Unconditional Election

"Yet before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad, in order that God's plan of election might stand, not by works but by Him who calls, she was told, "The older will serve the younger." So it is written: "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."" Romans 9:11-13

The doctrine of Unconditional Election takes us into one of the deepest and most humbling truths in all of Scripture. Before we had done anything good or bad, before we had believed, before we had repented, before we had performed a single righteous deed, God had already purposed to save His people by His sovereign grace.

Election means that God chose a people for Himself.
It was not man's choice of God, but God's gracious choice of sinners.
Jesus said to His disciples, "You did not choose Me, but I chose you" (John 15:16).
Paul likewise declared that God "chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight" (Ephesians 1:4).

The word "unconditional" is crucial. God's choice was not based upon something He foresaw in us, that would make us worthy of His favor. Romans 9 explicitly says that Jacob and Esau had not yet been born, and had not yet done anything good or bad, when God's purpose in election was declared. God's choice did not rest upon their works.

This destroys human boasting at its very root. If God chose us because He foresaw that we would believe, repent, or persevere better than someone else, then we could point to something within ourselves as the reason for our salvation. But Scripture gives us a different answer. "God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ; even when we were dead in transgressions" (Ephesians 2:4-5).

Why did God choose His people?

Ultimately, Scripture points us to His own gracious purpose. "He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will" (Ephesians 1:5). He chose us "in accordance with His pleasure and will." The explanation for election is found in God Himself -- His mercy, His wisdom, His purpose, and His grace.

This truth is not designed to make the believer proud. It should make him profoundly humble.

Paul asks, "Who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive?" (1 Corinthians 4:7). If everything we have received from God is a gift, then there is no room for boasting. The believer can only fall upon his knees and say, "Why me, Lord?" Not because he was better than another sinner, but only because God was gracious.

Unconditional Election also magnifies the sovereignty of God. Salvation is not ultimately dependent upon the uncertain will of fallen man. God is not anxiously waiting to discover who will choose Him. He is the sovereign Lord who accomplishes His purpose. "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen" (Romans 11:36).

Yet God's sovereignty never removes man's responsibility. Scripture commands every sinner to repent and believe the gospel. The gospel is genuinely proclaimed to all, and everyone who comes to Jesus in faith, will find Him to be a perfect and willing Savior. Jesus said, "Whoever comes to Me, I will never cast out" (John 6:37).

The mystery of God's sovereign election and man's responsibility, should not lead us beyond Scripture into speculation.
Where God has spoken, we should believe.
Where He has not revealed everything, we should bow in humble worship.

There is also tremendous comfort in this doctrine for the believer. Our salvation did not originate in our own goodness, and therefore its foundation does not rest upon our goodness. The God who purposed to save His people, will accomplish His purpose. Jesus declared concerning His sheep, "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of My hand!" (John 10:28).

What security! Our salvation rests not upon the frailty of our faith, but upon the faithfulness of our Savior.

Unconditional Election also magnifies the wonder of eternity. Before the foundation of the world, God had purposed to have a people who would belong to Him. In eternity, that redeemed multitude will stand before His throne, not boasting in their wisdom, goodness, or worthiness, but praising the Lamb who saved them.

And what will be their song? "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!" (Revelation 7:10).

Beloved, election should never cause us to gaze endlessly upon ourselves. It should cause us to gaze upon God.
His choice is gracious.
His purpose is eternal.
His wisdom is perfect.
His mercy is astonishing.
His promises are sure.

If you are in Jesus, do not ever think that God chose you, because of something admirable He saw in you. Marvel instead that He chose to set His love upon an undeserving sinner! He did not choose you because He found something worthy in you--for there was not a single good thing in you. The wonder is that He loved you in spite of what you were--a loathsome mass of sin.

Grace begins in the heart of God.

Salvation is God's work from beginning to end.

And therefore, when the redeemed finally stand before their Savior, every crown will fall at His feet, every mouth will be silenced from boasting, and every heart will acknowledge the glorious truth: We are saved by grace alone!

"To Him be glory in the church and in Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:21

(The above was AI generated.)