Spurgeon: July AM
* 07/17/AM
"Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God."
--1 Thessalonians 1:4
Many persons want to know their election before they look to
Christ, but they cannot learn it thus, it is only to be
discovered by "looking unto Jesus." If you desire to ascertain
your own election;--after the following manner, shall you assure
your heart before God. Do you feel yourself to be a lost, guilty
sinner? go straightway to the cross of Christ, and tell Jesus
so, and tell Him that you have read in the Bible, "Him that
cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out." Tell Him that He
has said, "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all
acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save
sinners." Look to Jesus and believe on Him, and you shall make
proof of your election directly, for so surely as thou
believest, thou art elect. If you will give yourself wholly up
to Christ and trust Him, then you are one of God's chosen ones;
but if you stop and say, "I want to know first whether I am
elect," you ask you know not what. Go to Jesus, be you never so
guilty, just as you are. Leave all curious inquiry about
election alone. Go straight to Christ and hide in His wounds,
and you shall know your election. The assurance of the Holy
Spirit shall be given to you, so that you shall be able to say,
"I know whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able
to keep that which I have committed to Him." Christ was at the
everlasting council: He can tell you whether you were chosen or
not; but you cannot find it out in any other way. Go and put
your trust in Him, and His answer will be--"I have loved thee
with an everlasting love, therefore with lovingkindness have I
drawn thee." There will be no doubt about His having chosen
you , when you have chosen Him .
"Sons we are through God's election,
Who in Jesus Christ believe."