God's Love Before the Foundation of the World - Part 2
VBC Albuquerque · Dec 3, 2023
This sermon continues the doctrine of God's election before the foundation of the world, based on Ephesians 1:4-5. It addresses three difficult questions about election: whether it is just, where human free will stands, and why evangelism is necessary if God has already chosen.
The opening section of the sermon presents the foundational doctrine of God's election before the foundation of the world. According to Ephesians 1:4-5, before the world was made, God chose those He selected in Christ to be holy and blameless, and predestined them to be adopted as sons through the grace given in the Beloved. This doctrine explains why God's love precedes human decision to believe, rather than being a consequence of personal choice. This theology distinguishes Christianity entirely from other religions such as Buddhism or Islam, since Christianity teaches that no one can save himself through his own effort or desire, but only through God's grace alone.
The first difficult question concerns whether God's election is just. The sermon explains that justice (fairness) differs completely from grace (unmerited favor). Justice means treating everyone alike according to the same standard, but grace means giving what is undeserved. God gives mankind two types of grace: common grace extended to all people (such as sun, rain, conscience, and talents) and special grace given to those He chooses (to believe and have eternal life). Scripture clearly teaches that God's election is entirely His prerogative, not based on human effort or worthiness. The sermon points out that God often chooses those who are despised, poor, and lowly to display His glory, not according to worldly standards (wealth, intelligence, beauty). In Vietnam, although ethnic minorities comprise only about 2% of the population, they constitute approximately 25% of all believers, clear evidence of how God operates according to His sovereign choice.
The second difficult question is: if God has chosen, where is human free will? The sermon emphasizes that God created mankind with freedom of choice, not as robots. However, after sin entered, human sinful nature limits the capacity to choose rightly. Humans still have freedom to choose, but tend to choose according to the flesh rather than God's word. Human nature by default desires to follow fleshly impulses and does not naturally want to choose God. Only when the Holy Spirit illuminates the eyes of the heart and regenerates a person can they choose to believe in Christ. Therefore, free will exists, but it operates within the context of sinful nature and the illumination of the Holy Spirit.
The third difficult question is: why share the Gospel if God has already chosen? The sermon gives five main reasons. First, no one knows who is chosen and who is not, because only God knows this. Second, Jesus Christ commanded His disciples to share the Gospel—it is the responsibility and duty of every believer. Third, the love of Christ constrains us to share with others about salvation. Fourth, being used by God to proclaim the Gospel is an honor, not a burden. Fifth, sharing the Gospel helps grow faith and transforms the lives of both the speaker and the hearer. The sermon emphasizes that as long as a person is alive, they still have the opportunity to hear the Gospel and accept salvation, so we remain responsible to share it with them.