How does a sinner meet the doctrine of election?

'How does a sinner meet the doctrine of election?'

— Matthew 15:21-28

Election is a doctrine plainly taught in the Bible. It is not possible for a man to read the Word of God and, with a sincere conscience, deny that election is true. Nor can a man, familiar with the Scriptures, in honesty deny that God’s election of his people in Christ is both personal and particular, eternal and immutable. We therefore preach this blessed truth of God without apology or hesitation.

But Satan and the ministers of Satan turn the truth of God into a lie. In dealing with men, I have on occasion met poor souls who desperately felt their need of Christ and his righteousness. But they stumbled over the doctrine of election, thinking, ‘If I am not elect, I cannot believe; and I have no reason to suppose that I am elect. Therefore, I dare not trust Christ and confess him.’ Who are you, and who am I, to suppose that we can thus know the mind of God?

In our text a poor, sinful, idolatrous Gentile came to Christ in desperate need of mercy. ‘The Lord confronted her with the doctrine of sovereign election: ‘I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’ But this poor soul knew that she could not obtain the mercy she desired from anyone except the Lord Jesus Christ, so she pressed her case before him. If she did not find mercy here, she would never find mercy. What could she lose by throwing herself upon him?

Do you feet the burden of sin pressing you down? Is your case so great, your misery so vexing that you know no one can help you but Christ? Like Job resolve to wait for him to show mercy, saying, ‘Though he slay me, yet will I trust him.’ Like Jacob cry, ‘I will not let thee go except thou bless me.’

This is great faith. And it will always obtain the blessing. The question is not ‘Am I elect?’ It is ‘Do I believe?’ Feeling your great need of Christ and believing that he is able to show mercy, you will have mercy ⎯ election notwithstanding. Then, having obtained mercy, look back to God’s electing love, and say, ‘Blessed be God.’