Do We Choose God or Does God Choose us? Pt. 1

            The topic of election is a complex issue that has been debated in church history from the beginning of the Church. Believers being chosen, or elect, is an apparent reality that is found in Scripture. However, what does that mean? Does God choose who gets into heaven and who's going to hell? Is it only a part of that truth? Is it possible that God chose people who first chose him? Due to the complexity of this topic, we will split it up into a multi-part series. This week, we will strive to set a foundation as to what an election is according to Scripture. In the coming weeks, we will explore different positions and see which one is the most correct.

            We see this theme of election throughout the Bible. God chose people such as Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Jeremiah, and the nation of Israel. This election is seen through God’s favors that he bestows on them, which, humanly speaking, would greatly enhance their opportunity of eternal salvation. “For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession. The Lord did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath he swore to your ancestors that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt.” (Deuteronomy 7:6-8). God had set apart the nation of Israel to be his chosen people to be made holy in his sight. “‘I have loved you,” says the Lord. “But you ask, ‘How have you loved us?’ “Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the Lord. “Yet I have loved Jacob, but Esau I have hated, and I have turned his hill country into a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals.’” (Malachi 1:2-3). This is another example of this theme that is seen throughout the Bible. We will discuss this verse in more depth later.

            During his earthly ministry, Jesus is recorded in Matthew 20:1-16 telling a parable about a landowner who went out at different times of the day to find workers to work in his field. At the end of the day, he paid them all the same amount of money. Naturally, the workers who had been there all day began to grumble. The landowner responds by saying, “‘But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?” (Matthew 20:1-16). From this parable, we learn three important things concerning God’s freedom. First, no one who receives what he deserves has a basis for complaint. Second, the master is sovereign and free in his gifts. Third, the master is not evil because you are jealous – he can be just and yet give favors. We must keep these three realities in mind as we continue in our discussion about election.

            The New Testament is full of instances where election is evident. “For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it.” (John 5:21). God gives eternal life to whomever he wants to. “When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.” (Acts 13:48). These individuals were appointed for eternal life. In other words, they were elected by God to have this life eternal. “For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” (Acts 18:10). God here is telling Paul to not be afraid of the persecution he had been facing in Corinth because he still had people that were elect that had not yet been saved. We see then that election is a theme in the New Testament. It is hard to deny the reality that, in some way, believers have been elected by God at some point in time.

            Hopefully, we have done enough work in scripture to see that the election of the saints is a true reality. It is not something that is made up; rather, it is rooted in scripture. In fact, the main debate is not whether or not believers are elect. Rather, the debate is how believers are elected. Does God choose who the elect are without external influences, or does he choose based on who chooses him? This will be the discussion that we will have next week. For now, ponder on the reality of the elect and rejoice in the fact that you are one of those elect if you have placed your trust in him.