I had a little sign on my desk that said you are required to believe in the

teach what the Bible says, not what you would like for it to say.

The normal human reaction to any teaching of sovereign election or divine

predestination is a reaction that is negative to say the least.

Even those who embrace this doctrine usually don't embrace it the first time they

encounter it.

Minimizing the effects of the fall upon the human race is so deeply rooted in our

nature that even after we're regenerated we still have to struggle with any

concept that would magnify God and minimize our contribution to salvation.

And not only do we struggle with teachings about election and sovereign

calling but even the disciples in the New Testament had the same kind of a

problem.

Remember the time when Jesus was talking about these things and after he gave the

so-called hard sayings that were really concerned with predestination that many

of his disciples left him and walked with him no more.

And Jesus then turned to Peter and said, will you also go away?

And Peter replied, Lord, to whom shall we go?

Thou alone has the words of eternal life.

Well, I like the second part of this response of Peter, Thou alone has the words of

eternal life.

And it's going anywhere else.

You have it.

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