92SermonsofJonathanEdwards (continued)
Jesus Christ. So the Jews, who had seen and heard Christ, and saw His miracles, and with whom the apostles labored so much, were not saved. But the Gentiles, many of them, who, as it were, only briefly heard the good news of salvation, embraced those truths, and were converted.
5. God exercises His sovereignty in calling some to salvation, who have been dreadfully wicked, and leaving others, who have been moral and religious persons.
The Pharisees were a very strict sect among the Jews. Their religion was extraordinary. (Luke 18:11). They were not like other men, extortioners, unjust, or adulterers-that was their morality. They fasted twice a week, and gave tithes of all that they possessed-that was their religion. But yet, for the most part, they were rejected, and the tax collectors, and prostitutes, and openly vicious sorts of people, entered into the kingdom of God before them. (Matthew 21:31). The Apostle Paul describes his righteousness while he was a Pharisee, saying, "as for legalistic righteousness, I was faultless" (Philippians 3:6). The rich young man, who fell on his knees before Christ, saying, 'Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?'"-this man was a moral person. When Christ told him keep the commandments, he said, with all sincerity, "all these I have kept since I was a boy." He had obviously been brought up in a good family, and was a youth of such agreeable manners and correct behavior, that it is said, "Jesus looked at him and loved him." Still he was not chosen; while the thief on the cross, that was crucified with Christ, was chosen and called. God sometimes shows His sovereignty by showing mercy to the worst of sinners, on those who have been murderers, and blasphemers. And even when they are old, some are called at the eleventh hour. God sometimes shows the sovereignty of His grace by showing mercy to some, who have spent most of their lives in the service of Satan, and have little left to spend in the service of God.
6. God exercises His sovereignty, in saving some of those who seek salvation, and not others.