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Election

William Smoot 2 min read
#Election #Predestination #Soteriology
2 Articles
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WS
William Smoot 2 min read
2 articles
What does the Bible say about election?

The Bible teaches that election is an actual choice made by God of a people united in Christ before the foundation of the world.

Election, as taught in Scripture, represents God's sovereign choice of a people unto salvation before the foundation of the world. This choice is not a mere intention or purpose but a definitive act of God whereby those chosen are seen as existing in Christ, the elect of God. Passages like Ephesians 1:4-5 illustrate that God chose us in Christ before the world's creation to be holy and blameless. This highlights that our identity as God's people has profound roots in Christ's eternal existence.

Ephesians 1:4-5

How do we know the doctrine of election is true?

The doctrine of election is affirmed through biblical texts that describe God's sovereign choice of His people before creation.

The truth of the doctrine of election is supported by various scriptures that emphasize God’s sovereign will in choosing individuals for salvation. Romans 8:28-30 speaks to this, outlining that those whom He foreknew, He predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son. This clearly indicates a preordained plan where God's choosing is not arbitrary but purposefully linked to His eternal covenant with His people. Additionally, historic Reformed theologians affirm this understanding, grounding it in the unchanging character of God, who acts in love and grace toward His elect.

Romans 8:28-30

Why is election important for Christians?

Election is vital as it assures believers of their identity and security in God's sovereign plan of salvation.

Election holds significant importance for Christians as it assures them of their identity as chosen people and secures their eternal standing before God. Understanding election deepens the appreciation of grace since it underscores that salvation is entirely a work of God rather than human effort. As indicated in Romans 9:23, God prepares vessels of mercy for His glory, reflecting a divine intention behind each person's faith. This assurance not only fosters gratitude and reverence but also inspires believers to live in accordance with their calling as the elect, demonstrating their faith through obedience and good works.

Romans 9:23

    Election is something deeper than a mere purpose; it is an actual choice, before all worlds were made, of a people existing then and there in our Lord Jesus Christ; Existing in the sense in which Christ was and is, from everlasting the life of his people. Their eternal life was there. I have no reference in this remark to their life in the earthly Adam, but to their life in the heavenly Adam. Thus Christ is called the "elect of God" and the whole elect family is elected in that election. It can be readily seen that the whole human family existed in Adam as he stood in Eden, before a single one of them was born; Not in their individual development, but their natural life was there. So too, the whole elect family of our God existed undeveloped in the Lord of life and glory when he was set up from of old, "from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was." Their spiritual life was there! There is the manifestation of this in time, as the lines of election are drawn in separating from the sons and daughters of the earthly Adam "the vessels of mercy which he had afor prepared unto glory."

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