The Election of God

"Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God." - 1 Thessalonians 1:4

How do you know if you have been elected of God to be saved? Are you among the chosen of God?

The answer lies in understanding some terms used in Scripture.

Foreknowledge is an attribute of God. Predestination is an act of God. God elects to save on the basis of what one does with His Son Jesus Christ.

God knows all who will believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for their salvation.  However, He does not make the choice for anyone. God offers individuals a free will to choose to trust on Jesus Christ as Savior or reject Jesus Christ as Savior by not accepting the Gospel (the sinless shed blood, death, burial, and resurrection of Christ for full payment of one's sins).

One must understand from the Scriptures what God predestinated. God doesn’t predestinate individuals. God before the foundation of the world has predestinated “all” that would believe in His Son Jesus Christ for salvation from their sins will be saved.

Gods part is sanctification (saving an individual). Our part is believing the Truth of the Gospel. Notice the verse below.

“But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning  chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.” - 2 Thess. 2:13

God predestinates no person to Hell. We are saved or lost depending on if we have believed the Gospel (Jesus’ sinless shed blood, death, burial, and resurrection as full payment for all one's sins). Have you accepted the Gospel of your salvation? Notice in the passage below the phrase "in Christ." Are you "in Christ"? You can be found in Christ by your faith in Him as Savior. (see Phil. 3:9)

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us  in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted  in the beloved.  In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory,  who first trusted in Christ.  In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation:  in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest (down-payment) of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory." (Eph. 1:3-7, 11-14)

D. L. Moody simplified the doctrine of election by stating, the "whosoever wills" are the elect, and the "whosoever wont's" are the non-elect.

"And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And  whosoever will, let him take the water of life  freely." (Rev. 22:17)

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that  whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

"He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (John 3:18)

God has given mankind personal volition (free will) and holds us with personal responsibility for our choices.

Act on faith in response to God's love. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” - Rom. 5:8

God is pursuing every person. He has done His part, so now it is time for us to act on faith; trust on His Son Jesus for salvation. 

God loves every person.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” - John 3:16

God sheds light upon every person.

Speaking of Jesus Christ - “That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” - John 1:9

God draws every person so that they may be saved if they will trust on Christ.

Jesus said, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” - John 12:32

God does not want any person to be sent to Hell.

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:9

God wants every person to find the truth.

“Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” – 1 Tim. 2:4

If a person searches for God. God has promised they will find Him.

“And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.” – Psalm 9:10

God says, “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” – Jeremiah 29:13

God will judge every person according to what they have done with His Son Jesus. “Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man (Jesus Christ) whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.” - Acts 17:31

Will you trust Jesus Christ as your personal Savior?  Will you believe on Him to save you from your sins?  The choice is yours...