The election of Jesus Christ; John 15:16



Class Outline:

Title: The election of Jesus Christ; John 15:16.

 

John 15:16 "You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask of the Father in My name, He may give to you.

 

Repeat:Personal sins were never imputed to anyone. They were imputed to Christ. Therefore, after selection the issue becomes Christ. Faith in Him guarantees election.

 

Any member of the human race is either in Adam or in Christ. Personal sin, genetic issues, and environmental hindrances are not in view here, just two men.

 

 “choose” - aorist middle indicative of evkle,gomai[eklegomai] = to choose or to elect. Middle - the subject benefits from the action.

 

The believer has not elected Christ for his benefit, but Christ has elected the believer for His benefit, His glory.

 

All the glory in election goes to Christ, so although there are unfathomable benefits to us in election the ultimate glory goes to Christ, who is the husband while we are His bride.

 

The gnomic aorist means that this is an absolute fact. It is Christ’s plan and not ours. The plan moves on with or without us.

 

Since we have completed Rom 9 and should pretty much understand the election of Israel and we have seen a bit of the election of the individual CA believer we must look at one more aspect of election and that is the election of Christ. None of us have elected Christ, yet He has been elected, so He has been elected by someone.

 

There are three elections in the Scripture:

1.The election of Israel

2. The election of Christ

3. The election of the individual CA believer

 

We have noted in depth that the heritage of Israel is spiritual. Israel’s heritage was and is not racial or based on the Mosaic Law.

 

Israel’s election is God’s will for her as a nation and is realized through the fulfillment of the unconditional covenants at the Second Coming of Christ and His Millennial reign.

 

ISA 65:9

"And I will bring forth offspring [a seed - TLJC] from Jacob,

And an heir of My mountains from Judah [TLJC];

Even My chosen ones shall inherit it,

And My servants shall dwell there.

 

The Church-age believer’s election is in Christ and is therefore shared with Him. God’s highest and best for Christ is now the expression of God’s will for the CA believer.

 

EPH 1:4

 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him.

 

Every time you listen to a desire that God has for your blessing which is imputed directly to your indwelling righteousness you are hearing another part of election.

 

If we take all of the blessings from God together, primary (40 things), secondary (escrow), and eternal (primary and escrow), we have before us the fulfillment of CA election.

 

The election of Christ is the salvation plan of God and is the only basis for the other two elections.

 

GEN 22:13

And in your seed [Christ] all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice."

 

Christ was elected in eternity past. 1 Peter 1:13

For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you.

 

Acts 2:23

this Man, delivered up by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death.

 

The beginning of His election in time is through the virgin birth, ISA 7:14

"Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel [God with us].

 

Christ’s election follows the pattern: Virgin birth, Impeccability, the cross, Resurrection, Ascension, and Session, together comprising total victory over the Angelic Conflict.

 

Therefore, Christ’s election is absolutely unique. He is unique in the Trinity as the only One to become true humanity. He is unique in Israel as the only true Son of David qualified to be the only true King of Israel. He is unique in regards to the Church as the only King of kings and Lord of lords.

 

1 Peter 2:4 And coming to Him as to a living stone [He is alive and the only standard], rejected by men, but choice and precious in the sight of God,

 

 “choice” - adjective (of the same verb in John 15:16) eklektos [eklektos] - chosen or elected.

 

 “precious” - e;ntimoj[entimos] = held in honor, prized, precious, highly valued.

 

The mature believer sees Christ in the same way that the Father does, elected to the greatest privilege and precious.

 

The mature believer sees himself in the same way, through the eyes of the Father, as elected to the greatest privilege and precious.

 

1 Peter 2:5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

 

1 Peter 2:6 For this is contained in Scripture:

"Behold I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone,

And he who believes in Him shall not be disappointed."