How Do We Get Elected by God?

19 comment(s) for this post:

1. Karen Lindsey:
   23 Apr 2017 "Dear Lord forgive me for I have sinned." These words haunt me daily and almost continually. We read all of the time of how adultry affects those who have felt that pain. But, what is said about and who feels concern for the one who commits that sin? Who really is concerned enough not to turn away from the adulterer? The suffering of the one who actually enters into that level of ultimate "darkness" has not reprieve. There is no "everlasting joy" only daily sorrow and self-blame and hatred toward self. You become so overtaken that all you feel is shame, sorrow and know the only everlasting you will feel is emptiness. I have wanted to write a book on this subject. Why? What actually happens to a soul who knows the "wages of sin is death." How can I ever be cleansed again? Who will love me after I have broken one of the marriage vows? It is the Why, What, How, and Who that demands a righteous answer. Those who do cross this dark path is most times so ashamed and full of self-loathing, those answers cannot be brought to a higher level of actual consciousness because the pain is too deep. I share this today, as I feel there is no election for me.
2. William Earnhardt:
   23 Apr 2017 Karen, in Matthew 8:1-4 a leper tells Jesus he wants to be cleansed. Jesus touched him and said, 'be clean" and immediately he was cleansed. On page 266 of Desire of Ages, Ellen White has this to say, "In some instances of healing, Jesus did not at once grant the blessing sought. But in the case of leprosy, no sooner was the appeal made than it was granted. When we pray for earthly blessings, the answer to our prayer may be delayed, or God may give us something other than we ask, but not so when we ask for deliverance from sin. It is His will to cleanse us from sin, to make us His children, and to enable us to live a holy life. Christ "gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father." Galatians 1:4. And "this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us: and if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him." 1 John 5:14, 15. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9."
3. Inge Anderson:
   23 Apr 2017 Since you are conscious of your sin, you are not far from the Kingdom. All you have to do now is to accept the forgiveness Christ offers. As William said, Karen, you *are* elected to be saved - but not against your will. You demonstrate that you want to be among the "elect" by trusting Jesus - trusting Him that when He says He forgives your sin, he actually does it. (1 John 1:9 NKJV) Notice that Jesus doesn't just "forgive," but He also "cleanses." He cleans us up. When you accept Christ's forgiveness, you become a new creature in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:17) You are clean and new!! But the devil doesn't want you to believe it. So he keeps reminding you of your sin. But just trust Jesus and remember He's already defeated the devil. The devil will be destroyed in the lake of fire. Jesus would be very disappointed if you would not accept His forgiveness but listen to the devil instead. Listen to Jesus instead and be joyful in Him, because He gives you a new life! (John 15:1) Then don't keep the joy to yourself. Share it with others and tell them how Jesus saves. That's how to keep the joy flowing through you!
4. michael Trunkey:
   24 Apr 2017 So today you "feel" this or that. And we know that your past was fraught with a life that sought pleasure. Every one of us wants to be loved. Every one. The physical love we share is not the ticket to that holy place, but the reward of those who have served each other. Love is much deeper than physical pleasure. We choose, we make mistakes sometimes. God sees us in our weakness and never once condemns us, for he knows our heart and our desires. He made us. Psalm 139:14ff. Why was all my substance secret? Who was there to condemn or applaud? Only Jesus. Not even Angels were yet created, we were hid in the heart of Jesus-- and he loved you then enough to die for you. At that point he chose to keep you no matter what you "feel". Now if you desire to be loved accept His love and forgiveness. Accept the fearfully and wonderfully made. Accept the "unperfect substance" and rejoice that you are loved, not for your feelings but because you are His creation, a child of his own heart. He wants you as His no matter what the distraction to which you may fall. Eph 1:4,5 gives us his desire: blameless. As we stand before him we accept his love cleanses us from all sin. We can't cleanse ourselves. Standing before our earthly mirror we see what Satan desires, our faults. But standing in Jesus presence we feel over whelming joy in the one who redeemed us. Of mine own self i can do nothing, but i lean on Him whose works are perfect and accept His cleansing. I stand right there in His presence with joy. Read Eph 1 again with the promise of His power working in your behalf, not as a duty that we must accomplish in order to meet his expectation. He is in charge and said "You are mine". When he says go and sin no more He is giving assurance in power, not a command to do your best. Our best is not good enough, we need His Righteousness, that is, His actions at the judgement to be mine. No longer does the book say adulterer, sinner, chosen of Satan. It says child of God, redeemed and perfect. Go in peace.
5. Annette Macintosh:
   24 Apr 2017 Hi Karen, It sounds like you have been suffering for a long time, similarly, if you have asked forgiveness, He has forgiven you, if you keep asking Him for forgiveness for the same sin over and over, it is not because He has not forgiven you, but rather that you perhaps don't realise this fact. Mary Magdalene was the victim of adultery, and yet, Jesus forgave her and He extends this exact same forgiveness to you as well. "God is not human, that He should lie, not a human being, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?" (Numbers 23:19) All you are required to do is ask Him. In John 6:37 He says: "All those the Father gives Me will come to Me, and whoever comes to Me I will never drive away." satan on the other hand wishes that you would continue to feel that there is no election for you but this is a lie! The only sin that is unforgivable is the one you do not ask forgiveness for, so if you have already asked forgiveness, in 1 John 1:9 He says "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." and so this means that He has already forgiven you, you also need to forgive yourself, no matter how hard you think this is, in God's eyes it is as if you had never done what you have asked forgiveness for. Leave it at His feet and never pick up the burden ever again, it is His to deal with and He says: "Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. In Your love You kept me from the pit of destruction; You have put all my [Karen's] sins behind Your back." (Isaiah 38:17) Why not choose Jesus, come to Him just as you are you have asked and He has wiped the slate clean - look how kind He is in John 8:7-11 “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11“No one, Sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,”Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” And neither does Jesus condemn you either Karen. God bless you as you heal and learn to trust Him more each day.
6. Thea Jack:
   25 Apr 2017 I have felt that pain, shame and guilt. It is deep. But I know that God has forgiven and cleansed me. John 3:16 says ".....whosoever believes in me should not perish but have everlasting life." "God is not a man that He should lie" (Numbers 23: 19) and so I am now at peace knowing that I have been washed in Jesus' blood and cleansed from ANY sins I have committed. I still regret the pain I have caused but I believe that like Peter, Jesus has prayed for my conversion and brought me to where I accept Him with all my heart. We cannot change what we have done. We need only give our sins to Jesus "....and by his stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5). God loves you. Trust Him.
7. Sally Holmes:
   25 Apr 2017 William you mentioned individuals who fall back into addictions and give up feeling they can't be part of God's elect. How do you counsel someone who has been battling an addiction for years and who feels after years of praying and struggling they are too tired to continue the fight? "I'm praying for you" as they express their discouragement and torment doesn't seem enough. When asked "why doesn't God deliver me-at this point I am hell bound because I can't overcome" I don't have the answer because I see their torment. I know God is powerful so what more should they do?
8. michael Trunkey:
   25 Apr 2017 There is a delicate line between "i understand your pain" and "we are all sinners". I know we say "I'm praying for you", but what people want to hear is, " I was there to, and here is how i overcame". The Deliverance is not within us. So no matter what i say or feel, it is not my advice that brings release, it is God. We only frustrate the one who so desperately needs help when we give our platitudes, but it is the truth that prayer is the best answer from my human perspective. The sinner needs the power of Jesus to rise up and walk in the newness of life. I can​ give my testimony, and support their efforts, but God must deliver. When we say something human like "i was there once too" we give credence to Satan's power over us, to man delivering himself by his own bootstraps. He must deliver!
9. Mo Sena:
   25 Apr 2017 It's a very human characteristic to think you're different and more special than your neighbor. The feeling of "this can't happen to me" is present in our DNA. The feeling of identity and self preservation can lead us to think we're more special and therefore we're one of the "chosen". The others are not as "enlightened" as we are. Not as "obedient" as we are. Not as "Holy" as we are. But the bible is very clear that God doesn't want ANYONE to perish, therein comes our personal choice.
10. William Earnhardt:
    25 Apr 2017 Hi Sally I would have to say that I very much agree with Michael. Also every case is different. Not everyone struggles the same. Some are really trying and some are not. Of course I am not judge of who is trying and who is not. Here are some words of counsel from someone a lot wiser than me. " There are those who have known the pardoning love of Christ and who really desire to be children of God, yet they realize that their character is imperfect, their life faulty, and they are ready to doubt whether their hearts have been renewed by the Holy Spirit. To such I would say, Do not draw back in despair. We shall often have to bow down and weep at the feet of Jesus because of our shortcomings and mistakes, but we are not to be discouraged. Even if we are overcome by the enemy, we are not cast off, not forsaken and rejected of God. No; Christ is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Said the beloved John, "These things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." 1 John 2:1. And do not forget the words of Christ, "The Father Himself loveth you." John 16:27. He desires to restore you to Himself, to see His own purity and holiness reflected in you. And if you will but yield yourself to Him, He that hath begun a good work in you will carry it forward to the day of Jesus Christ. Pray more fervently; believe more fully. As we come to distrust our own power, let us trust the power of our Redeemer, and we shall praise Him who is the health of our countenance." Ellen White, Steps to Christ, Page 64
11. JohnHerscher:
    26 Apr 2017 We are predestined to be saved not predestined to be lost, if we turn to Christ we put on the wedding garment and accept predestination. Matthew 21:11. The disciples asked Christ, since it is difficult for the rich man to be saved then who can be saved. Christ said what is impossible for people, is possible with God. Luke 18:26-27. So people let's stay with God. God is in control of our DNA also. All we have to do is allow Him to take control of our will. That is part of our surrender to Him. We need to believe that He has the power to forgive and save to the uttermost. Why because we put our trust in Him. Hebrews 7:25. Isaiah 26:3-7.
12. Don Litchfield:
    26 Apr 2017 Karen, I find that, sometimes, doctrine is hard to interpret into reality. In Rev. 3:20 Jesus, as God, (who is our friend) is standing outside our heart's door knocking and calling to us. If we will let him in, He promises to come in and to "sup" with us. I think He can do this in His Spirit. God wants to be our friend, but He needs our permission to come in. He is highly respectful of our choice. Love is dependent on our choice and cannot be forced. When God comes into our heart He brings "light." This affects the darkness of our thoughrs and feelings profoundly. He not only forgives us but He takes away the darkness in our minds by His light which is always with His presence. Jesus has told us to "watch and pray" lest we fall into temptation. I think this means to be aware of what is happening in our minds and and continue to pray giving Him permission to enter our thoughts and feelings giving us the motivation of His Love to produce right thoughts and feelings--and by this, right actions.
13. Sieg Hoppe:
    26 Apr 2017 Dear Karen, When God forgives, God forgets (Hebrews 8:12; Hebrews 10:17; Isaiah 43:25). Now since God has already forgiven you and forgotten what you did, who do you think keeps reminding you? Hint: It can’t be God. God has cast your sin to the bottom of the sea (Micah 7:19 ) and he even put a “no fishing” sign over the spot (Jeremiah 31:34). Do yourself a favor. Stop going deep-sea diving, looking for and remembering your sin. What God has forgiven and forgotten, we shouldn’t try to remember… Instead, remember this: The very first time you uttered "Dear Lord forgive me for I have sinned,” He forgave… He forgot.
14. Terry Loss:
    30 Apr 2017 I like the way these verses put it in Psalms: "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand." Psalm. 37:23, 24
15. Terry Loss:
    30 Apr 2017 Please read the chapter 16 in Christ's Object Lessons, "Lost, and is found." These two paragraphs especially show the love of God towards ANY sinner. “Little did the gay, thoughtless youth, as he went out from his father’s gate, dream of the ache and longing left in that father’s heart. When he danced and feasted with his wild companions, little did he think of the shadow that had fallen on his home. And now as with weary and painful steps he pursues the homeward way, he knows not that one is watching for his return. But while he is yet "a great way off" the father discerns his form. Love is of quick sight. Not even the degradation of the years of sin can conceal the son from the father’s eyes. He "had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck" in a long, clinging, tender embrace. {COL 203.1} The father will permit no contemptuous eye to mock at his son’s misery and tatters. He takes from his own shoulders the broad, rich mantle, and wraps it around the [BEGIN P.204] son’s wasted form, and the youth sobs out his repentance, saying, "Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son." The father holds him close to his side, and brings him home. No opportunity is given him to ask a servant’s place. He is a son, who shall be honored with the best the house affords, and whom the waiting men and women shall respect and serve. {COL 203.2}” I am always moved by how He "holds him (you and me) close to His side and brinsg him (you and me) home." What love the Father has for you and me…
16. Darrel, G:
    30 Apr 2017 It has been thirty two years sober for me, and the things I committed when I drank and put substances in my body , adultery was one of those acts, among many, satan still keeps reminding me of those acts and all the harm I have caused others from doing those horrible things, all the above answers Arte great, and I might add another practical thing you might try, finding and trusting another person who you can share your burden with, I sobered up in AA, and I had very little trust in humanity, and even less trust in God, they kept telling me in step two that I must come to believe in a power greater than myself top help me overcome my addictions, I did not know a God of my understanding at that time, it took a lot of patience, frustration and caring of others who have trudged the happy road of destiny before me to show me the way, I returned to my church of my childhood and slowly they loved me back to some semblance of reality, there I found a God of my understanding, a loving, caring God, a understanding of who and what price Jesus suffered and died for me, and finally this past quarter a better understanding of the Holy Spirit who Jesus sent to us to help us in a quiet peaceful gentle way, to try and understand how to cope with life on life terms. Not easy, but after thirty some odd years, and at times getting angry with God and giving up on him many times through the process, he gently reminds me through people like you that he is there, and wants me to be with him in paradise with him, he still wants me around top help people see the way and to help them by me sharing my testimony to help someone who thinks they are beyond hope to realize there is hope , and to pray until that hope becomes a reality. King David did some horrible acts, and God showed me this by me going to sabbath school, at the right time, even when I did not want to be there, he put the right people in my life at the right time, to help me see that I could be forgiven. My answer is to try and stay close to like minded people and be open minded, pray without ceasing and hope, because believe it or not Jesus will come and sup with you in ways you cannot even comprehend. God bless and keep looking up!
17. Paul Blanke:
    11 May 2017 Ing, this is 20/20 hind sight. The text in 1Peter 4:1 can be troubling. Sometimes metaphors and examples are understood as reality. I read a page from a past CQ quarterly on April 23. The realities about our struggles, many of us can identify with. Does this make us more righteous or do our applications have a negative affect? We can quote a number of scriptures, but are they applicable and implemented. As always your contributions appreciated. Thank you for your patience. Paul
18. Kenny Springer:
    12 May 2017 Can we will or desire ourselves unto the roll of the elect?
19. Maurice Ashton:
    12 May 2017 I think that the post by William that starts this discussion addresses your question Kenny.