Larger Catechism – Day 31 of Lent
Question 59: Who
shares in the redemption through Christ?
Answer: Redemption is inevitably and effectively imparted to all those
for whom Christ purchased it, who in the process of time are enabled by the
Holy Spirit to believe in Christ as presented in the gospel.
We live in a time when people are all about “me.” People might as well say, “I want it, when I
want it, as I want it and that is just the way it is!” This self-centered attitude infects all
aspects of our society. Advertising
agencies want you to want a particular product now – go buy it, even if you can’t
afford it. A local professional football
player signed a multi-year contract last year and now he is demanding that his
contract be re-negotiated. Costco has
their best and largest televisions right by the entrance door so that people will
see the televisions, want the televisions and buy the televisions. Me.
I. Me. I.
That same attitude has invaded the Christian faith. I have met so many people that are adamant
that they chose to follow Christ (I was one of them). But what does the Bible say?
John 15:16 says, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and
appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so
that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.”
Ephesians 1:4-6 says, “For he chose us in him before the creation
of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love, he predestined us for adoption to
sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will –to the
praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.”
John 6:44 says, “No one can come to me unless the Father who
sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.”
Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for
the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 says, “But we ought always to thank God
for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as
firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through
belief in the truth. He called you to
this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus
Christ.
The Bible goes on and on about God choosing us—not the other way
around. I don’t understand how it works
(it is way above my pay grade). Christ
purchased our redemption. The Holy
Spirit seeks us out so that we come face to face with Jesus and receive his
forgiveness and new life.
Notice the words “he chose us”, “his will”, “his purpose”, “he
called” and “God chose you.” It is all
about God’s will and God’s purposes.
It is very comforting to know that Christ chose us. In elementary school we played touch football
during recess. The guys would line up
and two captains would choose the people to be on their teams. The best athletes would be selected
first. Eventually, it was about who the
captain didn’t want on his team (after all, no one wanted the kid that couldn’t
walk and chew gum at the same time).
God wants us to know that we are valuable to him. God wants us to know that he loves us. God wants us to know that he will always be
there for us because he chose us. God
redeems us because he chose us. We are
his because he chose us! He chose us
first. He chose us before the creation
of the world. He chose us. HE CHOSE US!!
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