This is an excerpt lifted from an article in The Sovereign Grace - MESSAGE, July-August, 1991 issue. E.W. Johnson wrote this article, he is the former pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Pine Bluff, AR. Bro. Johnson is now with the Lord.
In light of the great commissions of our Lord (Matt 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-16, Luke 24:45-47), Bro. Johnson wrote:
But is it not true that we cannot be used of God in the calling of His elect to salvation unless we preach the gospel to all nations, to every creature, as God is pleased to open the door to us, for it cannot be known aforetime who the elect of God are?
Before a person is called effectually to faith in Christ, it cannot be known that he or she is of the elect of God. The elect of God are found in strange places.
Who would have thought that the woman at the well at Sychar would prove to be one of the elect of God?
Who would have thought that the dying thief was one of those whom the Father had given to the Son? How could this have been known before that thief was called to salvation?
Who would have thought that the great enemy of the early church, Saul of Tarsus, would prove to be one of the elect of God?
Yes, certainly in obedience to the great commissions of our blessed Lord we must preach the gospel to all the world, as God opens doors of opportunity, but what is our motive?
Are we seeking to save all men, or are we seeking to be used of God in the calling of His elect to salvation?
emphasis is mine
Supporting scriptures
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matt 28:18-20
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Mark 16:15-16
Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. Luke 24:45-47
In light of the great commissions of our Lord (Matt 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-16, Luke 24:45-47), Bro. Johnson wrote:
But is it not true that we cannot be used of God in the calling of His elect to salvation unless we preach the gospel to all nations, to every creature, as God is pleased to open the door to us, for it cannot be known aforetime who the elect of God are?
Before a person is called effectually to faith in Christ, it cannot be known that he or she is of the elect of God. The elect of God are found in strange places.
Who would have thought that the woman at the well at Sychar would prove to be one of the elect of God?
Who would have thought that the dying thief was one of those whom the Father had given to the Son? How could this have been known before that thief was called to salvation?
Who would have thought that the great enemy of the early church, Saul of Tarsus, would prove to be one of the elect of God?
Yes, certainly in obedience to the great commissions of our blessed Lord we must preach the gospel to all the world, as God opens doors of opportunity, but what is our motive?
Are we seeking to save all men, or are we seeking to be used of God in the calling of His elect to salvation?
emphasis is mine
Supporting scriptures
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matt 28:18-20
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Mark 16:15-16
Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. Luke 24:45-47
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