JD Abshire Supporter

The Bible is totally consistent from cover to cover concerning God's election. 

I believe the Bible teaches that God, in and of himself chose, elected, called and ordained without any outside influence.
The great patriarchs, prophets and apostles were not chosen because of the potential God saw in them but because of His ability to fulfill His divine plan through them in spite of their weaknesses.

1 Corinthians 1:18 "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God."

1 Corinthians 1:19 "For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent."

1 Corinthians 1:24 "But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God."

1 Corinthians 1:25 "Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

1 Corinthians 1:26 "For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:"

1 Corinthians 1:27 "But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;"

1 Corinthians 1:28 "And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:"

1 Corinthians 1:29 "That no flesh should glory in his presence."

January 04 2014 • 10 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Galen Smith Supporter Retired from Multnomah Bible College and Biblical Seminary

2 Peter 1:10 says, "Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure" (NIV). This is a command, so I think we can be confident that God wants us to concerned about our election. At least he tells us we should be eager to confirm our election.

How can we confirm whether we are elect or not? Well, if we are sure we are saved, we can be sure that God chose or elected us in Christ before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). If we are unsure about our salvation, we will be unsure about our election. So, the question becomes "how can we be sure we are saved?" There are two approaches that can help us answer this question.

First, we can know we are saved by examining to see whether we have met the biblical requirements for salvation. I believe a thorough study of the New Testament reveals that there is only one condition that we must meet to be saved: we must trust in the saving work of Christ on our behalf. Do I believe that Jesus died for my sin on the cross? Do I have faith that his death accomplished all that was necessary to save me? Am I trusting in him and his death/resurrection alone for salvation? If the answers to these questions is "yes," then I can be certain I am saved and elected.

A second way to confirm my salvation is by looking at the various evidences of salvation given in Scripture. Do I exhibit the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)? Do I walk in the light (1 John 1:7)? Do I obey his commands (1 John 2:3)? Do I love my fellow believers (1 John 2:9-10)? Do I acknowledge the Son (1 John 2:23)? Do I do what is right (1 John 2:29)? Do I continue to live in habitual sin (1 John 3:6, 9)? Is God's Spirit within me (1 John 3:24; 4:13)? These and other similar evidences of the Lord's work in our lives can give confirmation that we are both elected by God and saved. Their absence may give us reason to question our election and salvation.

If we are not sure, the best thing to do is to believe that Jesus Christ died to pay the penalty for our sin, and rose again. We abandon any hope of doing anything to save ourselves, and trust alone in what Christ already did for us. If we do that, we can know that we are saved, based on the promises of the Word of God, who cannot lie.

December 24 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jennifer Rothnie Supporter Housewife, Artist, Perpetually Curious

We make our calling/election sure not by fretting over it, but by abiding with Christ and walking in faith (II Pet 1:3-11). We should examine our spiritual growth over time to see if we are growing in relationship with Christ. 

We are heirs of the promise! No man or principality of the heir can take our hope away. If we are subject to Christ, then we are part of the people of God. God is purifying for himself a people all His own (Titus 2:11-14). This refinement process is hard, with many trials - but so long as we keep faith God's power will guard us, and we will overcome. (1 Pet 1:3-9, 1 John 5:1-5) 

Our hope is not in being "the elect" of God, rather our Hope is in Christ alone as Savior and Lord! (1 Tim 1:1, 1 Tim 4:10, Eph 1:12, Titus 2:11-14). The jews placed their hope in being the chosen people of God while simultaneously ignoring the commands of God. Conversely, Jesus states ""If you love me, keep my commands", (John 14:15) and " Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.” (John 8:47), and "...the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” (John 3:14-17).

That said, there are no believers who are not elect, and we become part of God's elect people through faith. The elect are the people of God joined together under the headship of Christ (1 Peter 2:4-9). We as individual believers do not actually know who all the elect are until Christ returns and we inherit what has been promised us; a glorified body, that we might have eternal life with Christ. (Rom 8:19-30, Matt 13:24-29, Heb 6:1-12, 1 Pet 1:3-9). 

Throughout the Bible, election has always been a testimony of God's sovereignty and eternal perspective. It is meant to be a comfort, to be a testimony of the fulfillment of prophecy, to show God's power and knowledge, and to show how none of God's good purpose is frustrated by the actions of man. For example, when God called ('elected') Israel from among all the nations (1 Chron 17:21), it was so that Israel might be blessed among nations and all nations be blessed through Israel. It also was the nation God chose to work His eternal plan through. It's true and final purpose was for the physical nation of Israel to stand as a type for the eventual 'spiritual' people of God, and for God's redemption of Israel to stand in as a type for the redemption of Christ for all men.

However, the jews became arrogant in their position as 'the chosen people of God'. They expected a messiah who would set up the jews as the actual rulers of all nations, and were infuriated by the early church gospel expansion to the gentiles. They could not understand how the gentiles could be "elect". And yet, God had chosen the gentiles to be brought into the fold of God long before Christ came to man. (1 Pet 2:10, Rom 9:6-26) Rom 9:26 hearkens back to a very important time in Israel's history (Hosea 1:9, Hosea 11:1-4), where God's wrath against Israel's unfaithfulness caused him to declare "You are not my people". God's choice of Israel did not guarantee their obedience. 

In the same way we always have a choice between endurance in faith, or faithless abandonment (II Tim 2:8-13, Col 1:21-23, Rev 3:1-6, Heb 3:6). Hosea 11:2 is especially convicting: "But the more they were called, the more they went away from me". Many are called, but few are chosen. (Matt 22:1-14).

Read more under related topics: 

https://ebible.com/questions/3317-how-does-god-s-sovereignty-work-together-with-free-will#answer-17091
https://ebible.com/questions/3273-how-are-predestination-and-election-connected-with-foreknowledge#answer-16960
https://ebible.com/questions/265-what-is-predestination-is-predestination-biblical#answer-15328
https://ebible.com/questions/7882-is-salvation-created-by-faith-or-is-faith-created-by-salvation#answer-14614
https://ebible.com/questions/2097-how-can-i-know-if-i-am-one-of-the-elect#answer-9176

January 06 2015 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Edwin Danny Reaid Supporter

If a person is concerned with being among the elect, then they are most likely in Scripture and that would be a good sign. Scripture clearly speaks of the called, chosen, elect and predestined so we should acknowledge - for it is part of the whole council of God. 

Charles Spurgen in one of his earliest sermons stated that if a yellow stripe was painted down the backs of the elect then that is to whom I would preach, but that's not the case. So, I preach to all being obedient and leave it to God. But the Doctrine of Election is truly in Scripture. I would rather believe a limited atonement that is efficacious for all men for whom it was intended, than a universal atonement that is not efficacious for anybody, except the will of men be added to it. (Charles Spurgeon, Sermons, Vol. 4, p. 70).

"But," say others, "God has elected them on the foresight of their faith." Now, God gives faith, therefore He could not have elected them on account of faith which He foresaw. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (Ephesians 2:8 KJV) 

“You believe that God is one; you do well. The demons also believe — and they shudder.” James 2:19 HCSB - But they are not saved.

If a person is concerned about being among the elect, then just believe and you are among the ELECT.

August 21 2015 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Dan Rivers Supporter Christian, Husband, Grandfather, Son, AT&T retiree

All you have to ask yourself is, "Do I believe in Jesus?" If you can believe that from your heart, then you are saved and one of the elect! Rom 10:9

If anyone had doubts about their belief in Jesus and or their Salvation, then they are not saved and are not of the elect.

A Christian should KNOW they are saved and one of the elect!
2 Cor 13:5 (NKJV) Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not KNOW yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.

We're supposed to KNOW we have eternal life.
1 John 5:13 (NLT) I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may KNOW you have eternal life.

Praise God!

October 15 2015 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Ben Zickefoose Supporter Retired, Kinesiology Dept. ACU, TX & traveling ministry.

"Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure" (2 Peter 1:10 NIV) Peter is writing this to those who are already Christians. It appears to me that in this verse he is informing these Christians that they have a personal responsibility to make their calling and election sure.

Peter continued in 2 Peter 1:10b-11 "fFor if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

What are “the things” to which Peter is referring when his says, "if you do these things you will never fall?" Just prior to this encouragement, he admonishes the readers to ”make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.” 2 Peter 2:5-7 NIV

A well-known African American preacher, Marshall Keeble (Google this name, if you please) said that this "election" requires a two-thirds majority vote. Satan has cast his vote for you and God has cast his vote for you. You cast the deciding vote by the life-style you choose. Will it be one that is spiritual or worldly; godly or ungodly; righteous or unrighteous; holy or unholy?

October 02 2015 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Rotimi EWEDEMI Supporter Very keen Bible Researcher

We need to understand the actual meaning of the word "elect" or who the word "election" applies to.
We need to also ask: "Election" for what purpose? 

From biblical viewpoint, "election" is for the purpose of selecting those who will become rulers with Jesus Christ in the government of God referred to in the Bible as the Kingdom of God. That government is to rule over the earth and turn it into a paradise. The government will have subjects on earth who will enjoy the benefits of the rulership of Jesus and the corulers.

Genesis 22:17-18 spoke of God's promise to bless all the earth by means of Abraham's Seed. How? God will use Abraham's seed to reverse the curse he placed on the earth in Genesis 3:17-19. Paul explained in Galatians 3:16 that Jesus was the Seed of Abraham. He went further in verses 26-29 to show that the Seed of Abraham is composite; that is, Jesus is the Principal or Primary part while " those who belong to Christ" or have put on Christ " constitute the Secondary part of the Seed of Abraham. These are referred to as "heirs according to the promise". 

Similarly, the Seed of the Woman in Genesis 3:15 is composite, comprising of Jesus as the Primary Seed and those who " keep the commandments of God, and hold the testimony of Jesus"(Revelation 12:17 ASV), constitute the Secondary part.

It is humans that constitute the Secondary part of the Seed of the woman and of the Seed of Abraham that are referred to as the "elect" or the " chosen". These are also referred to as "Annointed Christians".

As mentioned earlier, the elect are to rule with Jesus. God used Daniel to reveal to us facts about the kingdom of God:

1. It is set up by the God of heaven and it will take over rulership from human- made kingdoms, Daniel 2:44;
2. Jesus, the Son of man, will be inaugurated as the Head of the kingdom, Daniel 7:13-14;
3. The "saints of the Most High" will take the kingdom and rule along with Jesus for ever and ever, Daniel 7:18, 21-22.

Jesus also assured that:

1.The Father has approved of giving the kingdom to the "little flock", Luke 12:32. He said he was going to heaven to prepare a place for them, John 14:1-4

2. The Apostles, with whom he had made a covenant, will rule with him in the kingdom., Luke 22:28-30.

3. Those who conquer will be given authority to rule the nations with an iron rod, Revelation 2:26-27.

The bible teaches in John 3:16 that believe in Jesus Christ leads to salvation, meaning to live for ever. The bible does not teach that all who are saved will go to heaven; only the elect will! Going to heaven is for the elect who are going there to become kings and priests with Jesus., Revelation 1:5-6. 

The Bible states clearly that the righteous will inherit everlasting life here on earth, Psalms 37:9-11, 20, 22, 27, 34; Proverbs 2:21-22, Matthew 5:5; Revelation 21:3-4 amongst others.

In view of the above, it is not all approved followers of Jesus that need to be "elected". So, believers do not need to worry about election. What we need to do is to believe in Jesus, and live our lives according to bible principles, worshipping God with spirit and truth. From among such believers, God will choose those he wants and elect them to be among those whom he wants to come to heaven. 

The bible teaches that the number of the elect is 144,000., Revelation 7:4; 14:1-4; 14:5-6

Those not so chosen will still enjoy salvation; they will constitute the great crowd which no man can number. These will inherit everlasting life on a cleansed earth. 

Let us recall that God created the earth as gift, and an everlasting dwelling place for man, Psalms 115:15,16; Isaiah 45:18. 

It was Adam's disobedience that caused him to die. He had the prospect of living for ever. If he had not sinned, he wouldn't have died., Genesis 2:15-17; 3:17-19.

In conclusion, it is not all believers that need to be elected; only the few whom God will choose to become rulers with Jesus in the kingdom of God. 

So, there is no need to worry.

November 22 2015 • 7 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report