It is very disappointing to see the North American Mission Board and State Board of Missions personnel adopt the slogan “Elect Jesus” as an evangelistic tool. (The story on this program ran in the Oct. 28 issue.)
The Bible is very clear that it is Jesus who elects us and not the other way around. Scripture declares that God chooses us and no one comes to the Father unless God clearly calls him. “Elect Jesus” sounds like the old evangelistic adage that “God voted for you, the devil voted against you, and now you cast the deciding vote.”
The horror of that statement is the underlying message that God and the devil have an equal vote. Nothing could be more blasphemous. “Elect Jesus” fails to grasp the reality of the depravity of man, our deadness in our sins and trespasses, the sovereignty of God in salvation, and the doctrine of election.
“Elect Jesus is a pragmatic man-centered approach to the gospel that caters to the self-centeredness of man instead of the biblical approach to evangelism that declares we have committed an infinite insult to God by our sin and committed treason against our Creator and our only hope for survival is His grace.
It isn’t my election of Jesus that saves me, but my declaration “God have mercy on me, a sinner.” My prayer is that Southern Baptists recognize the sovereignty of God in salvation and embrace the truth of God’s election of His people.
Randy Pemberton
Ozark, Ala.
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