Why should believers study the doctrine of election?
Believers should study the doctrine of election because it is intended for believers, so they can know their exalted position did not come by accident: in eternity past God chose them. This truth is taken by faith, not argued, and helps prevent the confusion that surrounds God’s calling and election.
Les teaches that the succeeding verses touching election and the calling of believers since eternity past form a doctrine that really should be studied only by the believer. As a believer, God wants us to know that in our exalted position we did not come in by accident; we came into this position because in eternity past God chose us. That is something only the believer can take by faith—God said it, and we cannot argue with it. For the unbeliever, this cannot be comprehended, and it is not expected, because it is not for the unbeliever to try to swallow. The unbeliever must instead understand that whosoever will may come, that God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance, and that Christ died for every man. Les also warns that these truths are hard to swallow and teach, and people can confuse the issue by saying that if they are elected, they need not worry and can go their own way, expecting God to grab them by the nap of the neck. The Bible never teaches that, so the doctrine is clarified for believers rather than used as an excuse.