Source/Author: Dr Michael Dalseno

Romans Chapters nine to eleven delves into the topic of “Election,” a Biblical word that describes God’s part in your salvation. What does Election mean for us? Grudem posts three benefits.

THE GENEROSITY OF GOD IN ELECTION

Dr  D

Romans Chapters nine to eleven delves into the topic of “Election,” a Biblical word that describes God’s part in your salvation. Sometimes people think of salvation in terms of the quality choices they have made or the good works they have done. The Book of Romans is clear about man’s part in salvation – such as in hearing the preached Word of God, repentance, faith, conversion, living the sanctified life, and the like – but it is also clear about God’s part in salvation, and this is where the issue of Election comes in.  Election is taught in the Bible; Romans Chs 9-11, 1Thess 1.4, 2 Pet.1.10, Matt. 24, to name a few.

Most of us can testify of the evidence of Election in our lives – those precious times of involvement and intervention even when we were unaware of it or unprepared for it: doors opened for you; you miraculously emerged from a very awkward situation; the provision you received in time of need; the hand of God in your personal development, and so on.

And the more we look at God’s involvement in our lives, the further back we seem to travel in identifying just “when” did God start planning and working in my life? We may see His great hand at work this year and think that this is clear evidence of God’s Election in my life – only to be brought back in time even further and think it was a decade ago, or when we got married, or when we went to school, or when we recovered from a bad illness, or when we were born, or …

Before we know it, we are brought to the acute realization that God had a part in our formation and our salvation even before we were born. Matt 25:35 says, “Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”  Eph 1:4 adds, “He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world.” And Rev 13:8 refers to those “whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life.”

So then, what does Election mean for us? Grudem posts three benefits:

1.      As a Comfort. Paul assures us that God “works for good with those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose” (Ro.8.28);

2.      As a reason to praise God. “He destined us in love to be His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will, to the praise of His glorious name” (Eph.1.5-6);

3.      As an encouragement to Evangelism. Paul says, “I endure everything for the sake of the Elect, that they also may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus” (2Tim.2.10).

We should, therefore, whatever the challenges and hardships we are facing, rejoice in such a great salvation. To Him be all the thanks and all the glory!!