Sovereign Grace Church

We are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.

(2 Thessalonians 2:13)

In [considering] this momentous truth, let us begin where God himself began, namely, with election. To whom are we indebted for that first of all spiritual blessings? Pride says, “To me;” self-righteousness says, “To me;” man’s unconverted will says, “To me.” But faith joins with God’s word in saying, “Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name” be the whole glory of thy electing love ascribed. Thou didst not choose us on supposition of our first choosing thee, but through the victorious operation of thy mighty Spirit, we choose thee for our Portion and our God, in consequence of thy having first and freely chosen us to be thy people.

It is no easy lesson to say, from the heart, “Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us!” Self-righteousness cleaves to us as naturally and as closely as our skins; nor can any power, but that of an Almighty hand, slay us of it. I remember an instance, full to the point, and which I give, on the authority of a clergyman, now living, and eminent above many for his labors and usefulness. This worthy person assured me, a year or two since, that he once visited a criminal, who was under sentence of death for a capital offense, I think for murder. My friend endeavored to set before him the evil he had done, and to convince him that he was lost and ruined, unless Christ saved him by His blood, righteousness, and grace. “I am not much concerned about that,” answered the self-righteous malefactor. “I have not, to be sure, led so good a life as some have; but I am certain that many have [been sentenced to death] who were much worse men than myself.” So you see, a murderer may go to the [electric chair] trusting in his own righteousness! And you and I should have gone to hell, trusting in our own righteousness, if Christ had not stopped us by the way. [AMEN!]