Doctrine

Chosen by God – Three Difficult Questions

Pastor Tan Thai · Jan 31, 2021

1 Peter 1:1-21 Peter 1:31 Peter 1:52 Timothy 3:12Philippians 1:6Romans 9:14-18Ephesians 2:8-9Romans 8:1-4Romans 8:6-7Romans 10:13-15Romans 1:161 Corinthians 1:27-282 Corinthians 5:14-15John 3:27Matthew 5:44-45Matthew 11:28Matthew 28:19-20Acts 1:8Deuteronomy 7:6-7Deuteronomy 32:10Joshua 24:15Genesis 2:15-17Hebrews 11:36-38Isaiah 52:7-8Ephesians 6:19Philemon 1:62 Kings 7:3-11Luke 17:11-19

This sermon, based on 1 Peter 1:1-2, explores the doctrine of God's election (predestination) and three common difficult questions about it. The pastor explains that salvation is the work of all three persons of the Trinity, given by grace rather than human merit, and that believers have a responsibility to share the Gospel even though God has chosen beforehand.

This sermon is part of an ongoing series on 1 Peter titled "Faith in the Furnace." The pastor explains that Peter wrote this letter to believers suffering trials and persecution for their faith, comparing their hardship to a furnace that refines gold. In 1 Peter 1:1-2, the pastor identifies two foundational doctrines: the Trinity and election — in which God the Father elects (predestines), the Holy Spirit calls and sanctifies, and Jesus Christ sheds His blood for the atonement of sin.

The first question addressed is whether God's election is fair. The pastor argues that salvation is entirely grace — a gift given to those who do not deserve it — not a right that humanity can demand. Drawing from Romans 9:14-18, Ephesians 2:8-9, and other passages, he shows that God often chooses the weak, lowly, and despised (such as ethnic minority hill-tribe peoples in Vietnam), not according to worldly standards. Justice and grace are two entirely different things, and those who truly understand grace cannot accuse God of unfairness.

The second question concerns human free will. The pastor affirms that human beings have freedom to choose, but due to their sinful nature, they neither want nor are capable of choosing God on their own (Romans 8:6-7). God did not create people as robots, but after Adam and Eve sinned, the sinful nature causes humanity to be inherently opposed to God. Therefore, those who are chosen are those whose hearts the Holy Spirit opens to see the value of God's kingdom, while those who are not chosen live according to their own will until the day of judgment.

The third question is: if God has already chosen, why is there still a need to share the Gospel? The pastor presents four reasons: (1) It is the command of Jesus Christ in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8); (2) The love of Christ compels believers (2 Corinthians 5:14-15), as illustrated by Andrew, Philip, and the Samaritan woman; (3) Being used by God in Gospel proclamation is an honor, not a burden (Romans 10:13-15); and (4) Sharing the Gospel strengthens the faith of the one who shares (Philemon 1:6).

The sermon closes with a call for every believer to recognize the responsibility to share the Gospel not out of compulsion but out of genuine gratitude. Having received the precious gift of saving grace, believers are called to express their thankfulness through a life of witness and sharing their faith with those around them.