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I. True Christians are OBJECTS OF A SPECIAL CHOICE.

1. The Author: God. The Scriptures unanimously declare that true Christians are chosen of God. Who dare question the right of the Most High to choose them. While He injures none, for this is impossible, surely He may, if He please, confer special benefits on some (Romans 9:20, 21).

2. The date — "from the beginning" (1 Peter 2:9; 1 Peter 1:2; Romans 8:29; Ephesians 1:4).

3. The end — "to salvation." This determines its true nature and supreme excellency. The Israelites were chosen, but many fell, and we are admonished to take heed lest we "fall after the same example of unbelief." The twelve were chosen to apostleship, but Judas apostatised. This salvation is not only deliverance from sin in this life, but eternal glory in the world to come.

II. True Christians are PERSONS OF A PECULIAR CHARACTER. God's chosen people are —

1. Believers of the truth.

(1) God's Word is emphatically "the truth."(2) Believing is giving hearty credit to the Bible as the record of God in such a way as to feel affected and influenced by it according to the nature of the things which it regards. Without this belief of the truth we have no evidence of our election, and only "deceive our own selves."

2. Partakers of the Spirit. "If any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of His." The Spirit in the heart is essential to the being of a Christian, for without Him there is no regeneration. Then His influence is necessary for every Christian enterprise. What reason there is for the admonitions "Quench not the Spirit," "Grieve not the Spirit." We must judge whether we are partakers of the Spirit by His fruit (Galatians 5:22-24).

3. The subjects of sanctification. The Spirit given to God's people produces and gradually promotes it. There is no way of attaining holiness but by the Spirit of Holiness. Faith bears a close connection with this state. Faith guards the Christian from sin and preserves him in the path of duty. Sanctification, therefore, is the best evidence of faith, and the best mark of election. We have proof that we are "of God" only as we are like God.

III. True Christians FURNISH CAUSE OF LIVELY THANKSGIVING. Why? True Christians are —

1. A proof of the power of the gospel.

2. A credit to Christianity (Philippians 1:27).

3. Useful to others.

(T. Kidd.)

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KJV: 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:

WEB: But we are bound to always give thanks to God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth;