Introduction
I have been on both sides of the election debate. I have studied and written extensively in support of each position. I know both sides very well. I understand why each side believes the way they do. I know all the arguments on both sides. I removed around 25 studies from this website in support of the Calvinist view. However, after all the dust has settled, after so many years of studying the doctrine of election, I believe the Calvinist position complicates more than it should. I don’t believe the doctrine of election was ever meant to be something mysterious or divides His people. I believe election was meant to encourage our hearts, as the redeemed of the Lord.
I believe the doctrine of election is to be understood as clearly as the doctrine of salvation is so clearly understood. I believe that because the two are directly connected. Election points directly to salvation. Therefore, I believe we must understand election in the same way.
Below I will give a very brief overview of how I now understand the doctrine of election. I plan to expand on this via a multitude of other studies over time. I know this overview will leave a lot of questions on the table, so I will attempt to answer those questions as time goes on. And to be clear, no matter what position we have on this doctrine, there’s always going to be questions. As I’ve considered election and the atonement of Christ over the years, I’ve come to the conclusion that the position I detail here is the most sensible, and the one that leaves us with fewer questions.
What is the Meaning of Election?
To understand the doctrine of election, I believe we must start with the primary passage on this doctrine:
(Ephesians 1:4 – CSB) – For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him.
There’s only one condition for salvation, and that’s faith. Therefore, there’s only two types of people in the world from God’s point of view: those who believe in His Son and those who don’t.
Accordingly, since election is directly associated with salvation, I believe we’re chosen on the same basis, which is faith. In other words, before the foundation of the world God chose anyone and everyone who believes in His Son (Eph 1:4). Thus, believers are the elect of God—chosen for salvation. Likewise, God didn’t choose anyone who doesn’t believe in His Son. Thus, unbelievers are the non-elect—not chosen for salvation.
Therefore, when someone believes in Christ as their Savior, God has already pre-determined to save them, because He chose anyone who believes to have salvation. I honestly believe it’s that simple.
This to me is the most sensible and the most biblical way of understanding the doctrine of election. In fact, I think it’s downright obvious. We complicate this doctrine way more than what it actually is. I believe the Apostle John confirms this:
(John 20:31 – BSB) – But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.
Like Ephesians 1:4, I believe the most obvious interpretation is the correct one. Every single person who reads this book about Jesus and what He did for us, has a legitimate opportunity to believe unto salvation.
The Atonement of Christ
(1 John 2:2 – BSB) – He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
First, there’s no such thing as unlimited atonement. Only universalists believe that everyone is going to get saved. That’s a heresy of a fringe group that has no biblical basis for their position whatsoever.
The atonement of Christ is limited. Meaning, it’s limited to those who believe. While salvation is available to everyone who hears, the blood of Christ is only applied to those who believe. That’s why Jesus said that He “lays His life down for His sheep” (Jn 10:11), because His death only benefits them. In other words, Jesus laid down His life for those who believe. The blood Jesus shed is sufficient to save everyone and is available for everyone, but the benefits of His atonement are meant to be applied only to those who believe in Him.
Likewise, Paul said that Christ “gave Himself up for” His Church (Eph 5:23,25), which is the corporate body of believers. The blood is only applied to those who place their faith in Him. The purpose of the atonement is fulfilled in anyone and everyone who believes. It’s in that way that not one drop of His blood was wasted.
Faith is Associated With Humility
(1 Peter 5:5 – BSB) — God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. (also James 4:6)
Even if this is addressed to Christians, it doesn’t matter, because it’s a general law of God that He gives grace to the humble, but is opposed to the proud—whether we’re talking about a believer or an unbeliever. We see that all over the Bible, especially in the OT. Likewise, this is also applicable to sinners when given the opportunity to respond to the gospel of Christ in faith. This is exactly what Jesus indicates in John 5:40:
(John 5:40 – CSB) – But you are not willing to come to me so that you may have life.
Jesus indicates that they could have received life if they were willing. A willingness to go to Jesus in faith requires a humble heart—the humility of faith. Faith is always associated with humility. A proud heart would never go to Jesus. That was the case with the Jews that Jesus was talking to.
Light is Conditional
(2 Corinthians 4:5-6 – BSB) – [5] For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. [6] For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
(As a cross reference read 1 John 5:20)
Everyone who is granted eyes to see and understand the truth about Christ and about what He did for us, will respond in faith. However, not everyone who hears the gospel of Christ understands to the same degree. Everyone who reads or hears the words of the gospel message, can understand it on an intellectual level. There will be either a positive response, or a negative reaction to what they hear. I believe that when God sees humility, when He sees a positive and willing response, He shines the light of “His glory” into their souls, opening their spiritual eyes to the truth. This light is so compelling that no one who experiences it can walk away in rejection of Christ. In other words, God gives more light to those who respond favorably to that initial light, while withholding additional light to those who react with disgust or total disinterest.
Think back on your own experience, how it was for you at the point of conversion. For me, I was saved by reading a gospel tract. While I was reading the salvation message, my response was nothing but positive throughout. I was completely drawn to it. I believed every word. I loved and wanted what I heard. There was no way I was walking away from Christ. That was God opening my eyes to the truth about Jesus and what He did for me, while bringing conviction of my sins and a sense of need for forgiveness. The truth about what Jesus did for me was so compelling that there was no way I was walking out of my room until I got down on my knees to embrace Him as my Lord and Savior.
I believe this is the way it works for those who come to faith in Christ. It may take longer for some people, who need more time to think through what they’ve been learning, but in time they will be firmly convinced of the truth and compelled to receive Christ. God knows the human heart, and gives people the time they need to process everything they’re hearing.
This passage (2 Cor 4:5-6) also reveals that He shines the light of truth about Himself, about who He is in His Divine nature. Thus, before conversion, if someone is taught that God exists as a Trinity – as Father, Son and Holy Spirit – they will believe it at the time they receive Christ as their Savior. If all they were taught was that Jesus was the Son of God, that’s all they need to believe at that time.
However, if someone is truly enlightened, truly born again, they will believe the teaching about the Triune God after conversion, because as Paul says in this passage, “For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Thus, no one who is truly born again can reject the teaching of the Trinity. Believing that God exists as a Triune God is evidence of salvation. To claim to be a Christian, yet reject the teaching of the Trinity, is evidence of not having salvation—because the “fruit of light” of the “Spirit of truth” (Eph 5:8-9; Jn 15:26) is a right understanding about who God is.
This passage (2 Cor 4:5-6) coincides with what Jesus said in John 6:45:
(John 6:45 – BSB) – It is written in the Prophets: ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from Him comes to Me.
Again we see that while salvation is available to everyone who hears the gospel message, not everyone is given the same amount of light. Only those who have the positive response of humility will be granted the necessary light required for salvation—in other words, those who have “heard and learned from the Father.” Not everyone who hears the gospel of Christ will “hear and learn from the Father.” Only those who have humble and willing hearts to receive the truth.
People believe or don’t believe based on the response of their hearts. If the gospel is objectionable to them, then they will not believe, neither will they be given more light. On the other hand, if the gospel is good news to their souls, which reflects a willing heart of humility, then they will be given the necessary light to understand and believe.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, this is what I believe about the doctrine of election. There are obviously a lot of passages and details that need to be discussed, but this gives the reader an uncomplicated understanding of what I believe to be an uncomplicated subject. Which is ironic, since it’s always considered to be a very complicated doctrine to understand. But as I indicated in the beginning, I don’t believe God ever intended this doctrine to be difficult to understand. Furthermore, I don’t believe He ever intended this to cause such severe division in the Church. We created this division ourselves by not looking at the obvious, or what should be obvious—that election is based on the very same thing salvation is, and that’s faith, since election and salvation are directly linked.
From this point forward, I will endeavor to deal with all the pertinent passages and questions that we all have about election.
