(1) В¶ Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; (2) In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; (3) But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;
I detain the Reader at the very entrance on this Epistle to observe to him, the striking expression of the Apostle on the subject of faith. He calls it the faith of God's elect. I would not speak decidedly on the occasion, because I would rather that the godly Reader should, under grace, decide for himself. But I would humbly ask, doth not the Apostle, by the very phrase, evidently imply, that amidst all the professions of faith, to be met with in the world, there is but one, which is true and genuine, namely, the faith of God's elect? And what that is, the scriptures, in every part show. The faith of God's elect, looks at the special act of Jehovah, the purposes, will, decrees, and pleasure, of his infinite and eternal mind, as manifested in his threefold Personality of character, toward the Church of God, in Christ Jesus. And this faith of God's elect, is the special gift of God to the elect; distinguished from all other, and is the fruit and effect, of the first, original, and eternal cause, in God's election; whereby, without any regard to any one motive whatever, but God's own free will and pleasure, he hath chosen the Church in Christ, to be holy and without blame before him in love. Ephesians 1:4. And hence, in the riches of his grace, hath made all suitable provision, for the accomplishment of all the purposes, connected with this act of sovereign love, during the whole time-state of the Church, until the Lord hath brought her home to eternal glory. The faith of God's elect, includes, therefore, in its view, all the blessed acts, and works of grace to render the whole effectual, for the accomplishment of that hope of eternal life, which God that cannot lie, promised before the world began. This is the faith of God's elect.
And what tends to make it special, and endear it yet more, is, that it is only in the privilege of the elect themselves to exercise; and they only by God's gift. For so the charter of grace runs. Unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, to believe on him. Philippians 1:29. Sweetly therefore the same Apostle, when writing to the Thessalonians, dwells upon the subject, when he saith; But we are bound to give thanks alway to God, for you brethren, beloved of the Lord, because God hath, from the beginning, chosen you to salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth. 2 Thessalonians 2:13. Reader! do not hastily turn away from the view of this most precious scripture, of the faith of God's elect. Look at the distinguishing properties of it, again and again, with thanksgiving and praise. Observe, it is not the common faith of men, or devils. It is not historical faith, hearsay faith, head knowledge faith. But it is the special, personal faith, of God's elect. It is a given faith, the fruit and effect of the same source and cause; from whence all the blessings connected with it spring; namely, the electing love of God. It cannot be possessed by any, but the elect. And by them only, as the gift of God. Oh! the preciousness of the faith of God's elect! Lord give it me to possess, in all its blessed, distinguishing properties! May my spirit live, in the daily, hourly enjoyment of it; having it kept always alive in my soul, in living upon Christ, and Christ in God; as manifested in the electing, predestinating love of God my Father; the blessed betrothing, redeeming, justifying, sanctifying love of God my Savior; and the regenerating soul-quickening, spiritual-life-preserving grace of God the Holy Ghost. Oh! the unspeakable mercies, which give birth to the faith of God's elect!
But it would be wrong to pass over unnoticed what the Apostle saith in connection with the faith of God's elect, namely, and the acknowledging of the truth, which is after godliness. This was blessedly added by the Apostle, as if to put a stop to the charge against the faith of God's elect, as though it were a doctrine contrary to godliness. Whereas the fact is, there can be no real godliness without it. All the labored attempts of carnal men, to make a show of outside godliness, having no spring within, can be but a show; for it hath no resource, to give life to it at first, or keep it alive after. But the faith of God's elect being founded in the love of God, hath, for its spring, the grace of God, which bringeth salvation and this both teacheth and enableth to the denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to the living soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ. Titus 2:11-13. The faith of God's elect, can never fail of producing those effects, in every instance. And no faith, but the faith of God's elect can produce them. The faith of devils, the faith of mere Professors, and Pharisees, the lip confession, learnt from the creeds of men, and all the other trumpery of human invention, have no belief, but that which produceth fear and trembling. James 2:19. It is only the faith of God's elect, which connects with it the acknowledging of the truth, and the practical effects of truth, which is after godliness.
One word more on this paragraph. What is this faith of God's elect exercised upon? Paul saith; in hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began. Reader! I beseech you look at the bottom, and foundation of this hope. Paul calls it a blessed hope. Titus 2:13. And a blessed hope indeed it is, in all the properties of it. For first. It originated in God's own purpose, and that from all eternity. Nothing moving the Lord to it, but his own infinite mind; and his holy will and pleasure. Not our misery or need; for it was before the world began; and, consequently, neither our misery, nor his mercy to that misery, gave rise to it, for it was before both. The Apostle saith, that it was according to the eternal purpose, which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ephesians 3:9-11. What a bottom is here to found the sure mercies of David upon; when beheld as in God, and from God, and by God; and that from all eternity?
Secondly. Consider the sweet properties of it, and it will appear indeed a blessed hope. All are founded in Covenant securities, in which everything is provided for, to make it permanent, sure, and everlasting. The ancient settlements of eternity, in the council of peace, between the Persons of the Godhead, all are so formed, as to guard against the possibility of failure. God the Father, who cannot lie, hath sworn to it. Christ, who is our Righteousness, hath fulfilled all the purposes concerning it. God the Spirit, who is all holy; confirms it in the hearts of the people. And, as all the individual members, for whom this eternal life is designed, and to whom it is given, are all chosen and numbered, in the decrees of God; nothing can arise, to prevent the accomplishment of it, from any causes whatever, during the time-state of the Church, but what hath been foreseen and provided for from all eternity.
And, lastly, to mention no more. What endears it, and recommends it to every heart, of the highly favored objects of this divine promise is, that it is altogether free, unsought for, yea, unthought of and neither bestowed for deservings, or restrained by undeservings; but freely given without regard to either, as if to magnify the riches of divine grace, and to display divine sovereignty according to that unalterable scripture: I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy; and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. Exodus 33:19 with Romans 9:15. Oh! the riches of God's eternal purposes in Christ! Oh! the sweet, and precious faith of God's elect!