Matthew 11

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2011&version=ESV

Matthew 11:27: "All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him."

Matthew chapter 11 is such a great chapter. Many know it for the familiar words of Jesus when he said:

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)

Yet, how often it is that so few people quote Matthew 11:27? God is sovereign. He chooses who will believe in Him. He regenerates them. He gives them the faith to believe. He sanctifies them. He redeems them. He adopts them into His family. And He will ultimately glorify them when they go to Heaven for eternity.

Now, I am not saying that we have no responsibility. We have human responsibility. From our perspective, we are the one's who put our faith in God. Whereas in reality, God worked through the Holy Spirit to enable us to place our faith in the saving work of Jesus on the cross.

Friends, I must admit it. I love the doctrine of predestination. Why? Because God does not make wrong choices. I, a sinner, left to my own devices, could have chosen to follow a cult or some false religion.

But by the Grace of God, He chose me before the foundation of the world to believe in Him. (Ephesians 1:3-5)

Some of you might being saying, what if God did not choose me? Friends, the Word of God says that any one who believes in Him will not be ashamed. People go to Hell because of unbelief, not because God did not choose them. Search the Scriptures and you will see this is the truth.

Theologians for centuries have tried to reconcile the doctrine of predestination with free will. My understanding, and I will admit it is from a Calvinistic understanding, is that we are fallen. We do not have free will. If we had free will, we would have the will to not sin. Who has the will to not sin? None of us.

Instead of rejoicing in the free will of man we should be rejoicing in the sovereignty of God. The same God who chooses, predestines, elects, also saves, sanctifies, justifies, and Glorifies.

Every good gift comes from God above.

Soli Deo Gloria.

Today's post was submitted by Russ Shellhamer.