Things New and Old: I endure all things for the elect's sakes

Things New and Old

Ancient truths revealed in the Scriptures are often forgotten, disbelieved or distorted, and therefore lost in the passage of time. Such ancient truths when rediscovered and relearned are 'new' additions to the treasury of ancient truths.

Christ showed many new things to the disciples, things prophesied by the prophets of old but hijacked and perverted by the elders and their traditions, but which Christ reclaimed and returned to His people.

Many things taught by the Apostles of Christ have been perverted or substituted over the centuries. Such fundamental doctrines like salvation by grace and justification have been hijacked and perverted and repudiated by sincere Christians. These doctrines need to be reclaimed and restored to God's people.

There are things both new and old here. "Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things" 2Ti 2:7.

Sunday, February 25, 2018

I endure all things for the elect's sakes

Take good care of my child.

In all of his ministry, Apostle Paul was ACUTELY conscious that his ministry is specifically intended for and is relevant to the children of God alone.

The proof is in Paul's own words: "Therefore I endure all things... for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory." 2Ti 2:10

He endured all things for the ELECT'S sake, and no one else. ...Period. He is plain enough! He was acutely conscious that he is of no service to them that are perishing. His ministry is relevant ONLY to them that ARE SAVED already. Here are his words, "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." 1Co 1:18.

God's divine acts in saving His elect bestows 'eternal glory' to the elect!

Paul's ministerial acts of preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ bring temporal salvation, blessings in the life here and now, to God's children, in addition to the eternal glory already bestowed upon them by God's free grace.

God purposed eternal redemption for His elect.

Christ secured eternal redemption for the elect.

The Holy Spirit applies eternal redemption to each elect personally.

The preacher is sent to announce the good news of what God has done to, and for the beneficiaries above.

Paul understood his calling and office well - minister to the children of God. Peter knew his calling to feed the sheep - gather them in, not make sheep! The laborers know their specific work, gather in the harvest. All the works needed to produce the harvest, such as plowing, seeding, etc. the Lord of the harvest has done them all Himself. He has produced the harvest... He sends the laborers to gather in the harvest into the NT churches.

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Here is a good commentary by Scott:

THANKS, Scott! Amen and Amen.

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"Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory."

There are two things Paul wanted the elect to have, one of which God was going to give them, and one of them which he could give them. God was going to give them eternal glory; Paul was going to give them the salvation that was in the gospel.

Note the ‘may also’ There is two things along with eternal glory here. Paul was not trying to make the elect equal to him, Paul is trying to help the elect get a 2nd thing along with eternal glory. The word ‘with’ – you can understand the verse better if you say it ‘along with’ It’s like James 2:1 ‘…have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons’- don’t have the religion of Jesus Christ along with respect of persons, as those things don’t belong together.

Eternal glory is guaranteed by God Rom 8:29-30. God makes sure of eternal glory.’ If God can be for us, who can be against us?’ But there is another salvation; that’s the salvation we get when we hear the gospel: that salvation is one in our minds, in our understanding, in our obedience, in our assurance, in the increase of our faith: when we hear the message of salvation, tells us about it.

This is a division of words in the NT that is essential that we don’t end up believing in gospel regeneration. The apostle Paul was not out to get names in the book of life (they have been there since the foundation of the world), nor was he trying to get anyone to have eternal glory like himself: God had already guaranteed that. What he was seeking to do was bring them gospel salvation- knowing the good news about what God has done for you and what you can do for Him. It’s the salvation, if you forget the gospel or stray from it, you are lost again 1Tim 4:16.

There is a salvation in having the truth to be saved from error. That’s the salvation of 2Thel 2:13 and 1Cor 15:2 If you forget about the resurrection of the dead, how saved are you going to be on your deathbed? If you let a false teacher to teach you there is no resurrection of the dead, you will lose your salvation: you will lose your understanding that gives you hope. And if you lose your understanding that gives you hope, then you are going to face death without hope.

That is why Paul said in 1Cor 15:2 ‘By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain’ You are not going to lose your eternal glory, because something leaves our memory. It’s not that you know and remember God, it’s that He knows and remembers you. And if you think God has a bad memory, He wrote it down: in the book of life. There is a written document, and it’s in a better safety deposit box than yours is in. It’s in heaven and it’s sealed with 7 seals, and no man or angel in heaven or earth can open it, except the Lord Jesus Christ.