Speaking the Truth in Love
The Election Of God
There are many religious people in the world today who believe in the “election of God”. They say that God chooses certain favored ones and blesses them with salvation. If you are not one of the “elected” ones, there is no hope that you will ever obtain salvation. This doctrine also promotes the idea that once you are elected, you can do nothing to fall away from grace and lose your salvation. This doctrine is not a doctrine of the Bible. God’s word tells us that anyone who obeys can be elected of God. Furthermore, once one has been elected, they can fall away. The New Testament is full of warnings to His elect to remain faithful and diligent to the end. We would like to study the election of God tonight. We will start with the nation of Israel.
ISRAEL
1. Israel had a choice to be saved (Romans 10:1, Acts 3:22-26)
2. The adoption, election, and predestination all applied to the Jews, but they rejected it (John 1:11-13, Romans 9:3-4). God required Belief (Romans 9:33-10:1, 8-12)
3. The Israelite branch was broken off that the Gentiles could be grafted in. God could also graft the Israelites back in again (Romans 11:17-24). Gentiles could also be cut off if they did not continue in His goodness (Romans 11:22).
APOSTLES
1. Chosen by Jesus (John 15:16-19, 17:6, Luke 6:13, Acts 1:2-3, 9:15) - (hand picked) by the Lord.
2. Warnings were given that even applied to the Apostles (Matthew 20:16, 24:14, 22, 24, 31, Mark 13:20, 22, 27). Even the Apostles could fall away (i.e., Judas Iscariot).
ALL MANKIND
1. The gospel is for all to come to obedience (Acts 17:30-31, 10:34-35, Romans 10:13-17).
2. No individual is now specified in the election but God wants all to access His grace through faith, that they should walk in His good works (Romans 5:1-2, Ephesians 2:8-10, 2 Peter 3:9)
CONDITIONS OF BEING ELECTED
1. God grants His grace and mercy to those who fear Him (Matthew 10:28, Luke 1:50, Revelation 19:5).
2. God shows mercy on those who are chosen by Him. God also tells us He chooses those who are obedient (Exodus 20:6, 1 John 5:1-4).
THE ELECT, PREDESTINED, AND ADOPTED ARE THOSE WHO HAVE OBEYED GOD AND REMAIN FAITHFUL
1. Ephesians 1:1-14 – The elect being referred to in this passage have obeyed. “We have obtained” (11), “you also trusted” (13), “heard the word of truth” (13), and “having believed” (13).
2. Romans 8:28-30 – He has predestined “those who love God” (28), those who are conformed to the image of His Son (29).
3. Luke 18:7 - God has compassion for His elect.
4. Titus 1:1 -The elect have faith in God.
5. Colossians 3:12-17, 1 Thessalonians 1:2-7 - Those of the elect (or the chosen) actively serve God.
6. 1 Peter 1:1-2:3 - The elect have their faith tested (6-9), are obedient (14), are holy in conduct (15), conduct themselves in fear (17), purify their souls in obeying the truth (22), are born again (23), are to grow (2:2).
7. 1 Peter 2:4-17 – The elect are to be LIVELY STONES! They offer up spiritual sacrifices (5), Proclaim praises (9), Abstain from fleshly lusts (11), Submit to man's laws (13), Do good (15), and Honor, love, fear (17)
8. 2 Peter 1:5-11 - In verses 10-11 Peter tells us that if we are diligent about doing the things talked about in verses 5-7 (i.e., “making our election sure”), God will supply an entrance to the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
9. 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 – The chosen believe the truth and are called by the gospel.
CLOSING
Mathew 28:18-20 - The apostles were commanded to go to all the world and preach the gospel to every creature (Romans 16:25-26, Colossians 1:5-6) in order that people would be saved (or elected). Why preach if everyone cannot have control of there decision to be elected?
We are chosen based on whether we obey the Word, the gospel (Romans 16:13)! Whether we have been transformed is how we determine if we have been elected (Romans 12:1-2). This is God’s way to bring His obedient children to Him. This does not mean that we earn our salvation. God and Jesus Christ paid that price and nothing we can do will pay for the price of sin. But we can obey and gain access to the grace that is offered to us (Romans 5:1-2).
Many religions today, claim that in their group, certain ones are highly favored and have certain privileges that the normal member does not have. Some have special ones who will go to heaven while others stay on earth. Some have certain officers (presidents, apostles, arch bishops, etc.) who have various privileges above the average members. With Christ’s church there are saints, deacons, and bishops, and they all have the hope for the same reward – to live eternally in heaven.
God will save the faithful remnant (Romans 9:27, 11:5). They are the ones who are called, chosen, elected, and are faithful (Revelations 17:14). Why not chose to become one of those faithful tonight? We hope to see you next time on Speaking the Truth in Love!
