Jesus has just made an astounding assertion to His disciples and to us who are a part of that number: “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit — fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name” (John 15:16). We are God’s choice. An astounding statement, yet one that if properly understood demonstrates that without it, we would be eternally lost in the mire of our own self-will.
The privilege of our election by Christ is not by our own merit, but according to His good pleasure and will. However, we must be deeply aware that the purpose of election is not that we gloat about this privilege. Today we will discover again, as we have seen throughout the Gospel of John, that our election calls us into the glorious purpose of declaring the Gospel of Christ's Kingdom to the four winds of the earth. This is our purpose, not that we are elected or are the privileged among the many. We are called to declare a Gospel that brings the elect to regeneration and draws the ire of the world. We are called to the high privilege of being hated as the Lord was hated by those who are perishing, yet being His voice of calling to His people. The Glorious Sound! Christ has died for sinners, believe and receive!
February 8, 2015 | Pastor John Bayles | Before I Leave You: The Privilege and Purpose of Election | John 15:17-28
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