Roger Duke
Feb 272 min read
Roger Duke
Feb 272 min read
February 12 - I Believe We are Elect in Christ
Roger Duke
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him in love”
Ephesians 1: 3-4
This entry is taken from Daily Readings - John Bunyan a 366 day devotional edited by (and posted with permission from) Roger D. Duke, Scholar-in-Residence at Stage & Story, and published by Christian Heritage Press.
Each month focuses on a different book or writing by Bunyan. For February: My Confession of Faith (or A Confession of My Faith and a Reason of My Practice, or, With Who, and Who Not, I can Hold Church-fellowship, or the Communion of Saints)
I believe that Christ Jesus is he in whom the elect are always considered; and that without him there is neither election, Grace, nor salvation. Having predestinated us to the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself; according to the good pleasure of his will—to the praise of the glory of his grace. Where he has made us accepted in the beloved, in whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his grace. That in the dispensation of the fullness of times; he might gather together in one all things in Christ which are in heaven. And gather all things that are in earth even in him. Neither is their salvation in any other: For there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved Ephesians 1: 5-7, 10; Acts 4: 12).
I believe that there is no impediment attending the election [elect] of God that can hinder their conversion and eternal salvation. Moreover, whom he did predestinate them he also called. And whom he called them he also justified. And whom he justified them he also glorified. What shall we say to these things; if God be for us, who can be against us? Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is not God that justifies? Who is he that condemns? What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeks. But the election [elect] hath obtained it and the rest were blinded. For Israel hath not been forsaken nor Judah of his God the Lord of hosts. Though their land was filled with sin even against the holy one of Israel (Romans 8: 30-34; Chapters 11: 7; Jeremiah 51: 5; Acts 9: 12-15).
John Bunyan was a preacher, theologian and author, whose best-known work, The Pilgrim's Progress, has challenged and influenced readers for almost 350 years.
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