Understanding God's Election in Scriptures

The Election

Introduction The Presidential Election is Tuesday, November 3rd This occurs every four years and this is one of those years This is a time for decisions - debates - discussions US citizens will cast their ballots for Their choice for President Congressional candidates Candidates of various state races Local Mayors, City Councils, School District Board Members Various State & Local Measures (propositions) 2

Introduction The focus of this lesson is NOT about the November 3rd election Christians have a dual citizenship Of the country they were born or live in Heavenly citizenship - Philippians 3:30; Ephesians 2:19 Must honor and exercise our obligations to Civil government - Romans 13:1-6; 1 Peter 2:13-17 Especially God - Matthew 6:33; Ecclesiastes 12:12-13 In this lesson we will be discussing the election of God The Scriptures affirm such an election 3

1 Thessalonians 1:2-5 2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; 3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; 4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. 5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake 4

2 Peter 1:5-10 5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall 5

Election Defined - The VERB Translated from eklektos(Greek), which literally signifies picked out, chosen - Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, by Vine Jesus was the chosen, or the elect of God - Luke 23:35 Elect Angels Holy in contrast to the angels who sinned 1 Timothy 5:21 Fallen angels who where cast down to hell - 2 Peter 2:4 The chosen refer to the faithful who overcame - Revelation 17:14 6

Election Defined - The NOUN Translated from ekloge(Greek), denotes a picking out, selection...that which is chosen - Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, by Vine The election of God (1 Thessalonians 1:4) refers to people who are elected, or chosen by God Nation of Israel was a chosen nation under Moses Deuteronomy 10:15; Psalms 105:6 Christians today are a: chosen generation royal priesthood holy nation peculiar people But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 1 Peter 2:9 7

What Elect Does Not Mean Calvinist abuse foreordination & predestination They contend that God from the foundation of the world has predestined Some to eternal salvation and others to eternal condemnation This makes us pre-programed by God A pawn on God s eternal chess board This makes God a respecter of persons Acts 10:34-35 Romans 2:11 8

Calvinists Claim God, from all eternity, did, by the most wise and holy counsel of His own will, freely, and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass He has not decreed anything because He foresaw it as future, or as that which would come to pass on such conditions By the decree of God, for the manifestation of His glory, some men are predestinated to everlasting life; and others foreordained to everlasting death their number so certain and definite that it cannot be either increased or diminished Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter III, Sections 1-4, 1960 9

What the Bible Teaches The Bible teaches people must come to repentance 2 Peter 3:9 That people can choose whom they will serve Joshua 24:15 Romans 6:12-18 All will give an account regarding their choices & actions 2 Corinthians 5:9-10 Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 Acts 17:30-31 Romans 14:10-12 10

When Is Gods Elect, ELECTED? Paul spoke of the Elect Romans 8:33; Colossians 3:12; 2 Timothy 2:1o; Titus 1:1-3; Romans 11:5, 7 He described and wrote to saints of the Lord Chosen by & predestinated by God - Ephesians 1:3-5 He made known the mystery of his will Ephesians 1:9 Riches of Christ are according to His eternal purpose Ephesians 3:1-11 God planned before the foundation of the world To save sinful man - 1 Thessalonians 1:5; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 The church which Christ is the Head - Ephesians 1:22-23 The destiny of the obedient (the justified ) - Romans 8:28-30 11

Gods Process of Election The HOW is given in our text - 1 Thessalonians 1:2-5 But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren, beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ - 2 Thess. 2:13-15 The PROCESS Called by the Gospel Believed the truth Sanctified by the Spirit For His glory assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake 2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; 3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; 4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. 5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much Those CHOSEN by God are added to the Lord s church Acts 2:41-47 12

Our Election Is conditionally received Man cannot change Gods plan We choose to obey to Gospel - Romans 6:17-18 God will punish those who choose not to obey the gospel And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power - 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 13

Make Your Calling and ELECTION Sure Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall 2 Peter 1:10 Keeping saved is just as important as being saved Departure from the faith is possible Hebrews 3:12-13; 2 Peter 2:19-22 Christians must live faithful unt0 death Revelation 2:10 ONLY faithful servants will receive the promised crown 2 Timothy 4:5-8; James 1:12 14

A Question To Ponder Is your calling and ELECTION sure ? 15

1 Remember, you re a Christian! When You Cast Your Ballot 2 Vote for righteousness - Pro. 14:34 3 Know your candidate s platform 4 Is righteousness helped/hindered? 5 Vote to advance liberty and justice 16

Alien sinners must Hear the Gospel Romans 10:17 Believe the Gospel John 8:24 Repent of Your Sins Acts 17:30 Confess Your Faith in Christ Before Men Matthew 10:32 Be Baptized in Water to Wash Away Thy Sins Acts 2:38 Erring children of God must Repent & Pray for Forgiveness Acts 8:21-23 Christians must live faithful unto death Revelation 2:10 what shall we do? Acts 2:37 17