Make Your Calling and Election Sure

Q: What does the Bible say about the book of life?

The Bible describes the book of life as God’s registry of those who are elected to eternal life, found in scriptures like Revelation 20:12 and Exodus 32:32-33. The book of life is a crucial biblical concept, referring to God's record of those redeemed through Christ. In Revelation 20:12, the dead are judged according to their works from the books, and a specific 'book of life' is referenced, indicating its importance in the final judgment. Furthermore, in Exodus 32:32-33, it is stated that God will blot out names from His book, highlighting the serious nature of eternal election. The book is not made known until the final day, and therefore, its existence goes beyond human curiosity, revealing the sovereignty of God in salvation.

Q: How do we know our election is sure?

The assurance of election comes through diligent pursuit of faith, evidenced by the fruits of the Spirit, as noted in 2 Peter 1:10. According to 2 Peter 1:10, believers are called to give diligence to make their calling and election sure. This involves sincere effort to cultivate virtues like faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. These qualities not only affirm one's relationship with Christ but also serve as evidence of a redeemed life. The assurance of election isn't found in human actions but in the grace of God, which produces genuine faith and love towards others, indicating that one's name is written in the Lamb's book of life.

Q: Why is the doctrine of election important for Christians?

The doctrine of election underscores God's sovereignty in salvation and provides believers with assurance of their salvation. The doctrine of election is central to Reformed theology, showcasing God's sovereignty and grace in choosing individuals for salvation before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4-5). It emphasizes that salvation is based not on human decision but on God's eternal purpose and love. This doctrine reassures believers that their faith is not in vain, as it stems from God's calling. It fosters humility, gratitude, and worship, urging believers to trust in Christ alone for salvation and to live in accordance with their identity as chosen and redeemed people. Understanding election leads to deeper worship and a more profound appreciation for God's grace.

It's like Paul saying, when he
was interceding for his brethren, I could wish myself a curse from
Christ for my brethren. And Moses is saying to God, if
you do not find it in your purpose to forgive them, then take my
name out of your book. God said, whosoever sins against
me, him will I blot out of my book. Then over in Revelation,
Revelation chapter 13, he calls it the book of life. Now there
in Exodus he says it's my book, my book, and in Revelation 13
verse 8 he calls it the book of life. Revelation 13 verse
8, listen. and all that dwell upon the earth
shall worship him," that is, the false prophet, whose names
are not written in the book of life, whose names are not written in
the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of
the world. Turn to Revelation 20. He calls
it in another place here, the book of life. The Book of Life, Revelation
20, verse 12, And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before
God. And the books were opened, and
another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the
dead were judged out of those things which were written in
the books according to their works. And the sea gave up the
dead which were in it, and death and hell delivered up the dead
which were in them. And they were judged, every man
according to their works. And death and hell were cast
into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And
whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast
into the lake of fire, the book of life. Then over in Revelation
21, right across the page there, in Revelation 21, verse 27, he
calls it the Lamb's book. The Lamb's book of life. He says,
it's my book. John says, it's the book of life.
And now, verse 27, Revelation 21, And there shall in no wise
enter into it, talking about the holy city, heaven, anything
that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh
a lie, but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life." Our Lord said to his disciples,
they returned from preaching. He had sent them on a preaching
mission and they came back. They were rejoicing that the
demons were subject to them. And our Lord said to them in
Luke 10, 20, He said, Don't rejoice that the demons are subject to
you, but rather rejoice that your names are written in heaven. My book, the book of life, the
Lamb's book of life, and some names written, not shall be written,
but are written in heaven. And then Paul talks about that
in Hebrews 12. If you'd like to look at that
scripture, Hebrews 12, verse 23. Hebrews 12, 23. He's talking about the church
here now. Let's read verse 22 and 23. Hebrews 12. But you'll come unto
Mount Zion, That's the church under the city of the living
God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of
angels, to the General Assembly and Church of the Firstborn,
which are written, enrolled in heaven, written in heaven. The great book, my book, the
book of life, the Lamb's book of life. Some names written in
heaven. And that book is closed to the
curiosity of men. It'll be open someday. That's
what we've been reading about. But that time has not come. But
it's written. And every name that'll ever be
there is already written there. One of the hymn writers said,
Eternal Father, who shall look? into thy secret will. None but
the Lamb can take the book and open every seal." It's His book. But I'll be honest with you.
I sure would like to look on those pages, wouldn't you? Come
on now, be honest. That's right. I surely would
love to have a preview, wouldn't you? I'd love to look. I know
very well what I'd do. I'd look for my name. I'd look
under the M's. If they're alphabetical, I don't
know, but I'd have to. I'd have to, Frank. I'd have
to look for my name. Then I'd start looking for some
more folks that are awful close to me, right here in this building.
I'd like to know. But it's impossible, isn't it?
Impossible. And yet, over here in 2 Peter,
John read a scripture. It's impossible to view that
book. It's impossible to know if our
names are there, like J. L. Gray wrote these words. Am
I called? And can it be? Has the Savior
chosen me, guilty, wretched as I am? Will he own and record
my worthless name? Vilest of the vile am I. Dare
I raise my hopes so high? My name written in heaven. My
name written in heaven. Am I called? Am I an heir of
God? Washed, redeemed by his precious
blood? Poor, blind, and naked, I, trembling,
hath thy foot still lie, naught but sin can I call my own, and
sin for sin cannot atone." Is my name written there? Well,
over here in 2 Peter 1, verse 10, Peter plainly declares, Wherefore
the rather brethren give diligence to make your calling and your
election sure. Give diligence, sincere diligence,
to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things,
you'll never fail, for so an influence shall be ministered
unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ. Now, if I cannot see God's book If I cannot see the names that
are written in that book, then how can I make my calling and
election sure? That would be interesting, wouldn't it? They're there. The names
are there. No question about that. Anyone who has any question
about that has more serious questions than to find out if your name
is written. You've got to decide what you believe about God, because He's not going to have
any competitors for His glory there. I can assure you of that.
It's my book. It's the book of life. It's the
book of the Lamb, the Lamb's book of life, and it's written.
It's written. I'm not the only one that that
ask questions like this, I found a sermon by Spurgeon on this
subject, and he said this, How am I to know whether I am elected
by God unto eternal life? It is certainly a question in
which my eternal interests are involved. Am I a child of God? Is my name written
in heaven. Am I among those unhappy creatures
who shall be left in darkness and sin to reap the wages of
their iniquity? Or do I belong to that blessed
company who, though they have sinned, shall nevertheless be
washed in the blood of the Lamb and walk the streets of glory?
Is my name written there? That's what he asked. Is my name
written there? Now until this question is answered,
I can know no rest, for I am anxious about it. My relationship
with Christ concerns me more than my relationship with anybody
on this earth. My relationship with Christ concerns
me more than all the affairs of this life, and I cry. Tear
me, oh, tear me if you know. Is my name written in heaven?
Is my name in the book of life of the Lamb? I'm sorry, there is no answer
to your inquiry. God's book shall not be opened
until that great day. But wait, wait. There's something you can know.
Wait. While God has not been pleased
to publish the names of his redeemed, he does have in his Bible a lot
to say about their character. While he's not been pleased to
reveal their names, he has a lot to say about their conduct He has a lot to say about their
faith and their calling. See if I can illustrate that. I have a name written here on
a piece of paper. There's nobody in this building
knows what name I have written on this piece of paper. Nobody. Come here a minute, Bob. Have
I got a name written down there? Yes, you do. Who is it? There's no way for you to know,
is there? Suppose I describe the person
I've got written down. Oh, and I'll describe this person.
It's a female. I'm not going to say how old
she is. I'll just say she's in her mid-sixties.
I wouldn't handle that subject. She's in her mid-sixties. She's
here tonight. She's five feet, one inch tall. She's got green eyes and blonde
hair. She's married to a preacher.
Sometimes she plays the organ when Martha's not here. She's always in the services
except when she's sick, and she teaches little children. Who
is that? You know, Ronnie? Who is it? Well, you didn't see this. How
did you know who it was? I described it to you. Well, I can't see in God's book. God has some names written up
there. They're written. He wrote them. But right here
in His Word, right here in His Word, He describes those people
whose names are written up there. That's right. What you were talking
about earlier. He describes them. And if you
and I can find ourselves in this description, it's a good possibility
to say, so our names are there. That's right. All right, let's
turn to 1 Thessalonians. 1 Thessalonians chapter 1. Let's see about these people. The Apostle Paul in 1 Thessalonians
chapter 1. This is Paul and Silas. Silvanus
is Silas. 1 Thessalonians 1 verse 1. Paul and Silvanus. That's Silas. And Timothy. Timotheus is Timothy. right into the church of the
Thessalonians. Now Paul and Silas left Macedonia,
Philippi, and they came down to Thessalonica. And Paul preached
there, you read in Acts 17, about three weeks. And there were many
people converted during those three weeks that Paul preached
in Thessalonica. And the foundation of a church
was laid. Like this church here, 13th Street
Baptist Church. A church was founded, people
were converted, brought to Christ, and they established a church.
Paul stayed there three weeks and he left. But he preached
to them constantly while he was there. And then Timothy came
back later and preached to these people. Establishing the believers,
preaching to the believers, teaching the believers in Thessalonica. And then Timothy went back to
Paul and told him all about these people, told Paul about their
works of faith and labor of love and patience of hope in Christ
Jesus. And Paul, under the inspiration
of the Holy Spirit, sat down here and wrote those people. And he says here in verse 1 of
1 Thessalonians 1, He's writing to the church of the Thessalonians,
which is in God the Father, in God in His eternal covenant. Now think about this, he's talking
about these people being in God. Go on, he says, and in Christ,
and down in verse 4 he says, and he knew their election. That's
all I want. I don't have to see the book
of life if I know I'm in God, in Christ, and elect of God,
you see? So he's saying these people are.
He writes back to them, and he says there, you're in God, in
His covenant, in His purpose of redemption, in His garden,
every plant which my Father hath not planted shall be rooted up.
And in the Lord Jesus Christ, chosen in Him, redeemed in Him,
in His body, in the vine, Abiding as a branch in His hands, you're
in Christ, and then He gives this salutation, Grace be unto
you. Grace upon grace, more grace. They're already objects of grace,
but He prays more grace. Grace be unto you and peace. Peace from God our Father. Rest
and peace. Let me tell you, grace always
precedes peace. There can be no peace where there's
no grace. There can be no rest where there's
no grace. But for this church, He prays
more grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ. Now watch verse 2. And I give
thanks to God always for you all. For all of you. You know,
as I read this, I thought about this congregation here. I give
thanks to God always for all of you. For you all. Paul doesn't
thank them for their decision. He doesn't thank them for their
state. He ascribes nothing to them. He thanks God for them.
I thank God always. Thanks be unto God. Brethren,
beloved, He hath chosen you to salvation. I praise God. I always
thank God. Paul ascribes nothing to himself.
Paul doesn't say here, I thank God I came down and spent three
weeks and preached to you. He ascribes nothing to himself
or to his companions or to Silas or to Timothy for the state of
these people. He thanked God for their state.
I thank God for you. Thank God always for all of you. Listen, making mention of you
in my prayers, in our prayers. Now look at this verse 3. Remembering
without ceasing your work of faith, and your labor of love, and your
patience of hope. There's three marks of redemption. Faith, hope, and love. When Paul
wrote 1 Corinthians 13, he said, Now abideth faith, hope, and
love. These three. These three. And that's what he found in this
church. These three. Faith, hope, and love. Faith, hope, and love. But it
wasn't just faith, hope, and love. It was work of faith. A faith, John, that works. A
faith that doesn't work is not saving faith. Those who are written
in the book of life have a faith that works. It's faith alone
that saves, but not faith that is alone. It's a work of faith. Thank God when I heard about
your works of faith, and listen, and your labor of love. Don't
love, my brethren, in word only. You know what he said? A love
that's in word only is no love at all, but a love indeed, indeed,
indeed. Then he says, and your hope. What kind of hope is it? Patient
hope. Waiting on the Lord. Waiting
on the Lord. You see, there's the marks. There's the marks of those people
whose names are written in heaven. They're just not doctrinists.
They're people who have faith, hope, and love. Works of faith,
labor of love, and a patient hope. I watch and wait on the
Lord. I say more than they that watch
for the morning. I wait on the Lord. Be patient. That's one of the marks. David
said that. He said, if I had not believed,
if I had not believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the
land of the living, I would have fainted. I would have fainted. And that's
who faints, and that's who quits, and that's who falls along the
wayside. Their testimony cannot stand the test of time. It's
exactly time, time, years, time. See, that's the major test. He
that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved. It's not
the fellow that starts, it's the fellow that finishes, crosses
the line. I don't care how long the race,
how tiring the race, how burdensome the race, the man that wins the
prize is the one that walks across the line. That's right. Dies in faith. Dies in faith. And that's what he's talking
about here, this work of faith and this labor of love and this
patience of hope. Patience of hope. All right,
let's go on. He says in verse 4, And I know,
brethren beloved, your election of God. I know it. I know your election. I'll tell
you this, the covenant and the election and the atonement and
the book all have the same people. There's no difference. Almighty
God's purpose and Christ's purchase and the Holy Spirit's promise
are one and the same. They're one and the same. All
that the Father giveth me will come to me, and him that cometh
to me I'll in no wise cast out. So he says, I know your election
of God. I know it. For he said, verse 5, and let
me give you these four or five things here. For here's the reason
I know your election of God. I haven't seen the book. I showed Bob the name. He already
knew it. But Ronnie hadn't seen it. But
when I described the person, he knew the name. And Paul hadn't
seen the book either. But he described the persons
whose names are in the book. See if your name's in the book.
Check it out. Listen. He says, here's how I
know your election. For our gospel, and it's just
one gospel, it's the gospel of God's grace and His glory concerning
His Son. Our gospel, that saving gospel
of free and sovereign grace, it came not to you in word only.
That's not the way you heard it, just words. But our gospel
came to you in power. Convicting power, converting
power, quickening power, resurrecting power, power in the heart. And it came in the Holy Ghost.
The Spirit of God gave life. It came in much assurance, confidence,
not in yourself, in Christ. As you know what manner of men
we were among you for your sake, and also confidence in the messenger. That's right, a man who knows
the gospel, And here's the gospel. He has confidence in the man
who brought the message. That's right. He listens to it.
He learns from it. That's right. That's the first
mark. Paul said, I know you're elected
because your gospel came to you not in creed, not in a catechism,
not in words, not in reasonable doctrine. It came in power, experience. Life-giving power. And then secondly,
verse 6, and you became followers. Followers. Followers of us. Followers
of those who preach to you. The gospel. Who taught you the
gospel. You listened to them. You learned
from them. You became followers. You say, I never follow a man.
Oh yes, you do too. You hear from God, you'll hear
from a man. If you're taught anything, you'll be taught by
a man. God, I haven't seen any angels around here lately teaching
classes, have you? That's what the Ethiopian eunuch
said. Philip said, do you understand
what you read? He said, how can I? He said, some man show me.
And Paul said, you follow it, you listen. You followed us,
and you followed the Lord. You became followers. Having
received the Word in much affliction, And that's how the word comes
to. It comes in persecution. It comes
in affliction. This world does not love the
gospel, unfortunately. It does not love those who preach
the gospel. It does not love him of whom
the gospel speaks. It does not love those who believe
the gospel. Christ said, they hate me, they'll
hate you. And you receive this gospel. in much affliction, harassment,
persecution. It was different. It's a different
gospel from the gospel that the world preaches. And you received
it in much affliction, but you did that with joy. With joy. I'm willing, aren't you? My friends,
God is on the throne. Absolutely, unquestionably, infinitely,
unchangeably holy and sovereign, what you read about tonight.
Man is shut up to the mercy of God, the sovereign mercy, the
free mercy, the mercy of God in Christ. And Christ came down
here to redeem a people, and God's going to redeem those people.
They're going to hear the Word, they're going to believe it.
Their names are written in heaven. Now that's just so, that's the
gospel. Christ died for our sins, effectually, personally. He purged
our sins and sat down on the right hand of God. He's risen
and ascended where He intercedes for us. That's just so. But I'm happy about that gospel. I received it, preached it, created
quite a stir, but my joy is in God. All right? And you were
examples. Examples. You were examples. You've been
examples to other churches. This church is an example to
other churches. I'll trust its pastor is an example. In dedication. In preaching the
Word. Its men, its leaders are examples. This congregation, if our names
are written in heaven, we are examples to other people. Examples
in our conduct, examples in our lives, examples in our conversation,
examples in our giving, examples in our love and faith, examples
in our joy. We're examples to other people. Those are the ones to those in
Macedonia and Achaia. And then verse 8, And from you
sounded out the word of the Lord. Not only in Macedonia, not only
in your own community and in your own household and Achaia,
but in every place. You loved that gospel and you
wanted other people to hear it. You loved that gospel and you
wanted other people to rejoice in it and love it too. So you
sent out missionaries. You witnessed here and you witnessed
there and you sent out your pastor and sent out missionaries and
sent out your young men sent out others to preach, and provided
for them, and prayed for them. Those are folks whose names are
written in heaven. That's right, those are the folks written in
heaven. Our gospel came to you in power,
in the power of God, life-changing, life-changing power. You became
a follower. identified with the Lord, identified
with his people, identified with them. A follower of those who
preach the gospel, a follower of the Lord. And you received
the gospel, you were willing to believe it and put your name
on the line. And you were afflicted and persecuted
for that gospel that you believed. But you were happy about it.
You received it with joy of the Holy Ghost. And then you became
examples. Examples in your life and conduct.
Walk before men in such a way that they could say, he's been
with Jesus. God's done something for him.
He's different. He's different. He tells the
truth. Man of honesty. Man of integrity. Woman of honesty
and integrity. Example to the household, to
the children, to the grandchildren, to the people around them. And
then you sounded out that gospel. You sent others and you gave
and you prayed for them and you were interested in other people
knowing the gospel. You were faithful to the gospel
yourself and faithful to the proclamation of that gospel.
In every place, verse 8, in every place your faith to God is spoken
of and spread abroad. I can tell you this. I haven't
seen that book. But I've seen some folks right
here whom this description fits. That's right. Some faithful,
dedicated, committed people of God. Yeah, your faith is spoken of
and people are talking about you everywhere. They're talking
about you in a good way. Your faith to God is spread abroad
so that I need not speak anything. I don't need to add anything
to it. I don't need to. I don't need to bring up your
name. They bring it up. They bring
it up. Verse 9, For they themselves
show of us what manner of entering in we have unto you, and how
you turn to God. You turn to God from your idols. What are these idols? Well, they
may be material idols, but then again they may be other idols,
false works, dead works, religious traditions, our own righteousness,
our pride, our lust, our passions, our selfishness. You turn from
these idols. He laid these things down. What
did you do that for? So you could serve the living
God. That's why you turn from Him. Because you can't serve
both. Man can't serve God and mammon. He can't serve God and
the world. He can't serve God and riches.
He has to lay those things down. And you turn from Him. These
are people whose names are in the book of life. Paul says, I know your election,
and the election and the book of life are one and the same.
The election and the covenant are one and the same. The covenant
and the book of life are one and the same. So he says, I know
that you're in that book because I just described you. And you
turn to God from your idols because you're one determination and
dedication, whatever it costs. was to serve the living God,
the living and true God. Mike sang it this morning, I'm
His and He's mine. As long as God and I shall be,
I'm His and He's mine, whatever it costs, whatever I've turned
from. And then he says this, and you're
waiting for someone. You're waiting. Well, you're
waiting on We're waiting for His Son from heaven. We're not
standing idle around waiting on His Son. We're working with
those works of faith and labor of love and patience of hope,
but we're waiting on someone. He's coming. He said, I go to
prepare a place for you, and if I come again, I'll receive
you unto Myself that where I am there you may be also. And I'm
waiting. I'm waiting. Who's this we're waiting on?
We're waiting on the One who died for our sins. And we're waiting on the One,
listen, whom He raised from the dead. That's who we're waiting
on. This same Jesus, it's even Jesus who delivered us from the
wrath to come. Our hope is in Him. Our confidence
is in Him. Our rest is in Him. Our redemption
is in Him. And we're waiting on Him. Waiting
on Him. I'm not waiting on a rapture,
I'm waiting on Him. I'm not waiting on a millennium,
I'm waiting on Him. I'm not waiting on a kingdom,
I'm waiting on Him, the King. We're not going to worship a
kingdom, we're going to worship the King. He's our King. Firm as His throne, this gospel
stands. My Lord, my hope, my trust. If I am found in Jesus' hands,
my soul can never be lost, because His honor is engaged to save
even the weakest of His sheep. All that my Heavenly Father gave,
His hands will securely keep. Nor death nor hell shall ever
remove His people from His breast. in the dear bosom of his love
they must forever rest. And the terrors of law and of
God with me have nothing to do. My Savior's obedience and my
Savior's blood hide all my transgressions from view. The precious blood
of God's dear Son shall never be shed in vain. The soul on
Christ believing must with Jesus forever reign. My name's written there. Your
name. I know. I know. I know. I know. Because that's the description
of those whose names are there. Not perfectly do I fit that description,
but I fit it.

Make Your Calling and Election Sure

What does the Bible say about the book of life?

How do we know our election is sure?

Why is the doctrine of election important for Christians?

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About Henry Mahan

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Make Your Calling and Election Sure

What does the Bible say about the book of life?

How do we know our election is sure?

Why is the doctrine of election important for Christians?

Sermon Transcript

About Henry Mahan

Comments

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