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Grace for Today
Devotional: April 16th

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1 Thessalonians 1:4

‘Knowing, brethren beloved, your election’

Read 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

We do not know the mysteries of God’s eternal decree. But a few things are clearly revealed in the Scriptures about election. Election is a free, sovereign, eternal, irreversible and loving act of God’s abundant grace. Election is in no way contrary to the promises of God revealed in the gospel. It is promised: ‘Come unto me and be ye saved all ye ends of the earth.’ ‘Come unto me, and I will give you rest.’ ‘Whosoever will, let him come and take of the water of life.’ ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.’ ‘If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.’ I know that the promises of God are sure and the responsibility of every man stands, election not withstanding. ‘God commandeth all men to repent.’ ‘This is his commandment, that we believe on the name of his Son, Jesus Christ.’ You must repent of your sins, believe on Christ and submit to him as Lord and Savior. If you will not, your damnation is just. If you do, it is because God has chosen you as the object of his love before the world began.

Paul told the saints at Thessalonica that he knew their ‘election of God’. But how could he know it? He tells us five things that gave clear evidence of their election. If you have experienced these things, you too were chosen in Christ before the world began.

1. God’s elect have heard the gospel effectually (v.5.) They have heard the voice of God in the gospel by the power of the Holy Spirit.

2. God’s elect have become followers of Christ (v.6). They imitate him in faith, in love, in patience and in spiritual joy.

3. God’s elect are committed to the gospel (v.8).

4. God’s elect have been converted to God (v.9). They have experienced a mighty change: a change of mind, a change of masters, a change of motives.

5. God’s elect are waiting for Christ (v. 10). We live not for this world, for ease, or for gain. We live in anticipation of Christ’s glorious descent.

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