Morning, July 17
Charles Spurgeon · Morning and Evening: Daily Readings
1 Thessalonians 1:4
"Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God."
1 Thessalonians 1:4
Many persons want to know their election before they look to Christ,
but they cannot learn it thus, it is only to be discovered by "looking
unto Jesus." If you desire to ascertain your own election;--after the
following manner, shall you assure your heart before God. Do you feel
yourself to be a lost, guilty sinner? go straightway to the cross of
Christ, and tell Jesus so, and tell him that you have read in the
Bible, "Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out." Tell him
that he has said, "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all
acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners."
Look to Jesus and believe on him, and you shall make proof of your
election directly, for so surely as thou believest, thou art elect. If
you will give yourself wholly up to Christ and trust him, then you are
one of God's chosen ones; but if you stop and say, "I want to know
first whether I am elect," you ask you know not what. Go to Jesus, be
you never so guilty, just as you are. Leave all curious inquiry about
election alone. Go straight to Christ and hide in his wounds, and you
shall know your election. The assurance of the Holy Spirit shall be
given to you, so that you shall be able to say, "I know whom I have
believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have
committed to him." Christ was at the everlasting council: he can tell
you whether you were chosen or not; but you cannot find it out in any
other way. Go and put your trust in him, and his answer will be--"I
have loved thee with an everlasting love, therefore with lovingkindness
have I drawn thee." There will be no doubt about his having chosen you,
when you have chosen him.
"Sons we are through God's election,
Who in Jesus Christ believe."