Election and Encouragement

I wrote the following in 1986 while attending Talbot Seminary.

The doctrine of election is grounds for encouragement.  There is great encouragement in knowing that the work of God is initiated and sustained by God himself.  There is also excitement in knowing that as His instruments God chooses and uses people He has brought into a saving relationship with Himself through Jesus Christ.  For the outworking of His purposes, God couples His omniscience and omnipotence with the efforts of His people energized with power by the Holy Spirit.  Here is an interesting point:  God uses the elect to reach the elect.  Those who know Jesus personally are sent out to reach those who are not yet aware of their future standing with God.  And God leaves this a mystery to those He sends.  He knows.  He shows.  We offer the gospel to any who will receive it.  Some accept what God has done, others reject it.  'The Lord knows those who are His...' 2 Timothy 2:19.  The doctrine of election goes together with the universal offer of salvation.  In fact, 'the doctrine of election is never taught apart from the universal offer of salvation'".