A few months ago, Andrew Sheffield, our chief musician, introduced an old, new song into the congregational singing at Faith Community Church. In part, the song says "My Lord, I did not choose you, for that could never be. My heart would still refuse you, had you not chosen me".
If I were an arminian, that would be absolutely scandalous. There is, however, a clear biblical precedent for such an assertion. No less an authority than Jesus made that precise statement to his earthly disciples. He assured them that they were not following him out of their own motivation and desire, but rather, because he had selected (chosen) them from among all of Adam's fallen race - to be his followers. He opined(!), "You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you ....". Well, it was more than an opinion. For sure, he also chose Judas, who would be the God ordained betrayer, but that's another issue, with its own implications.
I know this doesn't 'set well' with believers in libertarian (un-fettered) free-will, but it seems to be a true representation of the works and purposes of God.
Therefore, when we sing "My Lord, I did not choose you .....", I do so lustily, with gusto. I know myself to be a child of unmitigated free grace - otherwise, I would be a life-long, and throughout eternity, child of the devil.
As C. H. Spurgeon so eloquently postulated, salvation is ALL OF GRACE. Another way of putting it: Salvation is OF THE LORD.
I know this doesn't 'set well' with believers in libertarian (un-fettered) free-will, but it seems to be a true representation of the works and purposes of God.
Therefore, when we sing "My Lord, I did not choose you .....", I do so lustily, with gusto. I know myself to be a child of unmitigated free grace - otherwise, I would be a life-long, and throughout eternity, child of the devil.
As C. H. Spurgeon so eloquently postulated, salvation is ALL OF GRACE. Another way of putting it: Salvation is OF THE LORD.
No comments:
Post a Comment