There is a biblical topic that has been the source of critical debate within the Church for generations of its existence… The matter of Election. Through this article, I hope to shine some light on the Glory that is the gracious sovereignty of God and the freedom that we have in it!
To address the issue of Election, we have to begin at the basis of what Scripture has to say about this. In Romans 8:28-30, Paul writes, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. “
Many people stumble at verse 29. “For those who he FOREKNEW he also PREDESTINED to be conformed to the image of his son.”… So let’s ask three questions. Question1: What does “foreknew” mean? Well, the Greek word used here comes from the word προγινώσκω (proginóskó) meaning “to know or CHOOSE before hand.” So, foreknew is the past tense verb of knowing beforehand. Question 2: What does “predestined” mean? The Greek word used here originates from προορίζω (proorizó) which means “to determine or CHOOSE before hand.” So, predestined is the past tense verb of to choosing beforehand. Now, let’s pair the two together. An Arminian will say that foreknew and predestined mean the same thing, foreknowing. However, that is not the case in their sense as we see from the Greek. In reality, they are two different acts done at the same time. The same Arminian would then say that God foreknew and THEN he predestined. But, the text does not say, ‘For those he foreknew he then predestined.” It says, “he ALSO predestined.” Therefore, He does not choose because he knows… He knows because He chose.
Now for Question 3. Why is He foreknowing and predestining? What is the purpose behind His foreknowing and predestining? Before the foundations of the world were laid, God foreknew and predestined those who were “to be conformed in the image of His Son,” meaning, those who were to be saved and elect. Paul further confirms this when he says, “And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.” This goes to prove that the ones who are predestined and elect are the ones who will come to faith in Jesus Christ in their lifetime. The inverse is just as true: If there are those who lived their entire lives in full rebellion against God without coming to faith in Christ and repenting of their sin, they are not elect and will receive justice for their rebellion. The elect will come to faith and repent of their sins and receive mercy for their past rebellion, because it has already been cast on Christ on the Cross. John also confirms this when he says, “They went out from us because they were not of us, for if they had been of us they would not have went out.” By contrast, the elect will have gone through and remain in God’s providence and sovereignty over man’s salvation.
Let’s talk about “free will.” If human free will is defined as our making choices based on our own ability, then, yes, “free will” does exist. We all have a moral agent within our souls. However, if “free will” is defined as our inborn ability to choose Christ and do things that please God, then, no, free will does not exist. In Romans 8:7-8, Paul describes the soul’s state before Christ saves it like this: “7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” and in Ephesians 2:1: “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins.” To have a mind-set of the flesh (being without Christ) is to be in full rebellion against God with no interest in Him or even the things of Him. And because of the fact that we rebel against God and are sinners, we cannot possibly please Him because we, our own power, cannot atone for our sins and reconcile our relationship with Him. When a soul is dead, it cannot do anything but rot. Therefore, there is no possible way that man’s dead soul can be revived and his blind heart can receive sight without God initiating the regenerating work of salvation in the heart of the sinner first! Christ tells His disciples in John 6:44, ” No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.” So, a sinful man, depraved, dead, and blind in his sin, is utterly incapable of making even the first step to come to Christ in faith and repentance on his own power. God the Father HAS to draw the sinner to Himself.
Many will accuse God of being unjust for electing His own. Once again, Paul addresses those accusations directly in Romans 9:14-16, “ What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! 15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.” We as the creation–and a fallen creation at that!–have neither authority nor right to question God on anything He pleases to do. He is good and just, while sinners such as you and I are not. Therefore, it is not our position to question why God elects some and not others. Rather, it is our position to thank God that He would predestine us to His conformity, despite His foreknowledge of our iniquity, sins that only we know and even sins we are yet to commit. He still chose to adopt us, orphaned sons and daughters of hell, as sons and daughters of HIM.
Speaking of responding to His grace, how should we respond to the knowledge of His election? Should we kick back in our recliners and lie in our beds and let be what will be? Absolutely not! Reacting to His sovereign grace with laziness and contempt is the same as to react to His saving grace with gluttony of sin! As Paul asked in Romans 6:1-2, “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?” I will similarly ask, what shall we say then? Are we to relax in our mission since the master has already chosen? By no means! How can a nail go into wood unless the carpenter sends the hammer to drive it in? God is the carpenter, the elect, awaiting to be conformed, are the nails, and you and I as the Gospel bearers are the hammers that God will use to preach unto those who are waiting to hear it! So, dear brothers and sisters, what is stopping us now from running out of the doors every morning and declaring from the rooftops that the crucified and risen Christ is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!? The harvest is ready, it has been grown and prepared by God, all that it awaits is the preaching of the Word. May I leave you with this verse to soak in? Romans 10:14-17 “14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”
Grace be With You,
Luke