It's a Free Ticket!
And Tickets Are Still Available
Predestination and election can be easily understood with the following illustration: Bob Smith lives in Tyler, Texas. He has been invited to attend a banquet in Shreveport, Louisiana. The host for the banquet sent Bob a ticket for a seat on a bus scheduled to leave Tyler at 9:30 a.m. on a Wednesday and arrive in Shreveport at 12:00 noon the same day-just in time for the party.
The destination of the bus has been predetermined. As soon as Bob steps onto the bus, he becomes a participant in this predetermined trip. His ticket assures him of a seat on the bus. His destination is certain.
However, if Bob throws away his ticket before departure, or if he gets off the bus between Tyler and Shreveport, he will not arrive at the destination originally intended for him.
The same is true of the predetermined journey God has set before us. If we use the free "ticket" He has given to us, get aboard the "bus" to the Kingdom, and stay on the bus until it arrives, we will arrive at our proper destination. But if we get off the "bus" before it reaches its destination, we will not enter the Kingdom. Or, if we throw away the "ticket" before boarding, we will forfeit our "seat" on the bus and lose the privilege of participating in the predetermined journey.
The host of the banquet invited many, offering them free tickets, but many of them declined the offer. The only ones finally chosen for participation in the festivities were those who made the trip and showed up for the banquet.
Divine election is no different. God chooses those who choose Him. Many are invited, but those finally chosen for participation in the Kingdom are those who accept God's provisions for salvation. Jesus Christ is the Elect One chosen from the foundation of the world (Isaiah 42:1; 1 Peter 1:20). He is the Way into the Kingdom of God (John 14:6). When we accept Him, we are "in Christ," and become participants in His death and resurrection (Romans 6:311; 2 Corinthians 4:14). Similarly, by joining ourselves to the Elect One, becoming members of His Body, we become participants in His election.
2007-01-08
00:56:47
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Religion & Spirituality