Falling Higher

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My brethren, God doth not save us merely by predestination, he doth not glorify us merely by predestination.

~ Thomas Goodwin, The Works of Thomas Goodwin, Volume 2

Likewise, some are much troubled, because they proceed by a false method and order in judging of their estates. They will begin with election, which is the highest step of the ladder; whereas they should begin from a work of grace wrought within their hearts, from God’s calling them by his Spirit, and their answer to his call, and so raise themselves upwards to know their election by their answer to God’s calling. ‘Give all diligence,’ saith Peter, ‘to make your calling and election sure,’ 2 Pet. i. 10, your election by your calling. God descends down unto us from election to calling, and so to sanctification; we must ascend to him, beginning where he ends. Otherwise it is as great folly as in removing of a pile of wood, to begin at the lowest first, and so, besides the needless trouble, to be in danger to have the rest to fall upon our heads. Which, besides ignorance, argues pride, appearing in this, that they would bring God to their conceits, and be at an end of their work before they begin.

This great secret of God’s eternal love to us in Christ is hidden in his breast, and doth not appear to us, until in the use of means God by his Spirit discovereth the same unto us; the Spirit letteth into the soul so much life and sense of God’s love in particular to us, as draweth the soul to Christ, from whom it draweth so much virtue as changeth the frame of it, and quickeneth it to duty, which duties are not grounds of our state in grace, but issues, springing from a good state before; and thus far they help us in judging of our condition, that though they be not to be rested in, yet as streams they lead us to the spring-head of grace from whence they arise.

~ Richard Sibbes, The Complete Works of Richard Sibbes, Volume 1.

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Here is a very specific problem encountered only, as far as I can tell, by a very few. In our day, most Christians pass by the matter of predestination – and not altogether out of dislike for the doctrine, but rather for the way it has been presented and misconstrued. My aim here is not to argue this. My desire is to address those struggling with this particular problem: That some Christians ground their hope almost entirely in the certainty that they are Christ’s from eternity past, and look for sanctification in their lives in order to gain more assurance of this fact.

This may seem a strange thing to criticize. Surely, it is good to glory in the free Gospel grace of election? Too rejoice that “those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified” (Romans 8:30). Let me assure you, I would not have you do otherwise. I fear, rather, that some feel joy to be something so fleeting, and assurance so fading, and for a simple, almost slight reason. That their joy and certainty is not Christ in the first order, but as second place. That they look to the height of election to give them joys and standing overwhelming in their beauty, yet I fear that they leave Christ to the wayside. What I want to convince you of is this: It is better to rejoice in the smallest drop of sweet sanctification brought about by Christ in you, than seek assurance of God’s grace from election. For one will tell you that you are in Christ, which provides comfort of the first order and gives simple sweetness to the soul; while the other must always follow after, and ought to lift us up to see the glory of Christ in whom we rest.

The believer ought to seek Christ, and in Him find the rest of righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. For He Himself has been made wisdom from God (1 Corinthians 1:30). Notice, Paul does not say “Know that you are His, and then know that you are in Christ.” No, but “Because of Him you are in Christ Jesus.” Jesus did not stop being the believer’s righteousness, sanctification, and redemption after the moment of his conversion. What silliness! Was Christ the Savior yesterday only? No, but yesterday, today, and forever. Find your footing firmly in the truth that you are in Christ Jesus, and that in Him and because of Him, He is all to you and for you. Then look high as election, and look as low as a drop of sanctification, and see Him there also, waiting for your eye to find Him, and boast only in Him who chose you and who transforms you. Wherever you find Christ, rejoice that you are in Him.

Have Christ as He is freely offered in the Gospel, and be sure of your election as you heed His call “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Is your study of election commensurate with your satisfaction of resting in Christ? Are you taking another yoke on yourself than the yoke of rest which Christ gives freely to us by His grace? Why would we trouble our souls again after Christ has given us rest by worrying about the evidences of our predestination? God does not save us by predestination only. We are saved by Christ into Christ, in whom are all the glories of election, calling, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption – in short, wisdom from God.

You cannot climb your way up to the height of the glory of Christ in predestination. Paradoxically, it is by falling on Christ for rest that we ascend higher than we would have ever imagined beforehand. Christ did not descend to us only for us to strive to ascend back to Him. And He did not ascend back to where He was before without us, but took us with Him as His own body and Bride and as our representative in our nature, having done all for us, that we might be with Him where He is. And now He would have us seek those things that are there with Him where He has gone for us. For He is our life (Colossians 3:1-4). Therefore, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:29-30).