The Election

. ... Let’s begin this posting with some basic terminology. In the Scriptures, Christians are often referred to as ‘the elect’ (or, based on the same underlying Greek word, as ‘the chosen’). But what does this phrase mean, and how should we understand it?

.... The ‘Election’ of God was a decision that He made from before the foundation of the world, by His own foreknowledge, that would eventually open the door for our salvation. But this decision has been very widely misunderstood and has lead to confusion.

.... The most commonly held view is that God, by His foresight, chose certain persons to be saved. This was done in an arbitrary manner, without regard to who they were or what they would ever do, whether good or bad. It was simply God's own, personal decision to save them, without further reason or criteria. For some people, this would work out great! But of course, if you happened to be on the other side of that choice, it meant you were destined for hell by default!

.... Over the centuries, this doctrine has been received in an odious way. Even non-Christians seem to know that it cannot possibly be right (see John 1:9). And indeed, it isn’t right! While it’s true that God knew each one of us by His foresight, He kept a distinct criteria in mind the whole time in deciding whom He would call. His benchmark was higher than the heavens themselves, and absolutely staggering in its scope. So high was His requirement that winning His favor in the election required absolute merit, and as such it resulted in the choosing of only one person: Jesus Christ, the righteous:

.... "Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles."

(Isaiah 42:1, Matthew 12:18)

.... Please note that in this passage, Jesus is referred to as the ‘Elect One’ of God. For Jesus Christ is the one and only, and not simply one of many (See Galatians 3:16).

.... The event described in this passage may perhaps be referred to as ‘the election proper’. Before mankind was even created, as the veil of the ages was drawn aside, the majesty of Christ in God’s election was revealed, for He had this testimony from of old: that God delighted in Him. (For further details, click here).

.... God chose Jesus before the world began; and in later years, when we would come to believe in Him, we would be joined together to become one spirit with Him, just as a bride becomes one flesh with her husband (1 Corinthians 6:17). Thus, Jesus becomes the champion of all who love Him and cling to Him (John 14:6). And it is through our abiding in Jesus, the Chosen One of God, that we, too, become chosen in Him:

.... "just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love"

(Ephesians 1:4)

.... So our own election does not pertain to our works, whether good or bad – that part was true. But rather, it depends on Christ alone, and the standing we obtain through being united with Him in our lives. In other words the traditional understanding of the election must be turned on its head: rather than being saved because we are chosen, we are chosen in Him because we are saved (Colossians 3:11-12).

.... So in your evangelism, please keep this in mind and never pre-judge someone because you think they may or may not be the sort of person "that God would have chosen". Believing in Jesus changes everything; and God, through the wonderous merit of Jesus Christ, can save anyone who will respond to Him by faith: "For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Joel 2:32; Romans 10:13).

.... We will discuss this further in the following postings.

To proceed to the next lesson, click here

Daily Bible Reading: Mark 1