Backing Up Into Election
A
Excellent question. In John 3, Jesus connects Baptism to election when he says “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” In Matthew 26, as Jesus institutes his Holy Supper he takes the cup and says, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Election is made possible through the forgiveness of sins in the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
I pray this is helpful.
Yours in the Service of Christ,
+Rev. Jeffrey Ries
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tacoma, WA
Dear A,
To add to what Rev. Ries said, it is helpful to see election in the “rear view mirror” so to speak. That is we don’t try to peek behind the curtain of the hidden counsel of God trying to figure out if we are one of God’s elect. Rather, we look at God’s revealed activity. Ask yourself this: has God spoken through the proclaimed Word to me? Has God placed His name on me in Baptism. Has Jesus given me His body and blood to drink “for the forgiveness of [my] sins?” These are the things that faith clings to. These are the things where God reveals His will for you and me. So while God’s election/predestination happened “before the foundations of the earth,” we look to the revealed activity of God in Word and Sacrament… and in doing so it is then that we “see” God’s divine election.
Matthew Lorfeld, Pastor
Messiah Lutheran Church
La Crescent, MN
http://www.messiahlacrescent.org
