ELECTION by M. B. S.

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 15, 1861

ELECTION.

By M. B. S.

An idea has been long extant in the world, that a certain number of persons were decreed, before any development on their part had taken place, to eternal life, and others to endless perdition. Doubtless many have been kept from embracing Christ by this doctrine; for says the sinner, If I am made for salvation I shall be saved; if not, I am sure to be lost; God has decreed my salvation or my damnation, and that decree will come to pass. The text found in Rom. ix, 18, is thought to teach the unconditional election of some, and damnation of others. "He hath mercy on whom he will, and whom he will he hardeneth." This text is the strongest that can be brought to support that view. Some find mercy, and others not only do not find mercy, but are hardened. We see from the text that God does this. He both has mercy on some, and no mercy on others. Let us examine for a few moments what the Scriptures say in regard to these two classes of persons.

First, upon whom does God have mercy? Recollect the text does not say God has had mercy on whom he would, and whom he would, he hardened; as it would have to read if he had decreed it so, but the having mercy, &c., is in the present tense. We find by examining the Bible that none find mercy but those who obey God; and that some were once without hope and without God in the world, but afterwards found mercy; and certainly God has mercy only on the elect. Now if they were elected from all eternity, how could it be that they were at one time children of wrath? I perceive, says Peter [Acts x, 34] that God is no respecter of persons, but in every nation he that feareth him and worketh righteousness is accepted with him. Thus we see that God does not respect certain persons; but certain characters; namely, those who fear him and work righteousness. It makes no difference with him who he is, whether he is rich or poor, learned or unlearned, if he only does this.

Again: His mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. Luke i, 50. With the merciful thou wilt show thyself merciful. Ps. xviii, 25. All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his commandments and his testimonies.

This is sufficient to inform us on whom the Lord will have mercy. Many more scriptures might be brought, but these are sufficient to show that God will have mercy on those who keep his covenant (commandments)—who work righteousness. Yes, as the poet has said,

"God will have mercy on whom he will, Come think you who they be; 'Tis every one that loves his Son, And from their sins who flee."

Now let us see if we can find who it is that God hardens. "But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God." Rom. ii, 5. "He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck [or remains impenitent] shall suddenly be destroyed and that without remedy." Prov. xxix, 1. "Our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their necks, and hearkened not to thy commandments." Neh. ix, 16. "For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath showed no mercy." Jas. ii, 13.

Thus we see that God only hardens those who harden themselves; those who despise his reproofs and hearken not to his commandments. Yes, as the Lord testifies by the mouth of Solomon, "Because I have called and ye refused, I have stretched out my hand and no man regarded; but ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof; I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh as a desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you; then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early but shall not find me." Prov. i, 24–28.

Well, says one, God hardened Pharaoh's heart. Yes, God hardens the hearts of all those who persist in rebellion against him. But we find by examining Ex. viii, 32, that Pharaoh first hardened his own heart; also in Ex. ix, 34, we read that when the plagues ceased, Pharaoh "sinned yet more and hardened his heart, he and his servants."

Thus we find that God's elect are not a certain number of persons, but a certain kind of characters, i. e., those who obey him by coming unto him in his own appointed way. He has never said, Seek ye my face in vain, unless it is to those who have so long sinned against him that his Spirit no longer strives with them; and they will never seek him; for no man can come to the Saviour except the Father draw him. O, let none who profess to be commandment-keepers grieve the Holy Spirit and thus harden their hearts.

M. B. S.