229 – God’s Purpose Toward the “Non-elect”

SEMESTER 2

229 – God’s Purpose Toward the “Non-elect”

BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE

COURSE:  SOTERIOLOGY II LESSON # 29
GOD’S PURPOSE TOWARD THE “NONELECT”

Read Rom 9:19-22.

INTRODUCTION:

1. The chief objections to the doctrine of sovereign, soteriological election lie:

i. Not in biblical denial or shortage of Scriptures which state it,
ii. But in logical complexities which seem to flow from its teaching.

2. Not the least of these is God’s apparent attitude toward the “nonelect,” under the sovereign grace economy.

I. THE FALSE CONCLUSION FREQUENTLY DRAWN

1. If there is an elect people, which does not include all, then there is of necessity a “nonelect” people.
2. While there may be much logic in this conclusion, I think we are hard put to prove it biblically.
3. This rationalization concludes that if God sovereignly chooses men to life that by not choosing others, He in fact chooses them for condemnation.
4. Thus they conclude that if God, by sovereign election is creditable with the salvation of the saved, He is equally creditable with the rejection and thus damnation of the lost.

II. NECESSARY QUESTIONS ON THIS MATTER

1. From what state are the elect chosen?
2. To what are the elect chosen?
3. Who chooses the continuing state of the rest?
4. Do the “nonelect” obey or resist God in their downward journey?

III. FROM WHAT STATE ARE THE ELECT CHOSEN

(Gen 3:22-24, Eph 2:1-3, 1Co 15:22a)

1. Soteriological reasoning which starts wrongly, must always end wrongly.

i. It does not start in Eden, but outside.
ii. It does not start with neutrality, but with pursuit of sin.
iii. It does not start with living men who need to be directed, but with dead men who must be resurrected.

2. Thus we must never see the “nonelect” being placed where he is, by “nonelection.”
3. He is logically there, though not chronologically, when election starts.

IV. TO WHAT ARE THE ELECT CHOSEN

1. The constant negative caricature is, “I do not believe God chose some men to heaven and others for hell.” Nor do I! I see no such idea in Scripture.

i. Soteriological election is only to salvation, never to condem­nation biblically. (Eph 1:4, 2Th 2:13)
ii. Logic may conclude that one equals the other, but the Bible teaches the opposite. (Act 17:30, Act 7:51-53)
iii. Thus he is to be seen as chosen out of a present state, to be placed into a different state.

V. WHO CHOOSES THE CONTINUING STATE OF THE REST

1. While it is obvious that God saw fit to permit Adam to fall and many of his descendants to so remain, neither can be rightly seen as His will of approbation.

i. He commanded Adam not to eat of the forbidden fruit.
ii. He commands all men everywhere to repent.

VI. DO THE “NONELECT” OBEY OR RESIST GOD IN THEIR HELL BOUND JOURNEY

1. Man chose to defy God’s revealed will at the fall.
2. Man yet chooses to defy God’s revealed will as he continues in sin. (Rom 1:21-32)
3. Thus the choice in the direction of sin and damnation is man’s.
4. The choice in the direction of repentance and life is God’s. (Act 11:18)

Conclusion: Though we may not understand all aspects of eternal purpose, we should clearly see that sovereign election of those who will be saved is in no way responsible for the damnation of the lost.

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