"… there are not only vessels gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor" (2 Tim. 2:20).
Any time you begin talking about election, you know that you are going to have controversy. Because of this, some people would rather just not talk about it. But because it is an integral part of the Word of God, it should not be ignored. All things in the Bible are meant for our instruction. The doctrine of election, in particular, gives us a deeper understanding of our dependence on God’s grace, which should inflame within us greater praise to God.
Many pastors, however, still refuse to preach about election because it is controversial. But when has the proclamation of God’s truth not been controversial? Luther wisely said that the only time the church is free of controversy altogether is when the truth is not preached. There was controversy when Christ preached, there was controversy when the apostles preached, and there has been controversy throughout history as men have wrestled to understand the Word of God. This wrestling, which often produces controversy, is beneficial to the church because it forces people to examine issues. There is nothing wrong with the controversial nature of the doctrine of election; the controversy is good because it causes us to think more deeply.
Remember that God is glorified in the exercise of His grace and in His righteousness. Whether it be in the justification of the elect or the condemnation of the non-elect, God is exalted, and we should delight in that exaltation. In election, the glory of His grace is magnified, and in reprobation, the glory of His justice is glorified. Some people find it difficult to see how God’s glory is manifested in His justice. They ask questions like “How can a good God allow anyone to be punished?” But that’s like asking how can a good judge send anyone to prison? We would, of course, think the judge was bad if he did not exercise righteous judgment. In the condemnation of the wicked, God’s justice is glorified. As Jonathan Edwards wrote, “The vindictive justice of God is a glorious attribute, as well as His mercy; and the glory of this attribute appears in the everlasting destruction and ruin of the barren and unfruitful.” As the saints in heaven praise God not only for His grace, but for His justice (Rev. 19:1–5), let us do the same.
Read Isaiah 66:22–24 and Revelation 16:4–7. Why would God have the saints in heaven look upon the lost in hell? What was the reaction of the angel in the Revelation passage to God’s judgment? What should our reaction be to God’s justice? Look to God’s justice and appreciate His grace even more.
