Election: A Stumbling Block?

My dear young friends,

Election is from eternity, and the reason for election is the free sovereign pleasure of the Lord. The doctrine of election is a stumbling block for many people. Many churches deny election; they teach free will doctrine. They teach that man must make a decision. This is not to the honor of God. If it were for man to decide, it would be an election by man. But no, my young friends, man does not elect the Creator of heaven and earth to be their God, but God has elected those who shall be His children, and those who shall not. This is a comfort for God’s people. They know by the discovering light of the Spirit of God that by nature they would never have desired to seek the Lord. They must confess: “I am prone by nature to hate God and my neighbor.”

My young friends will perhaps say, “Yes, this is a comfort for God’s people, but what does it mean to persons who are unconverted?” For them it is a reason to pray for conversion. Young friends, if there were no election, there would be no salvation either. The preaching of the gospel is a fruit of election. If there were no election, the invitations of the gospel would not be extended to us time and again. We would not have a Bible in our home. Some people might say, “If God has elected those who shall be saved, does anything make a difference, or am I still responsible?” Yes, we are! The Lord has included the means to salvation also. Isaiah knew about election, but nevertheless he preached in chapter 55:6, “Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near.” This is the duty of every minister to extend this call to the people. Not that it is up to the people to perform this spiritual obligation, but in dependency upon the Lord.

The doctrine of election must humble us before God. The outward call to salvation is not enough for fallen man; it must be blessed from above. Jesus said in Matthew 20:16, “Many are called, but few chosen.” Young friends, perhaps you shall wonder, “Is the gospel call extended to the unconverted also?” Yes, it is. We read in the Canons of Dordt, Head III–IV, Article 8: “As many as are called by the gospel, are unfeignedly called. For God hath most earnestly and truly declared in His Word, what will be acceptable to Him; namely, that all who are called, should comply with the invitation. He, moreover, seriously promises eternal life, and rest, to as many as shall come to Him, and believe on Him.” In Article 9 we read: “It is not the fault of the gospel, nor of Christ, offered therein, nor of God, who calls men by the gospel, and confers upon them various gifts, that those who are called by the ministry of the word, refuse to come, and be converted: the fault lies in themselves; some of whom when called, regardless of their danger, reject the word of life; others, though they receive it, suffer it not to make a lasting impression on their heart; therefore, their joy, arising only from a temporary faith, soon vanishes, and they fall away; while others choke the seed of the word by perplexing cares, and the pleasures of this world, and produce no fruit. This our Saviour teaches in the parable of the sower. (Matthew 13).”

Young friends, if we are honest with ourselves, we must admit that the gospel invitation is extended to us, and we do not take it to heart. The call of the gospel must be applied to our heart by the irresistible power of the Holy Spirit. If this might be so, it will be free grace only, and then a person will be seriously concerned about his state and condition. The responsibility of man does not give man an ability. Some people think that if we are responsible, we therefore must be able to meet our obligations. This is not so; fallen man is not able to restore that which was lost in the deep fall of Adam. If a person, by grace, must accept his responsibility, he becomes a sinner before God. The eyes are opened, and they see their lost condition. They learn to know how great their sins and miseries are. They learn that they are lost on account of their sins, and they learn to speak God free of their blood. They also learn that if they must be saved by their individual qualities or abilities, it is without hope. They can only pray for mercy. Those are they whereof the Lord Jesus said in Matthew 5:6, “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled.” They do not only belong to those who are called, but also to those who are chosen.

Young friends, I do hope that you shall understand that election is not a stumblingblock, but a comfort for the church. May the Lord bless you that it might also be a comfort to you.

Your friend and minister,

Rev. M. Romeyn

The responsibility of man does not give man an ability.

Rev. M. Romeyn (1913–1971) served as pastor of the Netherlands Reformed Congregation of Chilliwack, British Columbia for fifteen years. Reprinted from The Banner of Truth (March 1968).

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