Here are eleven things expressly taught in the Word of God about election.

1. Election is "IN CHRIST". No less than fourteen times in the first fourteen verses of Ephesians chapter one the Holy Spirit expressly tells us that every benefit and blessing of grace that comes to sinners from God is in Christ.
 

2. Election is UNTO SALVATION. Certainly, there is a sense in which it must be said that God's elect were saved from eternity (Rom 8:29); but we must never be deceived into thinking that election is salvation. Election is unto salvation. Election is not, as some teach unto "Christian service". Election is unto salvation.

 
3. Election is an act of pure, absolute, DIVINE SOVEREIGNTY. God has mercy on whom He will have mercy (Rom 9:11-18). God was not moved by anything outside Himself to choose the people He chose to save.

 
4. Election took place in ETERNITY. God did not choose His people in time, but before time began, in eternity. He chose us before the foundation of the world, from the beginning, when nothing existed except God Himself in the trinity of the eternal Godhead.

 
5. The source and cause of election is God's eternal LOVE for His people. He loved us freely, from everlasting, before ever the earth was made. Our love to Him is not the cause of His love toward us, but the result (Jer. 3 1:3; 1 JN 4:19).

 
6. God's election was an act of free, UNCONDITIONAL grace. Grace is always free and unconditional. The moment a condition is put on it, it ceases to be grace. To say that God chose us because of something He foresaw in us, or foresaw we would choose to do, is to frustrate the grace of God, making it the reward of our work (Rom II: 6).
 

7. Election is God's PERSONAL choice of specific sinners to eternal life in Christ. Here is a sweet cordial of grace which shall never cease to amaze and rejoice the hearts of believing sinners - The Lord God chose me to eternal salvation in Christ, because He loved me with an everlasting unconditional love!

 
8. Election is IRREVERSIBLE. "The gifts and calling of God are without repentance" (Rom 11:29). Those who were chosen to salvation in eternity shall not be unchosen in time!

 
9. Election is EFFECTUAL. There is no possibility that one of God's elect shall perish (2 Tim 2:19).

 
10. Election is DISTINGUISHING. To talk of universal love in God toward reprobate men is to talk nonsense. (Isa 45:14).

 
11. Election is BLESSED, for it is the cause of all blessedness (Psa 65:4; Eph 1:3-6).

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