The doctrine of election is one of the most humbling and glorious truths revealed in Scripture. It exalts the sovereignty of God, magnifies His grace, and assures believers of the certainty of their salvation. Rooted in the eternal purposes of God, election teaches that before the foundation of the world, God chose a people to be saved—not because of anything foreseen in them, but solely according to His grace and good pleasure.
Yet, the doctrine of election is often misunderstood, caricatured, or outright rejected. Some claim it contradicts the love of God or undermines human responsibility, while others distort it by misinterpreting key texts or neglecting the full scope of Scripture. This article seeks to present a biblical, balanced understanding of election, respond to common objections, and demonstrate how this doctrine fuels worship, humility, and evangelistic zeal.
Understanding Election: What It Is and What It Is Not
What Election Is
Election refers to God’s sovereign and gracious choice to save certain individuals from the fallen human race. It is rooted in His eternal purpose and is not based on anything foreseen in the individual, such as faith, works, or any other merit. The Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF, Chapter 3.5) defines election as follows:
“Those of mankind that are predestinated unto life, God, before the foundation of the world was laid, according to His eternal and immutable purpose, and the secret counsel and good pleasure of His will, hath chosen in Christ, unto everlasting glory, out of His mere free grace and love, without any foresight of faith or good works, or perseverance in either of them, or any other thing in the creature, as conditions or causes moving Him thereunto: and all to the praise of His glorious grace.”
What Election Is Not
Election does not mean:
- God is arbitrary or capricious: God’s choice is according to His will, wisdom, and grace, though His reasons are not fully revealed to us.
- Human responsibility is negated: Scripture holds both God’s sovereignty and human accountability in tension (e.g., Acts 13:48, Romans 10:13-15).
- The gospel is restricted to the elect: The gospel is universally offered, and election ensures that God’s purposes in salvation are accomplished.
Misunderstandings About Election
1. Misusing John 3:16
A common objection to election is that it contradicts the universal love of God as expressed in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Many assume “world” (kosmos) means every individual without exception and argue that election limits God’s love. However, this interpretation fails to account for how “world” is used throughout John’s Gospel. Key considerations include:
- The Meaning of “World”: In John, “world” often refers to fallen humanity in rebellion against God (e.g., John 1:10, John 15:18-19). The emphasis in John 3:16 is not the number of individuals, but the quality of God’s love: He loved a sinful, rebellious “world” and gave His Son to save it.
- God’s Love and Election: God’s love is broad enough to offer salvation to all and deep enough to effectually save the elect. The universal offer of the gospel (“whosoever believeth”) does not negate the particular application of salvation to those who believe (the elect). As Jesus says in John 6:37, “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me.
- Context of John 3:17-19: The surrounding verses clarify that the “world” includes those who reject Christ and remain condemned. God’s love is demonstrated in the offer of salvation, but the saving work of Christ is applied only to believers, who are those chosen by God.
2. Does “World” Ever Mean “Elect”?
Some extreme views of election interpret “world” in John 3:16 exclusively as the “elect.” While it is true that God’s redemptive work is aimed at saving His chosen people, interpreting “world” as “elect” falters when applied to John 3:17:
“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
If “world” meant “elect,” this verse would imply that the elect were under condemnation before Christ’s coming, which contradicts their eternal security in God’s purposes (see Romans 8:29-30, Ephesians 1:4). Instead, “world” refers to humanity at large, the theater of God’s redemptive work, from which the elect are effectually saved.
The Biblical Foundations of Election
1. Election in the Old Testament
The doctrine of election is not a New Testament invention. In the Old Testament, God sovereignly chose Israel as His covenant people, not because of their merit but because of His love and faithfulness:
“The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people… but because the LORD loved you” (Deuteronomy 7:7-8).
This principle of sovereign choice extends to individuals, such as Abraham, Jacob, and David, and establishes the foundation for New Testament election.
2. Election in the New Testament
The New Testament explicitly teaches individual election:
- Romans 9:11-16 declares that God’s choice is not based on works but “on Him that calleth,” using the examples of Jacob and Esau.
- Ephesians 1:4-5 emphasizes that believers were “chosen in [Christ] before the foundation of the world.”
- Romans 8:29-30 further highlights the certainty of God’s saving work, in Paul’s golden chain from predestination to glorification.
3. Election and the Work of Christ
Election is inseparably tied to Christ’s atoning work. Jesus explicitly states that He lays down His life for His sheep (the elect) in John 10:14-15, “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.”
Christ’s death is sufficient for all but efficient only for the elect. This ensures that His atonement accomplishes salvation rather than merely making it possible.
Objections and Rebuttals
1. Is Election Unfair?
The objection that election is unfair stems from a misunderstanding of human nature. Scripture is clear:
- All have sinned and are deserving of judgment (Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23).
- God is under no obligation to save anyone. Election is an act of mercy, not injustice: “I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy” (Romans 9:15).
Far from being unfair, election displays God’s grace in saving some while leaving others in their just condemnation.
2. Does Election Undermine Evangelism?
Another objection is that election discourages evangelism. However, the opposite is true:
- Election Guarantees Success: In Acts 13:48, “as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.” Election ensures that gospel proclamation will bear fruit because God’s elect will respond in faith.
- Paul’s Confidence: Paul’s missionary zeal was grounded in the certainty of God’s election. In 2 Timothy 2:10, he writes, “I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus.”
Election motivates evangelism because it assures us that our labor is not in vain.
Practical Implications of Election
1. Humility and Gratitude
Election reminds us that salvation is entirely of grace. Believers are not chosen because of their faith or works but solely because of God’s mercy. This truth humbles us and inspires gratitude, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).
2. Comfort and Assurance
Election assures believers of God’s unchanging love. As Paul declares in Romans 8:38-39, nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ. Because salvation is rooted in God’s eternal purposes, it cannot fail.
3. Worship and Praise
The doctrine of election leads to worship. Paul’s doxology in Romans 11:33 captures the wonder of God’s sovereign grace, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!”
4. Evangelism and Mission
Far from discouraging evangelism, election motivates it. Knowing that God has chosen a people for Himself assures us that the gospel will accomplish its purpose, “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void” (Isaiah 55:11).
Conclusion
The doctrine of election magnifies the sovereignty and grace of God, securing the salvation of His people while ensuring the success of the gospel. It calls us to marvel at God’s unmerited love, rest in His unchanging purposes, and proclaim the gospel with boldness. For believers, election is a source of profound comfort, humility, and worship.
May we respond to this glorious truth with gratitude and zeal, proclaiming the gospel to all and living as those chosen by God for His glory. As Ephesians 1:3-4 declares:
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.”