God's unconditional election

The doctrine of God's unconditional election is not a recently discovered doctrine nor is it a man-made theological phenomenon. In 2 Thessalonians 2:13-15, Paul says, "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 truth." Here we have a vivid picture that this is a biblical doctrine. Although most doctrines are received by Christians with caution, others with joy, this doctrine seems to be most frequently jettisoned. Many hold a view that it makes God unfair and unjust but I think it's imperative to highlight the fact that salvation had never been about fairness or justice but by God's grace alone, “for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Paul further affirms that we are saved by grace alone through faith alone which is a giftfromGod(Ephesians2:8).

I want to begin first by defining this doctrine by borrowing words from the old Baptist confession in the 3rd article whichIbelievegivesabiblicaldefinitionofthisdoctrine.It reads, "By the decree of God, for the manifestation of his glory, some men and angels are predestined or foreordainedtoeternallifethroughJesusChristtothe praise his glorious grace, other being left to act in their sin to their just condemnation, to the praise of his glorious justice. These angels and men thus predestined and foreordained, are particularly and unchangeably designed and their number is certain and definite, that cannot be either increased or diminished. Those of mankind that are predestined to 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 anything in the creature asaconditionorcausemovinghimthereunto."

What is the nature of this doctrine?

By definition, this doctrine is "UNCONDITIONAL". This simply means that God did not elect people based on the foreseen faith or response of any good works they would do.Instead,Hediditunconditionallybasedonhisfreewill and purpose of his glory. In Ephesians 1:5 “Blessed be the GodandFatherofourLordJesusChrist,whoblessedusin Christ with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places, even as he chose us in Him before the foundation of the world,inlovehepredestinedusforadoptionto

The benefit of this doctrine

himself as sons through Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the purpose of his glorious grace”, clearly assert that election/ salvation solely depends on God's love, according to his purpose and for his glory alone. As the old puritan, Jonathan Edward's said, “You contribute nothing to your salvation except the sin that made it necessary.”

While it is true that we are not saved because of our works, man is still accountable. We must, all who are elected, bear fruits of repentance which affirms our salvation. If we neglect the need of works altogether, it will mean that the day of judgment is futile. Theologians call it God's sovereignty and man's responsibility. In John 1:12-13"Buttoallwhodidreceivehim,whobelievedinhis name, he gave the right you become children of God (man's responsibility), who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor the will of man but of God (God's sovereignty)furtherillustratethisfact.

This doctrine is also eternal. Election was established and sealed by God in the eternity past and who are graciously chosen are given eternal life. In John 10:28-30 “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given themtome,isgreaterthanall, andnooneisableto snatch them out of my Father's hand", is one of the most glorious statements by our Lord Jesus Christconcerningthenatureof the life we received which is eternal and the assurance and security we have in this because no one can snatch us from the hand of Christ. In Him we have an assurance of our eternal security of our salvation. If we are still convinced that we can lose our salvation, it means we still convinced that salvation depends on us. John McUrther famously said, “If it was possible to lose our salvation,wewouldallloseit."

There are numerous benefits for the believer in this doctrine which encompasses the whole spectrum of Christian experience. While others tend to believe that teaching this doctrine will he giving Christian’s license to sin, scripture absolutely condemns this view. True understanding of this doctrine is not licentious to sin nor does it give us a free will to palliate sin. In Colossians

3:12-13 "put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, tender mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering, forebearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any quarrel against anyone; even as Christ forgave you, so also do", Paul exhort the brethren to put on these holy and God characteristics because they are God's elect. God has elected us "through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth ". He choose people to be holy and believers. Through sanctification, wearecontinuouslyandprogressivelyconformedtotheimageofChrist.