The doctrine of election (the sovereignty of God in choosing whom He desires to save) is often accused of making evangelism unnecessary, unfruitful, or even pointless. It is reasoned that if God has already chosen who to save then why should we preach the gospel and try to persuade all men to repent and believe in Jesus? While the Bible affirms election (Ephesians 1:3-14; Romans 9:8-24), it also affirms the personal responsibility of mankind to believe the gospel (2 Thessalonians 1:8) and the fact that God declares that all men, everywhere should repent (Acts 17:30). The two truths of God’s election and God’s call to salvation stand side by side in a glorious harmony that is beyond the comprehension of humans. This song moves from thanking God for causing us to be saved (affirming His sovereignty in our salvation) to how that truth should motivate us to missions. Election is actually the strongest motivation FOR missions since we have been told that God has chosen some to be saved from every nation (Revelation 5:9). If it were not for God stepping in to open blind eyes and allowing men to repent of their sin, no one would be saved. Praise God that because of His sovereignty in salvation preaching the gospel WILL bring men to salvation! Let this truth move us, individually, and corporately, to share our faith wherever God has called us.
Lyrics
Though I was a child of darkness,
Slave to sin, wholly depraved,
By His grace and for His glory
God has called me to be saved.
He in mercy, through His Spirit,
Caused me to be born again,
Born to turn from sin to Jesus
And to find my rest in Him.
Verse 2:
Is there any greater comfort
Than to know this sov’reign Friend?
He ordained my true repentance,
And shall keep me to the end.
Should this sinful world or Satan
With their lies and pow’r besiege,
I will stand upon His promise,
Knowing He has chosen me.
Verse 3:
This should cause us to be humble,
When we see our helpless state;
For without His sov’reign kindness
We would meet a dreadful fate.
O, to know such lovingkindness:
Freely given, undeserved,
Moves us now to preach the Gospel
Until ev’ry land has heard.
Verse 4:
To fulfill His great commission
This assurance must be known:
The elect from ev’ry nation
Will surround the Savior’s throne.
We find strength to preach the Gospel
In this truth our Savior told,
That although His sheep are scattered,
He will bring them to His fold.
Verse 5:
Let us lift our songs to praise Him!
Give Him glory, for He reigns!
No! This world and all its kingdoms
Cannot thwart what He ordains.
O! What peace to know our Maker,
He who set the heavens' span.
He who granted us salvation
Shall uphold us in His hand.
© 2007 Hymnicity