(I Peter 1:1-2)

 

 

1PE 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,

 

    To God's elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood:

 

    Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

 

 

Notice also I Peter 1:20; 2:4; 2:6; 2:9; 2:21.

 

Call and election of God.

 

The Sovereignty of God and the Free will of Man.

 

 

Which is it?

 

Somehow; it is quite wonderfully both.

 

“I will make you fishers of men” – the call.

 

“If you follow me” – the choice.

 

I believe we must be careful in our desire to understand and obey these deep truths; a few degrees to the left or to the right make a significant difference several years down this road.

 

I notice that when I change the timing in the old 1979 BMW, I also have to adjust the idle controls.  When one moves, so does the other.

 

If you ask me:  Did I choose or was I chosen?

 

My answer is:  Yes.

 

For those who want to fight, my answer does not satisfy.

 

For those who believe strongly that one side or the other must be vindicated and declared the theological winner, they will throw me out of the contest and start calling me names like compromiser or “wishy washy” (which in the Greek means wishy washy).

 

I have drunk deeply of both sides of the controversy; with a sincere desire for truth; I have listened and watched good men and women of faith flesh out their views; I have had ample opportunity to swing either way . . .

 

Still here I am; driving down a well-worn path made by thousands of years of theological discussion; and I have one set of wheels in each rut – just a plugging along.

 

Those who preach the sovereignty of God say:  “Is Stoll with us or against us?”  He talks just like one of us, but he acts to much like a free will of man guy.

 

Those who preach “Free will of Man” ask the same question.  Is Stoll with us or against us?  He acts like a free will of man guy, but he won’t back off on the passages on sovereignty.

 

Either this is the path I have chosen or it is the path God has chosen for me (there I go again).

 

This is where I am.

 

No matter how hard these two try to steer away from one another, they just keep right on trucking side by side in this strangely wonderful gridlock.

 

From time to time someone jumps the track and steers off the left of right and guess what happens?  Strange doctrines and teachings begin to develop; which usually become recognized and hopefully someone steers the group back to the well-worn path.

 

Great is the mystery of the sovereignty of God and the Freewill of man.

 

It is great.

 

It is deep.

 

Do not discount the importance of meditating upon and discussing openly these great truths.

 

Seven years ago I preached my first message in this church that waded out into these waters.  There was an old gentleman visiting with us that day.  I know him now, and I know where he would stand on this issue – I didn’t then.  After the service while in the coffee line he got a hold of me and looked me in the eye (as only old gentlemen in the Lord can do) and said, “You didn’t tell us what side you’re on.”

 

To which I said, “That’s good, what side do you think?”

 

After which he gave me the old theological stare down (which means, I’m going to keep my eye on you).

 

If he would have said:  Did you choose God or were you chosen?

 

I would have said, yes.

 

1PE 5:10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

 

    1PE 5:12 With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.

 

    1PE 5:13 She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark. 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love.

    Peace to all of you who are in Christ.