What God's Word Says About Abortion?

Pro-abortionists try to “dehumanize” unborn children by referring to them as merely “lumps of tissue” or “products of conception”; however, biblically, as well as biologically, you and I are unique human beings from the moment of conception. The result of conception (the “product” that is conceived) is known as a baby, as Scripture (and science) tells us:

“The babies jostled each other within her.” (Genesis 25:22)

“When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb.” (Luke 1:41)

Some abortion supporters go so far as to claim that early religions did not bar abortion—a claim that is contrary to the truth. God speaks very clearly on the value of the unborn in the Scriptures, the basis for both the Jewish and Christian faiths.

Each Life Is of Value

God’s Word says that He personally made each one of us, and has a plan for each life:

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.” (Jeremiah 1:5)

For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb…Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be. (Psalm 139:13,16)

“Your hands shaped me and made me . . . Did You not clothe me with skin and flesh and knit me together with bones and sinews? You gave me life.” (Job 10:8–12)

This is what the Lord says—He who made you, who formed you in the womb. (Isaiah 44:2)

“Did not He who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same One form us both within our mothers?” (Job 31:15)

Because man is made in God’s own image (Genesis 1:27), each life is of great value to God: “Children are a gift from God” (Psalm 127:3). He even calls our children His own: “You took your sons and daughters whom you bore to Me and sacrificed them…You slaughtered My children” (Ezekiel 16:20,21).

Taking Innocent Life Is Murder

The Bible says of our Creator, “In His hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of every human being” (Job 12:10). God, the giver of life, commands us not to take the life of an innocent person: “Do not shed innocent blood” (Jeremiah 7:6), and He warns us, “Cursed is the man who accepts a bribe to kill an innocent person” (Deuteronomy 27:25). The Sixth Commandment, written in stone by the finger of God, commands, “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13).

The unborn baby is undeniably alive and growing, and taking its life is clearly murder, as the prophet Jeremiah points out: “He did not kill me in the womb, with my mother as my grave” (Jeremiah 20:17). God vowed to punish those who “ripped open the women with child” (Amos 1:13). In ancient Israel, the unborn child was granted equal protection in the law; if he lost his life, the one who caused his death must lose his own life: “If men who are fighting hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined . . .But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life” (Exodus 21:22,23).

According to the Scriptures, God, Jews, and Christians unanimously agree: Life is a gift created by God, and is not to be taken away by abortion. God is “pro-choice,” but He tells us clearly the only acceptable choice to make:

“I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.” (Deuteronomy 30:19)

Youth Ministry Is Not Just A Stepping Stone:

I once interviewed for two ministry positions at the same time—a youth pastor role and a senior pastor role.

I ended up pursuing the youth position, understanding it as the best fit in that season. When I tell people, I get a variety of responses from a simple “Great!” to “Why don’t you want to be a senior pastor?”

A common misunderstanding about youth pastors is that they’re training for the higher-ranking position of lead pastor. While it’s true many pastors once worked with youth, the two roles are distinct. Senior pastors who’ve previously served as youth pastors can provide encouragement and understanding. They can also channel their experience into unrealistic expectations, perhaps beginning with the refrain, “Back when I was a youth pastor . . .”

The implication of such responses is that the youth pastor role isn’t true ministry; only those who have the title of senior or lead pastor hold that distinction.

In 1 Corinthians 12:12–27 Paul uses parts of the body to illustrate God’s people needing one another. Each person within the body of Christ is valuable and helps the church function. No part is inadequate or indispensable. While Paul may suggest a difference in role for church members, he makes clear that everyone is needed:

God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. (1 Cor. 12:24–27)

Youth pastors should be seen as a valuable part of the body. God places us in a unique position to minister to children, young people, and their families. We’re part of the wider church seeking to serve those in a particular demographic, those with particular questions about faith and unique struggles as they move through adolescence into adulthood.

The youth pastor—especially those who are part of a pastoral team—seeks to fulfill his ministry to students through the same lens as the lead pastor. Their goals are largely the same: to serve, to teach the Scriptures, and to present everyone mature in Christ.

Encourage and Champion

First Timothy 3 outlines the qualifications for all pastoral leaders, which includes (I believe) modern youth pastors. When we view and treat the youth pastor role as a mere stepping stone to senior ministry, we do a disservice to the body of Christ in at least four ways.

1. It minimizes the importance of ministry to young people.

Staff members who have a pastoral role work hard at teaching God’s Word and shepherding those under their care. The youth pastor helps families, recognizing that the primary role of spiritual guidance and teaching belongs to parents. In this age of loneliness and confusion, the importance of having another mature adult walk alongside young people can’t be overstated.

2. It pressures youth pastors to look for the next thing.

The youth pastor in your church already puts immense pressure on himself. Adding expectations about moving up the church ladder doesn’t lower the pressure; it leaves him feeling more insecure about his value and place. Encourage your youth pastor by letting him know you deeply appreciate him and his work.

3. It says youth pastors should only be around for a short time.

It’s been estimated that youth pastors stay about 18 months at a given church. I hope this isn’t true, though anecdotal evidence suggests it is. When a youth pastor is asked questions about eventually becoming a senior pastor, he often falls into the trap of accepting short tenures. How great are the ministries of those who have stayed and faithfully taught the Scriptures, who have rejoiced at conversions and baptisms, and who have participated in marriage ceremonies.

Let’s encourage and champion long-term youth ministry.

4. It fails to appreciate individual gifts for ministry.

As I was interviewing for those two positions, I knew youth ministry was my passion and calling. While being a senior pastor is appealing in certain ways, the issue is one of the heart: Am I seeking a name on the door or a title on a business card? Once we’ve dealt with our own pride and popularity-seeking, there’s still the issue of the gifts and desires a sovereign God has chosen to give. This is something I wrestle with, and no doubt other youth pastors do, too.

The next time you speak with a youth pastor, encourage him in his gifting and calling. He is a vital part of the mission, service, and ministry of Christ’s church.

Tough Question: Will You Perform A Wedding For A Couple Living Together?

Tough Question: Will You Perform A Wedding For A Couple Living Together? 

This is a good place for a text that speaks to the issue.

There isn’t one.

I’m sorry. (Sorrier than I can tell you. Every preacher would love to have it spelled out in scriptural black and white that the minister can marry certain couples and should decline invitations to join in holy matrimony certain others.)

I recall my surprise on finding that the Bible contains no wedding ceremonies. None, nada. It is not silent about marriage, but completely mute on weddings (well, other than the fact that Jesus catered the wine for one in Cana of Galilee, but as a card-totin’ Southern Baptist, I am not going there!).

I love getting requests to join couples in holy matrimony and was excited at the opportunity to conduct my first weddings. Then I quickly learned that I have been thrown into the deep end of the pastoral-decision-making pool.  I found I had to choose–often with little preparation and guidance–whether to marry the divorced, the unchurched, and couples who are already living together as husband and wife.

I am learning that in some cases, there is no single right answer.

Sorry (again). I wish this could be a cut-and-dried thing.

Here is my policy when it comes to marriage:

1) I believe you should take each invitation separately, consider it prayerfully, and do what the Spirit within you says.

2) If you try to be consistent with a rigid policy, you will drive yourself nuts and alienate people. Remember, “the letter of the law kills; the Spirit gives life” (II Corinthians 3:6).

3) If you are a perfectionist, this is going to keep you up nights. There will be times when to marry a couple will offend certain people in your church or your community, and to turn them down is to offend another group.  Welcome to the pastorate of the 21st century, preacher. No one said it was going to be simple or easy.

Every young pastor faces this. Every. Young. Pastor. Faces. This.  You are not the first nor the last.

Therefore, seek counsel from veteran ministers on this and other subjects. I suggest you ask them to meet you for coffee (you’re paying) because you need their advice.  Do this with two or three of the most respected pastors you know.

Then, now that you are thoroughly confused–because their experience and their counsel will almost always be different–enter into your prayer room and don’t come out until you know what the Lord would have you to do.

My personal testimony on this…is much like every other preacher’s I know.

I started out strongly vowing I would not do weddings for divorced people or people living together. High standards, right?

I have since learned that nothing is simple or cut-and-dried except for those who automatically reject complexities and contexts.

Everything I’m attempting to convey comes down to the following:

1) Know the Word and stay with it.

2) Seek the Lord and obey Him.

3) Love people and look for ways to bless them.

4) Put rules before either the Lord or people and nothing good will come of it.

5) Be open to growing and changing as the Lord leads.

6) Every wedding you conduct will be an act of faith since no one has ever learned  how to predict which marriages will “make it” and which won’t.

7) If you have to choose on erring on the side of grace or law, choose grace.

To answer the question: will you perform a wedding for a couple living together? It depends. How about calling the church office, setting up an appointment and we can talk about your wedding?

How To Destroy Your Marriage Before It Begins:

Many unmarried Christian couples struggle with sexual sin. This should be no surprise, since we have an enemy set against us and our impending marriage (1 Pet. 5:8). He hates God, and he hates marriage because it depicts the gospel (Eph. 5:32).

One of Satan’s most effective strategies to corrupt the gospel-portraying union of marriage is to attack couples through sexual sin before they say “I do.” Here are four of his most common ploys to attack marriages before they begin.

1. Satan wants us to make a pattern of obeying our desires instead of God’s direction.

God’s ways are good, but Satan wants us to believe they aren’t. This has been his plan from the first call to compromise in the garden (Gen. 3:1-6). His end goal is for us to develop a consistent pattern of resisting the Spirit and following our sinful desires once we get into marriage. He wants us to learn to resist service and to pursue selfishness. If we learn to do what we want when we want before marriage, we’ll carry that pattern into the days and years that follow.

This, however, is deadly since service and sacrifice are essential to a healthy, Christ-honoring marriage. Love in marriage is shown by a thousand daily decisions to do what you don’t want—whether doing the dishes or changing a diaper or watching a movie instead of a basketball game.

If your relationship before marriage is characterized by giving into urges of immediate desire, you’ll most certainly struggle when you encounter the nitty-gritty of married life.

2. Satan wants us to underestimate how susceptible we are to temptation.

Satan wants us to think we won’t take our sin to the next level. He wants us to think we’re stronger than we really are. He wants us to think we’ll never go that far. This is a powerful trick since it simultaneously plays on both our pride and also our well-intended desire to honor God. You’re weaker than you think. You can go where you think you won’t. Sin is like an undercurrent in the ocean—if you play in it, you’ll be overpowered and swept away into certain destruction.

One of the ways Satan works this angle is by tempting you to think purity is a not-to-be-crossed line rather than a posture of the heart. He wants you to think purity before God is not kissing or not taking off clothes or not having oral sex or not “going all the way.” He wants you to think that if you don’t cross a certain line, you’re staying pure.

The problem with this kind of thinking, however, is that Jesus says if we just lust in our heart we’ve sinned and stand condemned before God (Matt. 5:27-30). Purity is much more about the posture of our hearts than the position of our bodies. The age-old “How far is too far?” question may reveal a desire to get as close to sin as possible instead of a desire to flee as our Lord calls us to (1 Cor. 6:18).

3. Satan wants couples to weaken their trust in one another.

When we compromise sexually, we’re showing the other person we’re willing to use and abuse them to get what makes us happy. Every time we push the boundaries with our fiancée or lead her into sin we are communicating, though we don’t mean to, “You can’t trust me because I’m willing to use and disregard you to get what I want.” This is certainly one of Satan’s deadliest strategies.

It’s important to point out, however, that when we resist sexual sin, God blesses a relationship with the exact opposite effect. Every time we say “no” to sexual sin and turn to prayer, telling one another we value them and their walk with the Lord too much to go one step further, he uses that faithfulness to strengthen trust.

4. Satan wants to deceive you with the forbidden fruit of lust.

There’s a world of difference between premarital sex and sex within marriage. One reason is that the forbidden fruit of lust portrays sex before marriage as something it isn’t always in marriage. Normally, premarital sexual activity is like gas on fire. Passion is high, feelings are intense, and the drive to go further is fueled by the knowledge you shouldn’t (Rom. 7:8).

Sex in marriage is different. There’s still passion, and there’s still intense feelings and emotions—but sex in marriage is based primarily on the hot coals of trust, devotion, and sacrifice (1 Cor. 7:1-5). Couples who built their sexual expectations on passion provided by the forbidden fruit are often disappointed and confused when sex is different in marriage.

My wife and I laughed at this idea when our premarital counselor shared it with us. We were sure we’d be exception to the rule. But almost nine years and three kids later, he was right. Couples like us can have a strong sex life, but it’s fueled by deeper characteristics than fleeting passion.

Satan wants couples to get used to running on the caffeine and sugar of lust rather than mature love of service and sacrifice.

Few Concluding Thoughts
1. Wait in faith. 

The Christian posture is always one of waiting. We wait for Christ’s return. We wait for an eternity with him. And unmarried believers wait for the blessings of marriage. Say “no” to sin’s promises by faith in God’s. Renew your mind with God’s Word and keep waiting in faith.

2. Guys, you gotta lead. 

While both persons in the relationship are responsible before God, the man must set the pace for purity. Too often ladies are forced to draw the lines and to say “no.” That’s cowardly and wrong. It’s the man’s responsibility to care for his future wife by leading her toward Jesus and away from sin, darkness, and the pain of evil. If he sets the wrong pattern here, he’ll be digging out for years afterward—and may never regain the ground he loses apart from God’s grace.

3. Involve others every step of the way.

Don’t let your relationship remain unexamined by other godly Christians. Both of you should have a godly couple or group of faithful friends who hold you accountable. Invite tough questions and give honest answers. God uses transparency to give strength.

4. If you sin, go to the gospel. 

The apostle John wrote, “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One” (1 John 2:1-2). If you sin, flee to the cross. Run to the empty tomb. Look to your Advocate, confess your sin deeply, and repent. God loves to bless this kind of posture (Prov. 28:13). Sexual sin doesn’t need to be dagger in the heart of your courting relationship, engagement, or marriage.

God is a merciful God who delights in restoring what sin seeks to destroy (Joel 2:25-27). He will not, however, bless ongoing disobedience and presumption on his grace. If you have fallen into sexual sin, today is the day to plead for mercy and turn to Christ in faith. May God give us mercy to pursue purity for his glory and our good.

3 Pivotal Moments In Junior High:

Between the ages of 11-14, are arguably some of the toughest years of any young person’s life. Students are faced with decisions and choices whose outcomes are far beyond their knowledge and capacity to comprehend. And they are beginning to make grown-up decisions with a brain that won’t be fully developed for another 11-14 years.

At this point, they are thinking about their future career, dating, the temptation of drugs and alcohol, deciding what is okay to view on their phones and computers, and the list goes on.

As adults, all of those decisions are still challenging for us! So, remember back to your junior high days, which thankfully, are just a blur in most of our minds. Reflect on the moments and people that played an important role in your life.

Leaders, you have the opportunity to help students understand that in every situation they face, and each decision they make, their best choice is always to follow God.

Although there are thousands to choose from, here are just 3 Pivotal Moments Junior High Students Need to Trust God:

1. When they love, or don’t like, who they see in the mirror.

Pride can come at you from both sides as a junior high student – either you are full of yourself or you struggle with low self-esteem. It’s rare to find a student who is balanced and doesn’t deal with some sort of issue with pride – in fact, most of us still struggle as adults.

Their bodies are growing and changing, almost daily. For some students, this gives them a boost in their ego, as that skinny boy that started in the 6th grade turns into an 8th grader growing a mustache and gaining muscle.

Students might begin to show interest in dating relationships as their hormones are going berserk. This is an opportunity for students to make a commitment to God to remain pure and holy in their relationships before they fully enter the teenage years.

Then, there are those who literally hate the stranger that has suddenly appeared in the mirror. Their previously perfect skin is suddenly acne-filled and no matter how many times they shower, they still look greasy.

Not to mention that their peers are happy to point out the changes in their appearance.

This is the time to remind students who they are as a person is much more than just skin deep. Focus on building good character. Help them find their identity in who God says they are and teach them how to deal with criticism from others, and from themselves.

2. When they feel accepted, rejected, or alone.

As adults, we know that popularity is overrated, but junior high students often find their self-worth in their circle of friends.

Research shows that teenagers who had one close friend, rather than a big group of friends, have higher levels of self-worth and lower levels of social anxiety and depression as adults compared to their peers who were more popular as teens. (Published in the journal, Child Development.)

Students look for acceptance and inclusion from their peers and it can be completely devastating when they don’t receive it.

The suicide rate among 10- to 14-year-olds doubled between 2007 and 2014, for the first time surpassing the death rate in that age group from car crashes. (https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/2017/07/14/america-sees-alarming-spike-middle-school-suicide-rate/418700001/)

As leaders, it is difficult to watch our students encounter rejection and loneliness. And while our affirmation is valuable, a personal understanding of God’s unending love can fill the void that their heart is searching for in relationships with others.

It’s not easy. As leaders, it can feel like a continuous investment of time and effort, reminding students that the feelings they are experiencing are temporary, but God’s love for them is eternal.

It’s worth the time and effort. God can use your words and voice to make a huge impact in a student’s life.

3. When they are making decisions about their future.

Careerplanner.com has a list of over 12,000 careers in their database. How does a junior high student choose a path in life? And what should they study in college? Or should they even go to college?

It can be overwhelming for students to think about, and for those of us still paying off student loans, it’s hard to even know what path to suggest for their lives.

The pressure is there and continues to pound our students at a younger and younger age to decide “what they want to be when they grow up.”

You have the opportunity to help students recognize their God-given strengths – they are there, but maybe they haven’t become obvious to them quite yet.

Help remove some of the pressure they start to feel at this age by reminding them to trust God to show them what decisions to make for their future.

On the outside, your junior high students might look like they have it all together or they are a complete mess.

They might seem hungry for the deep things of God, or can’t quote John 3:16 to save their life.

Despite what you see, realize God can speak to your students in a way they can understand, at their age. Bible scholars believe that Samuel was about 11 years old when he heard God’s voice and chose to follow God’s call for his life. (1 Samuel 3)

Your students need someone to believe in them and encourage them in their relationship with God. Whether you ever see it or not, you are making a difference.

Repeat after me – “I am making a difference.”

Look for those pivotal moments, partner with parents, and watch your students follow God’s voice in their lives.

Holy Boldness:

Today's Christians need Holy Boldness:

Holy boldness might look different today then it did even a decade ago. A decade ago a conversation about faith, with the everyday person in your neighborhood might end with a polite, “I’m glad that works for you.” Today you’re less likely to receive such a cordial, tip of the hat, pacifying response. You are more likely to encounter a hostile eye roll, or a brash “Come-on.” ” Seriously?” ” I’m as spiritual as the next person but you don’t believe in that old religious stuff, do you?” This response will definitely amp up if you venture to discuss Biblical faith’s conclusions on marriage, value of life, sexual identity, and political or nationalistic pride (plus a hand full of other hot topics).

What are Christians to do in hostile climates and with cultural topics where orthodox Bible believing values are seen as an invitation to a fight?

Holy Boldness is Spirit-Led

Acts 2 we are told of the greatest gift ever bestowed on the believer, the Holy Spirit. The third person of the Trinity. The Spirit of God is given yes, to strengthen, to come-alongside of, those who have placed faith in the work of God’s Son, Jesus. But the third person of the Holy Trinity is not simply an outsider to the life of the believer, but an insider. He comes to indwell and to fill and to refill the believer.

To be filled by the Holy Spirit biblically is not a simple or narrow aspect of the Christian experience. There can be made strong biblical arguments for what happens, or what results from a believer having been baptized and or filled with the Holy Spirit.

One thing is clear a holy boldness in speaking the truth of Christ’s saving is a result of the Holy Spirit’s filling a believer.

John 15:26–27 But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.

Acts 1:8 – But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

Acts 4:31 – After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

Acts 9:28 – So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.

Acts 13:46 – Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.”

Acts 14:3 – So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders.

Acts 19:8 – Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God.

Speaking in Holy boldness takes first of all a sensitivity to, and a reliance on God’s Spirit or being filled with, walking in the Spirit.

Holy Boldness is Gospel-Led

Speaking in Holy boldness understands that the conversation ultimately needs the Good news of Christ’s work. This good news brings to bear the power of God in the life of all those included in the conversation.

Mark 16:15– And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”

Romans 1:16- For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

1 Corinthians 1:17- For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

1 Corinthians 9:16- For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!

 Holy Boldness is more than just speaking your mind

Holy boldness leads in discussions that matter and not simply arguments. Too many Christians are either guilty of disengaging, shying away from or blasting dogmatic arguments when it comes to hostile conversations. These responses prove neither to be Spirit led or Gospel filled. To disengage proves that we are not being captured by the lostness and the need for saving in those we are called to love. To lead with the double-barrel shot gun of our theological arguments is to be insensitive to the Holy Spirit’s work already happening in these lives (John 16:8-11). Our friends and neighbors need Holy Spirit led, gospel concerned engagement in the most difficult of cultural conversations. This maybe more true now then in any other time of the last 20 years. The answers that our secular liberal culture offer are beginning to unravel, leaving people’s lives victimized. Many are finding themselves disenchanted, confused, even lost by what promised them life but cannot deliver.

This is the time for Christians to let the Gospel be known. To talk through, at every opportunity, the gaps or absences of soul satisfying love, hope, joy and peace. To do the kind work of wrestling with the world’s self-centred ideologies. To help our friends see the final conclusions as broken as they will be if they continue. These are not simply arguments to win or lose; These are Spirit-led opportunities to bring our community to the hope and power of the Gospel of Christ.

Holy Boldness done well

Holy Boldness done well is more than just speaking your mind. It should include:

Listening well – listening to issues of the heart and life and not simply to inform or argue head knowledge.

Looking for Gospel gaps– everyone, everywhere, for all of time lives out of a philosophy for life or what they believe works for them. This is most often a life based on a nugget of truth but built upon self-inflated lies. There are obvious gaps where Gospel truth is missing.

Storying wisely– Our Christian life is a constant work of Christ having saved, saving and will one day know the fullness of salvation. There is a gospel work that continues throughout the story God is writing in our lives. Our story can be a powerful witness. It is however not to be a witness to our own power but to the power of God’s super-abundant grace in our lives.

Serving in genuine love– Holy boldness without holy love in action is like a clanging symbol or an annoying alarm clock. It might have an awaking affect on others but it doesn’t give them the desire to get moving. Bold actions of love should accompany holy boldness in words.

Holy boldness is more than persuasion by words. It is contending for the faith by speaking truth into cultural lies. It is loving people where they are with a Spirit-led, Gospel-filled life that will move them towards Christ

The Nature of Election:

On Sunday, I touched on the Doctrines of Election and Predestination in Ephesians 1, due to the amount of time I was barely able to scratch the surface of such an important doctrine. I left a lot of notes on the floor in my office. If I had more time here is more of what I would say...

1) First, we must admit great mystery in the doctrine of election: This passage speaks about what God was doing "before the foundation of the world" It speaks of His eternal, secret purposes, and recognizes that He works all things according to "the decision of His will". We must admit mystery here. God is God and we are not. Deuteronomy reminds us, "the secret things belong to God". So we might disagree about the finer points of this mystery, but we can still fellowship and serve together. It is difficult for finite creatures with three-pound, fallen brains to comprehend how this doctrine relates to God's love for all people and and His impartiality, as well as how it relates to human choices. We should be OK with mystery. Encountering mystery should be a cue to start worshiping.

2) Second, while we want to affirm mystery, we should also affirm the other attributes clearly affirmed in the text. In this text we see that God is perfectly loving (verses 4-5), eternally sovereign (vs. 5), gloriously gracious (verses 6-8), and infinitely wise (vs. 8). God can do whatever He pleases (Ps. 115:3), and whatever He does is always consistent with who He is.

God is loving. Election is an expression of God's loves for His children. Paul says, "in love He predestined us.

God is sovereign. God's choosing is simply one expression of His eternal control over all things. Notice the language of God's sovereignty, as Paul mentions predestination, God's favor or good pleasure, God's will, God's administration and God's purpose.

God is gracious. God's choosing is an expression of His grace to sinners. God did not choose us because of anything good in us.

God is wise. God's choosing is an expression of His infinite wisdom.

3) Third, the passage itself shows the necessity of personal belief in the gospel. This is true even if all of our questions about human responsibility are not answered in this passage. Look at verse 13: one must believe. Remember, this is the same sentence! Election and faith belong in the same sentence, and it is a sentence only God could write. We may not understand this, but we should fully embrace it. We embrace other truths that are mysteriously woven together like the deity and humanity of Christ and the divine-human authorship of Scripture. Our invitation should be, "Come to Jesus! When you come, thank Him for drawing you!"

4) Election gives hope to evangelism: When Paul was discouraged in Corinth, Jesus said, "Don't be afraid, but keep on speaking and don't be silent... because I have many people in this city. Some people will believe when you speak the gospel! The hardest of hearts can be converted because evangelism is not about the quality of our presentation but the power of God. We should fear no one because of this truth, and because God is sovereign, we should assume that God has placed us where we are for the purpose of seeing others come to Christ through our faithful evangelism.

5) Our election is in Christ: We are chosen in the "Chosen One". F.F. Bruce says, "He is the foundation, origin, and executor: all that is involved in election and its fruits depends on him" O'Brien summarizes, "Election is always and only in Christ. We were not chosen for anything good in us. God accepts us because He chose to put us in union with Christ.

6) Finally, in light of these things, election should humble us: The proper response to God's having chosen us for salvation is awe, worship, and obedience to God. Election should not anger anyone or inflate anyone's pride. It should humble everyone. No one should be arrogant when talking about the doctrine of election. For those who want to argue against this truth, Paul says, "But who are you, a mere man, to talk back to God?" We should not be arrogant; we pots do not talk back to the Potter. Those who embrace this doctrine but walk in pride have not applied it properly.

This doctrine should put us on our faces in worship to the sovereign, wise, loving, gracious, and mysterious God, who has chosen us in Christ.