulness affects the entirety of our being (as discussed in total depravity) even our thought process (noetic affects of sin on the mind). God warns, "You thought that I was just like you" (Ps 50:21). Further, "'My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,' declares the LORD, 'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts'" (Isa 55:8-9). His ways are incomprehensible, unresolvable, and inscrutable to us! In our ongoing study of "The Doctrine of Salvation" in midweek Bible study, we'll transition from Total Depravity (our NEED for salvation), to "Divine Election: The Sovereign & Unmerited Selection by God", pt1 which begins answering HOW we are saved.