What’s So Great About the Doctrines of Grace? Election and Redemption

Beloved Kinney,

As we continue to reflect upon the beauty of the Doctrines of Grace, our focus turns to
unconditional election and particular redemption.

Unconditional election means that God chose you to be saved, before you were even
born and based on nothing you would do, but solely based on his sovereign kindness.
Here’s how Paul puts it in Romans 9:10-12 using the example of Jacob and Esau…

And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one
man, our forefather Isaac, though they were not yet born and had done
nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election
might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls—
she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” As it is written, “Jacob I
loved, but Esau I hated.”

It is easy for Christians to get offended by such verses because we tend to have a bent
towards clinging too tightly to our so called “free will.” “But I chose God!” we might say.
And while it is true that you chose God, don’t forget, you chose him because he first
chose you.

The doctrine of unconditional election is a glorious truth because none of us would have
chosen God if he had not first chosen us. Therefore, marvel in that fact that he chose
you!

Particular redemption (sometimes unhelpfully called “limited atonement”), teaches that,
when Jesus went to the cross, he went with the intention of paying the punishment for
those whom God chose to be saved. In other words, redemption is particular.

Listen to Jesus’ own words in John 10:14-15, “I am the good shepherd. I know my own
and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay
down my life for the sheep.”

The “sheep” in the gospel of John are those who have been given to Jesus by the
Father before the world began. John 10:27-29 says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I
know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and
no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is
greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”

The sheep are those whom the Father has given to Jesus, and therefore, when Jesus
says he lays down his life for his sheep, he means that he died on the cross for those
whom the Father gave him to die.

This truth makes the cross deeply personal. Jesus had your name and face in mind as
he hung from the tree. He knew every specific sin you would commit, and he
intentionally, specifically paid for them.

Jesus’ death is not a blanket payment that hopefully covers most sins. Jesus didn’t die
to make salvation possible. His death was specific. It was effectual. He died to save
people. He died to save you. As Matthew 1:18 says, “He came to save his people from
their sins.”

May you see how great these doctrines are. Salvation is personal. God chose you and
he sent his Son to die for you. There’s no better news in the world! Praise God!

Love,
Pastor Josh