Election Unchangeable

The Canons of Dordrecht 

Article 11: Election Unchangeable

Just as God himself is most wise, unchangeable, all knowing, and almighty, so the election made by him can neither be suspended nor altered, revoked, or annulled; neither can his chosen ones be cast off, nor their number reduced.

... In that he liveth, he liveth unto God

Daily Light Devotions - July 22 - Morning

... In that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 1 

Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors. 2 

so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. 3 

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 4 

For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. 5 

but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. 6 

but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 7 

Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. 8 

______________ 

1. Rom 6:10; 

2. Isa 53:12; 

3. Heb 9:28; 

4. 1 Pet 2:24; 

5. Heb 10:14; 

6. Heb 7:24,25; 

7. Rom 5:8,9; 

8. 1 Pet 4:1,2

Christ the exclusive object of love

"Blessed were we if we could make ourselves masters of that invaluable treasure, the love of Christ; or rather suffer ourselves to be mastered and subdued to Christ's love, so as Christ were our all things, and all other things our nothings, and the refuse of our delights. O, let us be ready for shipping against the time our Lord's wind and tide call for us." -- Rutherford, Samuel, and Ellen S. Lister. The Loveliness of Christ: Extracts from the Letters of Samuel Rutherford. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 2007, 14-15. [Letter CXCV, 1637]

The veil of the temple was rent in twain ...

Daily Light Devotions - July 21 - Evening

The veil of the temple was rent in twain ...

And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. 1 

For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." 2 

I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh." So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, "Do you take offense at this? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 3 

by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 4 

______________ 

1. Matt 27:51; 

2. 1 Cor 11:23,24; 

3. John 6:51,53,54,56,57,61-63; 

4. Heb 10:20,22

Election Based on God’s Good Pleasure

The Canons of Dordrecht 

Article 10: Election Based on God’s Good Pleasure

But the cause of this undeserved election is exclusively the good pleasure of God. This does not involve his choosing certain human qualities or actions from among all those possible as a condition of salvation, but rather involves his adopting certain particular persons from among the common mass of sinners as his own possession. As Scripture says, When the children were not yet born, and had done nothing either good or bad…, she (Rebecca) was told, “The older will serve the younger.” As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated” (Rom. 9:11-13). Also, All who were appointed for eternal life believed (Acts 13:48).

What profit is there of circumcision?

Daily Light Devotions - July 21 - Morning

What profit is there of circumcision?

Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. 1 

Circumcise yourselves to the LORD; remove the foreskin of your hearts, O men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem; lest my wrath go forth like fire, and burn with none to quench it, because of the evil of your deeds." 2 

so that I walked contrary to them and brought them into the land of their enemies--if then their uncircumcised heart is humbled and they make amends for their iniquity, then I will remember my covenant with Jacob, and I will remember my covenant with Isaac and my covenant with Abraham, and I will remember the land. 3 

For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 4 

In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 5 

to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. 6 

______________ 

1. Rom 3:1,2; 

2. Jer 4:4; 

3. Lev 26:41,42; 

4. Rom 15:8; 

5. Col 2:11,13; 

6. Eph 4:22-24

I bless you for your prayers; add to them praises

"I bless you for your prayers; add to them praises. As I am able, I pay you home." -- Rutherford, Samuel, and Ellen S. Lister. The Loveliness of Christ: Extracts from the Letters of Samuel Rutherford. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 2007, 14. [Letter CCXIV, 7 July 1637]

He that is of a merry heart hath a ... feast

Daily Light Devotions - July 20 - Evening

He that is of a merry heart hath a ... feast.

All the days of the afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast. 1 

Then he said to them, "Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." 2 

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 3 

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 

Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. 5 

Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. 6 

as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything. 7 

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 8

______________ 

1. Prov 15:15; 

2. Neh 8:10; 

3. Rom 14:17; 

4. Eph 5:18-20; 

5. Heb 13:15; 

6. Hab 3:17,18; 

7. 2 Cor 6:10; 

8. Rom 5:3

Election Not Based on Foreseen Faith

The Canons of Dordrecht 

Article 9: Election Not Based on Foreseen Faith

This same election took place, not on the basis of foreseen faith, of the obedience of faith, of holiness, or of any other good quality and disposition, as though it were based on a prerequisite cause or condition in the person to be chosen, but rather for the purpose of faith, of the obedience of faith, of holiness, and so on. Accordingly, election is the source of each of the benefits of salvation. Faith, holiness, and the other saving gifts, and at last eternal life itself, flow forth from election as its fruits and effects. As the apostle says, He chose us (not because we were, but) so that we should be holy and blameless before him in love (Eph. 1:4).

They are not of the world

Daily Light Devotions - July 20 - Morning

They are not of the world ...

They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 1 

He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 2 

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." 3 

For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 4 

that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 5 

how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 6 

So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. 7 

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 8 

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. 9 

______________

1. John 17:16; 

2. Isa 53:3; 

3. John 16:33; 

4. Heb 7:26; 

5. Phil 2:15; 

6. Acts 10:38; 

7. Gal 6:10; 

8. John 1:9; 

9. Matt 5:14,16

Prayer for one another

"My dear brother, I will think it comfort if ye speak my name to our Well-Beloved wherever ye are. I am mindful of you." -- Rutherford, Samuel, and Ellen S. Lister. The Loveliness of Christ: Extracts from the Letters of Samuel Rutherford. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 2007, 14.

The dew of Hermon

Daily Light Devotions - July 19 - Evening

The dew of Hermon.

It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the LORD has commanded the blessing, life forevermore. 1 

from Aroer, which is on the edge of the Valley of the Arnon, as far as Mount Sirion (that is, Hermon), 2 

It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the LORD has commanded the blessing, life forevermore. 3 

I will be like the dew to Israel; he shall blossom like the lily; he shall take root like the trees of Lebanon; 4 

May my teaching drop as the rain, my speech distill as the dew, like gentle rain upon the tender grass, and like showers upon the herb. 5 

"For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. 6 

For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. 7 

For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 8 

It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! 9 

______________ 

1. Psa 133:3; 

2. Deut 4:48; 

3. Psa 133:3; 

4. Hos 14:5; 

5. Deut 32:2; 

6. Isa 55:10,11; 

7. John 3:34; 

8. John 1:16; 

9. Psa 133:2