Communion Meditation
May 9, 2021
“And when the Gentiles heard this (that salvation is brought/offered to the ends of the earth), they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.” Acts 13:48
When they heard that a full, and free salvation through Jesus Christ was sincerely offered to them, they rejoiced, they gloried in that word of the Gospel, and they believed. That reaction to the gospel demonstrated that they were chosen by God to believe.
Election is a great comfort to the people of God; it was never intended as a barrier to belief.
“The doctrine of election, like every truth about God, involves mystery and sometimes stirs controversy. But in Scripture, it is a pastoral doctrine, brought in to help Christians see how great is the grace that saves them, and to move them to humility, confidence, joy, praise, faithfulness, and holiness in response. It is the family secret of the children of God. We do not know who else he has chosen among those who do not yet believe, nor why it was his good pleasure to choose us in particular. What we do know is, first, that had we not been chosen for life we would not be believers now (for only the elect are brought to faith), and, second, that as elect believers we may rely on God to finish in us the good work that he started. Knowledge of one’s election thus brings comfort and joy.” JI Packer
In God’s thinking, election leads to faith.
In our experience, faith demonstrates our election.
The question is not, am I elect? But rather, do I believe the gospel?
That is the question that we ask when we come to the Lord’s Supper. Do I believe that Jesus came, suffered, and died for me, in my place, and for my salvation. If you do, you must come to the table for assurance. If you do not, this table cannot help you.
The question is not, am I worthy of this table? But rather, do I believe the good news? If so, you are worthy, in Christ, to come to this table.
We come to grow in humility, expand our praise, sweeten our joy, deepen our holiness. We come for more of Christ, our savior.