How to become elect.

 

Ruth is blessed by the careful attention and the words spoken to her by Boaz. 

“The Lord recompense your work

            And a full reward be given you

Of the Lord God of Israel,

            Under whose wings you are come for refuge.”

                                                            Ruth 2:12

Ruth exemplifies the heart of the Living God who is alien to her.  She devotes herself to the mother-in-law she loves and transfers her trust to that woman’s family, land and Lord (1:16-17).  In order to bring an income to their meager household, Ruth works in the fields to harvest barley.  As she serves her mother-in-law, the people of that area observe the beauty of her devotion.  Her servant’s heart helps her gain favor with Boaz and, ultimately, wins her a place in the lineage of the Son of God, Jesus Christ.

There is a fundamental condition of servanthood that stands against the Calvinist world view.  Calvinism establishes a special class of humans that are considered to be elect or chosen.  Biblical theology establishes that this notion is incorrect and reminds the Calvinist that elect and servant are the same thing (Isaiah 42, 43, 44, 45…).  Calvinists need to be made aware that God (Jesus is God) established servanthood as the qualifying manifestation of the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers (Luke 22:26-27).

Why servanthood?

Is there anyone that can be disqualified from serving?

           

Whosoever will – may serve.

            No special qualifications!

Lame, old, sick, wounded, privileged, abused, weak, strong, rich, poor, young, male, female… Anyone can pray.  Everyone can surrender.  No one is blotted out before the foundation of the world.  Whosoever will cannot be qualified by the ignorance of Calvin whose system of reprobation served his own psychology and undermined the cause of Christ.

Ruth – not born to the “elect” realm of Israel, teaches Israel about God’s heart and passes that legacy to her great-grandson: David = God-hearted King. (Acts 13:22) Servant.

Jesus Served mankind by coming to seek and save the lost.  He served mankind a blood-bought redemption.  He served out the penalty on a cross meant for me – meant for you.

Take up your cross and learn election.  You won’t find it by searching for what happened before the foundation of the world – that way is blocked.  There is only one way.

Come to the cross.