Morning, October 28, edited from Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening

“But I chose you out of the world.” — John 15:19

Here is distinguishing grace and discriminating regard, for some are made the special objects of divine affection. Do not be afraid to dwell upon this high doctrine of election. When your mind is most heavy and depressed, you will find it to be a bottle of the richest drink. Those who doubt the doctrines of grace, or who relegate them into the shade, miss the richest clusters of Eshcol; they lose the most well refined wines, the tastiest rib eye steak. There is no fragrant ointment in Gilead comparable to it. If the honey Jonathan found in the woods enlightened the eyes when only touched, this is honey which will enlighten your heart to love and learn the mysteries of the kingdom of God. Eat, and fear not an oversupply; live upon this choice delicacy, and do not fear that it will be too delicate a diet. Meat from the King’s table will hurt none of his royal companions. Desire to have your mind enlarged, that you may comprehend more and more the eternal, everlasting, discriminating love of God. When you have climbed as high to consider election, spend time on its sister mount, the covenant of grace. Covenant engagements are the outcroppings of breathtaking rock behind which we lie entrenched; covenant engagements with the security, Christ Jesus, are the quiet resting-places of apprehensive spirits.

“His oath, his covenant, his blood,

Support me in the raging flood;

When every earthly prop gives way,

This still is all my strength and stay.”

If Jesus undertook to bring me to glory, and if the Father promised that he would give me to the Son to be a part of the infinite reward of the suffering of his soul; then, till God himself shall be unfaithful, till Jesus shall cease to be the truth, my soul, you are safe. When David danced before the ark, he told Michal that election made him do so. Come, my soul, exult before the God of grace and leap for joy of heart.

 

Editor’s Notes:  Ah, “Election” comes up again. I would ask my readers to refer to the notes on Evening, July 29^th and Morning, August 2^nd, and to read John 15 in its entirety.

David refers to the Lord in 2 Samuel 6 as the one who chose (elected?) him as king, and therefore he “will celebrate before the Lord.”

Though I sometimes change the word “election” to “selection” in my editing, I have no problem with the doctrine of election as referenced in Scripture, but just a bit with the hyper-Calvinistic interpretation.

According to Foreknowledge.   “To those … who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.” — 1 Peter 1:2