Chosen by God – Three Difficult Questions
Pastor Tan Thai
This sermon addresses three difficult questions regarding God's election: whether God's choice is fair, where human free will exists, and why we need to share the Gospel if God has already chosen. The pastor explains that God's election is God's prerogative, based on God's mercy rather than justice, and is accomplished through the work of the entire Trinity.
The sermon begins by recalling the series on 1 Peter with the theme "Faith in the Fire." Pastor Peter writes this letter to scattered believers in Asia Minor who are enduring persecution, hardship, and loss because of their faith in Christ. The sermon emphasizes that suffering is inevitable for those who believe in God, not because faith guarantees ease, but rather because believers will be mocked, criticized, persecuted, and imprisoned. The fire of trial is compared to the process of refining precious metals, where true purity and value are revealed.
The second section develops two major doctrines presented in the first two verses of 1 Peter: the Trinity and election. The pastor explains that all three persons of the Trinity participate in salvation: God the Father chooses beforehand according to His foreknowledge, the Holy Spirit sanctifies the believer so they can accept Christ, and Christ poured out His blood for redemption. Sanctification is not a one-time event but continues daily as the Holy Spirit helps believers recognize sin and change. The pastor affirms that believers cannot lose their salvation because God foreknew and chose them; if they lost salvation, God's choice would be an error, contradicting His omniscience and omnipotence.
The third section presents the first question: "Is God's election fair?" The pastor explains that God's election is entirely God's prerogative and based on God's mercy, not human effort. Grace is not justice—grace is a gift the recipient does not deserve to receive. Scripture teaches that God grants two kinds of grace: common grace to all people (sun, rain, conscience, beauty, talent) and saving grace to those chosen for eternal life with God. The pastor notes that those chosen are typically humble, despised, and poor rather than wealthy, intelligent, and beautiful by worldly standards.
The fourth section addresses the second question: "If God chose, where is human freedom of choice?" The pastor emphasizes that God created humans with free choice, but human sinful nature prevents them from wanting to choose God—not an inability to choose but an unwillingness. According to Romans 8:6-7, the mind set on the flesh is hostile to God. Humans are free to choose but within the limits of their sinful nature. The intervention of the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of the heart and change one's desire is necessary for a person to choose God.
The fifth section answers the third question: "If God already chose, why share the Gospel?" The pastor provides four main reasons: First, Christ commanded the church to share the Gospel as a duty and responsibility. Second, Christ's love moves us to express gratitude for salvation by willingly and gladly sharing. Third, being used by God to proclaim the Gospel is an honor, not a burden. Fourth, sharing the Gospel helps increase faith and transform the lives of both the sharer and the hearer.