God's Electing Love: A Delightful Overflow of Boundless Happiness

God’s Electing Love: A Delightful Overflow of Boundless Happiness

Have you ever wondered why God chooses certain people for Himself? What is the basis of His selection? Is it because of their merit or worthiness? The truth is, God's electing love is an absolutely free and gracious overflow of His boundless happiness, guided by His infinite wisdom. Let's dive into the depths of this amazing truth and explore the biblical foundation of God's choosing.

In Deuteronomy 10:14-15, we find a beautiful description of God's delight in choosing Israel as His people. Moses writes, "Behold, to the Lord your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it. Yet the Lord set his heart in love on your fathers and chose their offspring after them, you above all peoples, as you are this day."

At first glance, it might seem odd that Moses describes God's election of Israel against the backdrop of His ownership of the whole universe. Why does he emphasize God's sovereignty over all creation before stating that He chose Israel? The reason is to debunk the pagan notion that a god may have the right and authority to have his own people, but no more. Moses wants to make it clear that Yahweh, the one true God, owns everything in the universe and has the right to choose any people He desires for His special possession.

God's choosing of Israel is a demonstration of His freedom and universal rights. He could have chosen any people on the face of the earth for His redeeming purposes. Or He could have chosen all of them, or none of them. He is not bound by any limitations in His selection. By putting verses 14 and 15 together, Moses underscores the freedom and authority of God in His choosing.

Furthermore, we see in verse 15 that God exercises His sovereign freedom to set His heart in love on the fathers of Israel. "He delighted in your fathers to love them." God's love for the fathers was not constrained by anything in their Jewishness or virtue. It was a free and merciful love, simply because God delighted to love them.

This truth holds great significance for us as believers in Christ. Just as God freely chose the fathers of Israel, He has also chosen us. His choice was not based on anything in us, but purely out of His delight and pleasure. We are the recipients of His gracious and sovereign love.

To further understand the concept of God's electing love, let's explore other references from the Bible. In Ephesians 1:4-5, the apostle Paul writes, "Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will." Here, Paul emphasizes that God's choice of us occurred before the foundation of the world. It was a deliberate and intentional act on His part, driven by His love and will.

In Romans 9, Paul delves deeper into the subject of God's election. He uses the analogy of Jacob and Esau to illustrate God's sovereign choice. He writes, "though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls" (Romans 9:11). Paul highlights that God's choice is not based on human works or merit, but solely on His own purpose and calling.

Throughout the Bible, we see examples of God's electing love in action. Abraham, Moses, David, and the prophets were all chosen by God for specific purposes. Jesus Himself chose His twelve disciples to be His apostles. These individuals did not earn or deserve their position; it was a divine appointment from God.

But what about those who were not chosen? Does God's electing love imply that He rejects or condemns others? The apostle Paul addresses this concern in Romans 9:14-18. He writes, "What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means! For he says to Moses, 'I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.' So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy." Paul assures us that God's choice is not unjust or unfair. He is the sovereign Creator who has the right to show mercy to whomever He pleases.

Understanding God's electing love should lead us to a place of humility and gratitude. We can never boast or take credit for our salvation, for it is a gift bestowed upon us by God's grace. It should also foster a sense of awe and wonder at the depth of God's love for His people. Despite our unworthiness, He chose us to be His own.

The doctrine of God's electing love can be a source of comfort and assurance for believers. It reminds us that our salvation is not dependent on our own efforts or abilities, but on God's sovereign choice. It offers hope and security, knowing that our eternal destiny is in the hands of a loving and faithful God who has chosen us for Himself.

In conclusion, God's electing love is a beautiful and mysterious truth. It is an expression of His boundless happiness and infinite wisdom. He freely chooses whom He desires, not because of anything in us, but purely out of His delight and pleasure. As believers, we can rest in the assurance that we are chosen and loved by God, and that our salvation is secure in His hands. Let us marvel at the depth of His love and give thanks for His gracious choice.