Knowing Your Election

When the gospel of God's grace was brought to the Thessalonians, they received it as the Word of God in the power of the Holy Ghost, and with much assurance (see 1 Thess. 1:5). They "turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; And to wait for His Son from heaven ... even Jesus" (vs. 9,10). They were saved by faith in the Saviour, Jesus.

In verse 4, however, we learn another truth concerning their salvation. Paul writes, "Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God." They were saved by believing the Gospel, but they also learn they had been elected by God to be saved. These two truths appear to some to be contradictory, and human reasoning finds them to be irreconcilable. Consequently, either one truth or the other is received, but not both, and the result is that God's Word is only partly believed for lack of human understanding.

As a matter of Scriptural revelation, both truths are most precious; namely, God's sovereignty in choosing (electing) some to salvation, and man's responsibility believe and be saved. Inference is often wrongly drawn that because God chooses some to salvation that he chooses some to be lost. This, however, is erroneous, human assumption not based on Scriptural revelation. In fact, a multitude of Scriptures reveal His desire that all might be saved, and never is there one found that in the least indicates He chooses some to be lost.

In 2 Peter 3:9, we read He "is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish." John 3:16 tells us that "whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." And in 1 Timothy 2:4 we read, He would "have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth." That is God's Word.

Just so, however, is it equally true as revealed in Ephesians 1:4 that the believer has been chosen "in Him before the foundation of the world." Also, in 1 Peter 1:2 we read, "Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ."

Writing further to the saints to whom Paul had previously revealed "Knowing your election," he says in 2 Thessalonians 2:13,14, "God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation," and then reveals the means: "through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto He called you by our Gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." God's election of them is stated; the means whereby He brings His elected ones to salvation is by the Holy Spirit's conviction, and by their believing the truth set forth in the Gospel.

Why He chose me, I will never be able to fathom. However, I am assured by His Word that He did so. Jesus says in John 15:16, "Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you." In Deuteronomy 7:6-8 where Moses speaks of Jehovah choosing Israel for His earthly people, it was "Because the Lord loved you." That is the answer for the believer. This will evoke eternal praise from the redeemed.

An illustration may serve to show the truth of what we have before us. Imagine a house with a sign on the outside which reads: "WHOSOEVER WILL MAY COME." Many pass by, some enter the door. Inside there is a sign which reads: "CHOSEN IN CHRIST BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD." The latter is a truth for those who came into the house. They learn their salvation was all of God, and according to His eternal purpose to have an eternal companion, the Bride, for His Son.

If you believe, you have been chosen and owe all to Him. If you don't believe, you are lost and cannot blame God, for He says, "Whosoever will may come." No one will be turned away. Now notice both truths brought together in John 6:37: "All that the Father hath given Me shall come to Me; and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out."

From Moments For You Magazine, September-October 1988