Introduction
Election and predestination are among the most profound and debated concepts in Christian theology. Rooted deeply in Scripture, these doctrines explore the mysteries of God’s sovereignty and the unfolding of His redemptive plan. Election refers to God’s choosing of certain individuals or groups for a specific purpose, often salvation, while predestination extends this idea to the belief that all events, especially the eternal destinies of humans, are predetermined by God’s will.
Throughout the Bible, from the Old Testament narratives to the epistles of the New Testament, these themes are revisited, revealing a complex interplay between divine sovereignty and human agency. This article seeks to delve into what the Bible teaches about election and predestination, examining key passages that shed light on these doctrines. We will explore how these concepts are not only central to understanding God’s interaction with humanity but also how they impact Christian life, faith, and practice. Through this exploration, we aim to gain a deeper appreciation of the depth and richness of God’s sovereign grace and the responsibility it entails for believers.
Biblical Basis of Election
Election in the Bible refers to God’s choosing of individuals or groups for a specific purpose or destiny.
• Chosen Before Creation: Ephesians 1:4-5 (ESV): “Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,”
Paul emphasizes that believers were chosen by God before the world was even created. This election is rooted in God’s love and serves the purpose of making believers holy and blameless, highlighting the grace and intentionality of God’s plan.
• God’s Sovereign Choice: Romans 8:33 (ESV): “Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.”
This verse underlines the concept of believers as God’s elect, chosen and justified by His sovereign decision. It assures believers of their secure status in God’s plan, free from condemnation.
• A Royal Priesthood and Holy Nation: 1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
Peter describes believers using language that echoes Old Testament descriptions of Israel. This collective election is for the purpose of proclaiming God’s greatness, indicating that election is not only about privilege but also responsibility.
• The Chosen People of Israel: Deuteronomy 7:6-8 (ESV): “For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.”
The concept of election is also seen in the Old Testament, as God chose Israel to be His special people. This choice was based on His love and faithfulness, not because of Israel’s merit, demonstrating the gracious nature of divine election.
Understanding Predestination
Predestination involves God’s foreordaining of all that will happen, especially with regard to the salvation of some and not others.
• Foreknown and Predestined: Romans 8:29-30 (ESV): “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.”
This passage outlines the sequence of salvation: foreknowledge, predestination, calling, justification, and glorification. Predestination here is linked with being conformed to Christ’s image, indicating a specific purpose in God’s plan.
• Predestined According to His Purpose: Ephesians 1:11-12 (ESV): “In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,”
Paul teaches that believers are predestined according to God’s purpose and will. This underscores the sovereignty of God in salvation, where human history and individual destinies align with His divine plan.
• Appointed to Eternal Life: Acts 13:48 (ESV): “And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.”
Luke records that the Gentiles who were appointed to eternal life believed in the Gospel. This suggests that belief and salvation align with divine appointment, revealing the interplay of predestination and faith.
• Sanctified by the Spirit: 2 Thessalonians 2:13 (ESV): “But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.”
In this letter, Paul identifies that the Thessalonians were chosen for salvation, which involves sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. It shows the holistic nature of predestination, encompassing both the work of the Spirit and the response of faith.
In the next part, we will address the relationship between divine election and human free will, and explore the purpose behind God’s election.
Election and Free Will
The relationship between divine election and human free will is a complex and often debated topic in Christian theology.
• God’s Mercy and Human Response: Romans 9:15-16 (ESV): “For he says to Moses, ‘I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.’ So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.”
Paul quotes God’s words to Moses to emphasize that God’s election is based on His mercy, not human effort or desire. This highlights God’s sovereign freedom in choosing, while also leaving room for the mystery of human response within God’s sovereign plan.
• God Desires All to Be Saved: 2 Peter 3:9 (ESV): “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”
This verse reveals God’s desire for all people to be saved and to come to repentance. It suggests a universal call to salvation, highlighting the tension between God’s sovereign election and His desire for all to be saved.
• No One Can Come Unless Drawn: John 6:44 (ESV): “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.”
Jesus states that coming to Him requires a divine drawing by the Father. This speaks to the necessity of God’s initiative in salvation, yet it does not negate human response to God’s drawing.
• Life and Death, Blessing and Curse: Deuteronomy 30:19 (ESV): “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live,”
Moses’ call to choose life over death suggests an element of human responsibility in responding to God’s offer. It presents a choice that has real consequences, affirming the role of human agency within the framework of divine sovereignty.
Purpose of Election
Scripture outlines several purposes behind God’s election, revealing its depth and significance in the divine plan.
• Adoption as Sons Through Christ: Ephesians 1:5-6 (ESV): “he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.”
God’s election is for the purpose of adoption into His family, achieved through Jesus Christ. This adoption is according to His will and ultimately serves to bring praise to His glorious grace, highlighting the redemptive nature of election.
• To Show God’s Glory: Romans 9:22-23 (ESV): “What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory—”
This passage suggests that one purpose of election is to display God’s glory in both judgment and mercy. God’s patience and mercy, shown towards those He elects, highlight His power, grace, and glory.
• Called to a Holy Calling: 2 Timothy 1:9 (ESV): “who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,”
Believers are saved and called to a life of holiness, not based on their works but according to God’s purpose and grace. This calling reflects the intentionality and grace of God’s election.
• Chosen to Know God’s Truth: 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5 (ESV): “For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.”
The Thessalonians’ reception of the Gospel with power and the Holy Spirit confirms their election. It demonstrates that election involves knowing and experiencing the truth of the Gospel.
In the next part, we will examine how election relates to the concept of salvation, and the implications of election for Christian living and assurance.
Election and Salvation
The concept of election is deeply intertwined with the biblical understanding of salvation.
• A Remnant Chosen by Grace: Romans 11:5-6 (ESV): “So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.”
Paul speaks of a remnant chosen by God’s grace, indicating that election is an act of divine grace rather than human merit. This demonstrates that salvation is fundamentally a gift, not something earned, which upholds the gracious nature of God’s election.
• Foreknown and Sanctified: 1 Peter 1:1-2 (ESV): “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion…according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.”
This greeting underscores that election involves being set apart by the Spirit for obedience and purification through Jesus’ sacrifice. It connects God’s foreknowledge with the transformative process of sanctification, showing that election is both about being chosen and being made holy.
• Chosen to Bear Fruit: John 15:16 (ESV): “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.”
Jesus’ words to His disciples reveal that election has a purpose – to bear lasting fruit. This indicates that election is not just about salvation’s beginning but involves a lifelong process of fruitful living in Christ.
• By Grace Through Faith: Ephesians 2:8-10 (ESV): “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
Paul eloquently explains that salvation is a gift of grace received through faith, not a result of human efforts. This grace that saves is also what enables believers to do good works, which are part of God’s predestined plan for those He has chosen.
Living in Light of Election
Understanding one’s election by God influences how believers live, providing assurance and motivation for godly living.
• As God’s Chosen Ones, Holy and Beloved: Colossians 3:12 (ESV): “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,”
Believers are reminded of their identity as God’s chosen and are exhorted to live out this identity through virtues like compassion, kindness, and humility. This reflects the transformative impact of understanding oneself as chosen by God.
• Make Your Calling and Election Sure: 2 Peter 1:10-11 (ESV): “Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
Peter encourages believers to confirm their election through godly living. This diligence in developing Christian virtues serves as both evidence of one’s election and a path to abundant entrance into God’s eternal kingdom.
• Work Out Your Salvation: Philippians 2:12-13 (ESV): “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
Paul instructs believers to actively work out their salvation, acknowledging that it is God who enables both the desire and the effort. This reflects the dynamic interplay between divine sovereignty and human responsibility in the process of salvation.
• Chosen for Gospel Reception: 1 Thessalonians 1:4-6 (ESV): “For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.”
Paul affirms the Thessalonians’ election, evidenced by their powerful reception of the Gospel. This reception involved not just intellectual assent but transformation by the Holy Spirit, underscoring the effective calling of God in the lives of His elect.
Conclusion
Election and predestination are profound and complex doctrines that reveal the depth of God’s sovereign grace in salvation. These teachings call believers to a deep sense of humility, gratitude, and assurance, knowing that their salvation is rooted in God’s eternal purpose and unmerited favor. While these doctrines raise questions about human free will and divine justice, they ultimately point us to a God whose ways are higher than ours, inviting trust and wonder at the mystery of His ways. As believers, we are encouraged to respond to this divine election with faithful obedience, earnestly living out the calling we have received in Christ.