Who chose whom? When was this choice made? Why did God choose us? How did God choose us? Does the Bible teach election? That is an easy question to answer. Yes. The word "elect" or "election" is found 23 times in the New Testament alone. You cannot be honest with the Word of God and deny the Bible teaches it. Now, for a bigger question to consider: What does election mean?
The word "elect" means "to choose out, to pick, to select" I have heard people say, "Election is hard to understand." I don't believe that! It may be hard to receive, but it is not hard to understand. Paul defines this truth quite simply in Ephesians. Chapter l..."According as he hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world." God literally chose who would be saved before time began (Romans 9:ll, II Thess. 2:13, II Tim. 1:9).
1. WHO chose whom? It says, "He hath chosen us." If you are a believer, it is not because you chose God, but because He chose you. Did not the Lord say in John 15:16 "For ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you."
2. WHEN was this choice Made? Many try to sidestep the truth of election by saying God chose us when we chose Him. But Eph. l:4 says, "He hath chosen us before the foundation of the world."The Biblical doctrine of election clearly states that God's choice preceded ours. He made the choice "before the foundation of the world."
3. WHY did God choose us? Again many say that He chose us because He foresaw we would believe. If I choose to help out a certain person, it is true I foresee I will do it because I determined to. God choose us simply because He willed to, not because of any foreseen faith or good works in us Romans 9:11 says. "For the children, being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil that the purpose of God according to election might stand."
4. HOW did God choose us? In Christ. Election is God's sovereign choice of His people in Christ. He chose them in His Son before the foundation of the world to be saved. Election is in Christ and cannot be understood apart from Him. The elect were not chosen arbitrarily. but "in the Beloved" (Eph. 1:6). They were redeemed by Him and they all come to Him... "All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out" (John 6:37).
*