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 primary arguments on both sides. However, after all the dust has settled, after so many years of studying the doctrine of election, I think we complicate this doctrine more than it is. I don’t believe the doctrine of election was ever meant to be something mysterious or divides God’s people. Election was meant to encourage our hearts, not to create conflict. Therefore, I removed around 25 studies from this website in support of the Calvinist view.
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 in future studies. However, it’s important to realize that 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 briefly detail here is the most sensible and the least biased.
What is the Meaning of Election?
I’m convinced that the doctrine election is to be understood as clearly as the doctrine of salvation is so clearly understood. That’s because the two are directly connected. It’s faith that connects them. Election points directly to salvation, which is via faith. Therefore, we must understand election the same way, which is via faith.
With that brief statement about how election and salvation are connected, I think the most appropriate place to start this discussion is Ephesians 1:4:
(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.
First, we must realize that election is the election of God’s people as a whole. It’s a class of people that God chose, just as God chose the people of Israel, beginning with the choosing of Abraham, who is a type of Christ. When God chose Abraham, it was with the corporate or collective people of Israel who were in view and who would come through his line.
Likewise, when the Father chose His Son to be our Savior (Lu 9:35) and Head of His Church, it was with His redeemed people in view. We as the corporate people of Christ were chosen in Him. There’s much more detail I need to add to this, but I’ll save that for a future time.
On a personal level, there’s only one condition for salvation, and that’s faith, which requires humility. The two are so intertwined, they can’t be separated. Humility is the basis of faith. We’ll talk more about the role of humility later.
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, those who belong to Him and those who don’t. Those who believe, are the elect of God. Those who don’t believe, are the non-elect.
Accordingly, since election is directly associated with salvation, we have to be chosen on the same basis, which is via faith. Before the foundation of the world God chose anyone and everyone who believes in His Son (Eph 1:4). Thus, those who place their faith in Christ are the elect of God—chosen for salvation. Likewise, God didn’t choose anyone who does not place faith in Christ. Accordingly, 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 the ones He has chosen for salvation are those who believe in His Son.
Election really is 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 becomes obvious when we think it through without a positional bias. We complicate this doctrine way more than what it actually is.
The Apostle John confirms this position:
(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.
The most obvious interpretation is the correct one. Every single person who reads or hears this book read to them, has a legitimate opportunity to believe and receive salvation in Christ. If this were not true, then this promise is a lie. But we know it’s not possible for God to lie.
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 who have no biblical basis whatsoever for their position.
The atonement of Christ is limited. Meaning, it’s limited to those who believe. While salvation is available to everyone who hears the gospel, the blood of Christ is only applied to those who believe, because it was only intended for those who believe. The blood Jesus shed is sufficient to save everyone and is available to everyone who hears the gospel message, but the benefits of His atonement are meant to be applied only to those who believe in Him as their Lord and Savior.
Likewise, election (becoming one of God’s elect) is only applied to those who believe in Christ as their Lord and Savior.
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 were already believers at that time (and who already died), as well as for those who would believe in Him after the cross. As for those who would believe after the cross, Christ’s sheep are those who “hear” His voice and respond with a humble and willing heart of faith (Jn 10:26-27; Ro 10:8-10l Ja 4:6; 1 Pe 5:5). The blood of Christ is only applied to them. Nothing describes sheep better than humility. They are not like the lion, who is characterized by the boldness of pride, self-sufficiency and fearlessness. Sheep are the total opposite of that. They are meek creatures and completely reliant on their shepherd.
In the same way, Paul said that Christ “gave Himself up for His Church” (Eph 5:23,25), which is the corporate body of believers. The blood of Christ is applied to the individual members of His Church—those who have placed their faith in the Lord Jesus. 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, which is a common accusation of Calvinists. Again, Christ’s blood was not meant for those who reject Christ in unbelief.
Therefore, it can be rightly understood that Jesus shed His blood and died for those who believe the gospel message and place their faith in Christ. But don’t misunderstand, salvation is available to everyone who hears the Good News. It’s good news for everyone who hears it.
Faith is Associated With Humility
Faith is the condition for salvation, but Faith itself is Conditional.
As already indicated, humility is the condition for faith. God only grants grace to the humble of heart:
(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 this all through the Bible, especially in the OT. Likewise, this is also applicable to sinners when given the opportunity to hear the gospel of Christ. A person will either react in prideful unbelief and rejection, or respond in humility and faith—or rather, the humility of 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.
At that time Jesus was talking to those who didn’t believe in the God of Israel (YHWH, Yahweh), regardless of what they claimed. Therefore, since they didn’t believe in Jesus’ Father, they wouldn’t believe in Jesus either. Jesus indicates that they could have received life if they were willing. However, they were not willing to believe in the Father or His Son. It simply wasn’t in their hearts. A willingness to go to Jesus in faith requires a humble heart—the humility of faith. Faith is always associated with humility. The two can’t be separated. One requires the other.
Therefore, while salvation is conditional, which is met via faith in Christ, faith itself is also conditional. The condition is HUMILITY. A person with a prideful heart would never go to Jesus. That was the case with the Jews Jesus was talking to. God honors humility above all things, because all that requires of us involves humility. Therefore, this is true of sinners in regard to salvation. This is confirmed by a multitude of OT passages. Here are a few of them:
(Psalm 149:4 – CSB) – For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation.
(Psalm 25:8-9 – BSB) — [8] Good and upright is the LORD; therefore He shows sinners the way. [9] He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way.
(Isaiah 66:2 – NIV) – These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.
(Psalm 138:6 – CSB) — Though the LORD is exalted, he takes note of the humble; but he knows the haughty from a distance.
(Isaiah 57:15 – BSB) – For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed and humble in spirit, to restore the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the contrite.
(Proverbs 3:34 – BSB) – He mocks the mockers, but gives grace to the humble.
(1 Peter 5:5 – BSB) – God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
(Zephaniah 2:3 – BSB) – Seek the LORD, all you humble of the earth who carry out His justice. Seek righteousness; seek humility. Perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD’s anger.
So we see that while “the elect” are those who place their faith in Christ, election goes deeper than that. In order to understand election, we must go below the surface of faith and consider what it is that produces faith. It’s HUMILITY. Faith is only found in the heart of humility.
As we consider the value that God places on humility, as we consider everything that is written about it throughout the Old and New Testaments, how can we not be led to the conclusion that those whom God elected in His Son “before the foundation of the world” (Eph 1:4) are those who have a genuine humble heart before God, who are fully open and receptive to the gospel of Christ. Those are the ones whom God looks upon with favor, because when He does, He sees faith, the humility of faith. Faith and humility are one.
Light Is Also Conditional
(2 Corinthians 4:4-6 – BSB) – [4] The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. [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.
All of us are “unbelievers” before we come to faith in Christ. We are all “blind” to the truth before God intervenes in our lives. God intervenes in the hearts of those who humble themselves before Him, who are open to the truth about Christ and what He did for us. It’s the humble who are granted eyes to see and understand the gospel of Christ. All who respond to the gospel in humility, will respond in faith (Jn 5:45).
To be more clear about this, not everyone who hears the gospel of Christ understands to the same degree. Everyone who hears (or reads) the words of the gospel message, can understand it on an intellectual level. The hearing of the gospel is the initial light that everyone is granted. There will be either a positive response or a negative reaction to what they hear. When God sees humility, when He sees a positive and willing response, He shines the light of “His glory” into their souls, fully opening their spiritual eyes to the truth. This light is so bright that it completely drowns out the darkness that would prevent them from believing (Acts 26:13). No one who experiences “the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ,” can walk away in rejection of Him. They are forever changed.
Note: In verses 5 & 6, Paul may have had himself and the other apostles primarily in view, but it applies equally to everyone else who need their eyes open to the truth.
The sufficiency of Scripture: We see that the gospel message itself is the initial light that everyone hears or reads. Thus, when the light of Scripture is received in humility, more light is granted (Matt 13:12; Matt 25:29; Mk 4:25; Lu 8:18; Lu 19:26; Lu 11:34-36). God gives additional light to those who respond favorably to the initial light given to them, while withholding additional light to those who react with disdain or total disinterest. Everyone is accountable to respond favorably to the initial light that God grants. God’s Word is sufficient to lead anyone to Christ, for it is empowered by the author of the Holy Scriptures, who is of course, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth.
(We’ll talk more about the sufficiency of Scripture later)
Think back on your own salvation 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 shining His light and opening my eyes to the truth about Jesus and what He did for me. That was God confirming the truth of the message to my heart, while bringing conviction of my sins and a sense of need for forgiveness for those sins. The light of 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.
It may take longer for some people to process the gospel of Christ—and the Christian faith in general. While the humble may need more time to think through what they’ve been learning about Jesus and what He did for us, 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 learning.
The Triune nature of God: 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. Before conversion, if someone is taught that God exists eternally as a Trinity – as Father, Son and Holy Spirit – they will believe it at the time of conversion when they receive Christ as their Savior, because God will reveal that to them within their hearts. However, if all a person is taught is that Jesus is the Son of God, that’s all they need to believe at that time (1 Jn 5:11-13).
However, after conversion, if someone is truly enlightened, truly born-again, they will believe the teaching about the Trinity of God, 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.”
Also 1 Jn 5:20:
(1 John 5:20 – BSB) – And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true—in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
Accordingly, 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 this teaching, is evidence of not having salvation—because the “fruit of light” that proceeds from the “Spirit of truth” (Eph 5:8-9; Jn 15:26) is having a correct understanding about who God is. God doesn’t reveal Himself in different ways to different people. He only reveals Himself as He really is.
Note: I encourage you to read the studies I have on the Trinity.
In summary, we see that while salvation is available to everyone who hears the gospel message, not everyone is given the same amount of light. The gospel message itself is light, which would be the equivalent of the “the lesser light to rule over the night” (Ge 1:16) of spiritual darkness. The salvation message is just enough light to obtain a response from a person’s heart—from everyone who hears the gospel. Only those who have a humble and willing response to that initial light will be granted more light along the way to salvation. The “more light” is God making His Word shine brighter and brighter in the humble hearts of those who hear, confirming the truthfulness of the message. This will often mean more and more intake of Scripture. The amount of light needed will vary from person to person. God knows the heart of each person and will give them whatever light they need. When light is received, God further illuminates His Word to their hearts. When it’s rejected, the light will become dimmer and dimmer for them. The more they resist, the darker it gets for them. Their heart becomes harder and harder against the truth.
People believe or don’t believe based on how the initial light of the gospel affects their hearts. If the gospel is objectionable to them, then they will not believe, neither will they be given more light. God leaves them in darkness, according to the will of their own prideful and rebellious hearts. For them, the “veil” of darkness remains over “their hearts” (2 Cor 3:15–16,18; 2 Cor 4:3-4). If they reject the message, it’s because it doesn’t appeal to them. They have no use for it. They have other interests, and Jesus would just cramp their style. They love their sin. They want to rule their own lives. On the other hand, if the light of the gospel of Christ is good news to their souls, if it touches them on a deep level, such a response reflects a receptive heart of humility. Accordingly, they will be given all the light they need to understand and believe (2 Cor 4:6). God will continue to draw them.
Confirmation that the receiving of light leads to more light, and that the rejection of light results in the denial of more light, is provided by the Lord Jesus Himself:
(Luke 8:18 – BSB) – Pay attention, therefore, to how you listen. Whoever has will be given more, but whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him.”
(Also Matthew 13:11-12)
That’s the way God has designed His Word. The more a person resists the truth and disbelieves, the more hardened they become to the gospel message. On the other hand, those who hear the truth with a humble and open heart, the more tender their heart becomes. Like begets like.
Sufficiency of the Scriptures
I will not go into much detail here. I will save that for the series of studies that will follow this overview. But for now, I want to draw your attention to three passages. Note everything I have underlined and in bold:
(2 Timothy 3:15-16 – BSB) – [15] From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. [16] All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
Paul makes it really clear here that the “Holy Scriptures” are sufficient “to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”
(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.
I mentioned this one before, but it’s so important that it needs to be emphasized. It’s so illuminating that any reasonable thinking person can understand what John is telling the reader. ANYONE reading this gospel (the Gospel of John) has the opportunity to believe in Christ and receive “life in His name.” John makes it clear that God’s written Word (Gospel of John) has the power to bring anyone to faith in Christ, which as we’ve learned, requires a humble heart. ANYONE can respond to the gospel of Christ in the humility of faith.
Want to know what the Bible teaches about the doctrine of election and who salvation is intended for? This verse answers both questions.
(Romans 1:16-17 – BSB) – [16] I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Greek. [17] For the gospel reveals the righteousness of God that comes by faith from start to finish, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
Here Paul reveals that the gospel itself is “the power of God” for “salvation.” The gospel itself “reveals” the “righteousness of God that comes by faith.” God Himself gives the gospel message its power to save anyone who hears or reads it.
When we consider all three of these passages, it’s irrefutably clear that the gospel of Christ (the Scriptures) is indiscriminate. The salvation message is not some secret code to be understood only by a special class of people. Nowhere do we see that. The plain reading of these passages lead us to that unmistakable conclusion. The gospel was intended to be understood and believed by anyone and everyone who hears it. The only thing that stands in the way of that, is a person’s own prideful and rebellious heart.
Faith is God’s Grace Apart From Works
Calvinist theology teaches that faith is a gift that God grants as part of the drawing process of regeneration for those who were chosen for it. This is based on verses like this one:
(Ephesians 2:8-9 – BSB) — [8] For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, [9] not by works, so that no one can boast.
Calvinists believe that God’s “grace” and the “the gift of God” includes the required “faith.” However, that’s not actually what Paul taught. He defines God’s grace as faith apart from the works of the law:
(Romans 3:24-28 – BSB) – [24] and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. [25] God presented Him as the atoning sacrifice through faith in His blood, in order to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand. [26] He did this to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and to justify the one who has faith in Jesus. [27] Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of works? No, but on that of faith. [28] For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the law.
Paul tells us as plainly as he could possibly say it, that “God’s grace” is literally “faith apart from works of the law.” Furthermore, he tells us that faith does not give a person reason to “boast.” He tells us that faith “excludes boasting!” Let that sink in.
All through Paul’s writings we see that the issue is between the works of the law vs. God’s grace via faith. Over and over he tells us that we’re saved by God’s grace via faith instead of by doing works of the law. The Jews were taught that obedience to the law was central in their belief system. Paul needed to correct that misunderstanding. We see that especially in the books of Romans and Galatians.
Paul leaves no doubt that faith is something that is opposed to works of the law, not opposed to God’s grace. Additionally, He tells us where faith comes from, that “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17 – BSB). It’s via the hearing of “the word of Christ” that a person is able to believe in Him. It’s through the verbal or written message about Christ that we learn what He did for us in providing for our salvation. Thus, in order for a person to place their faith in Him as their Lord and Savior, they must first hear the gospel of Christ. God uses His Word to stir our hearts with the light of truth that He shines in our hearts, which always results in faith in the hearts of the humble.
This of course is all a work of the Holy Spirit within a sinner’s heart to bring about conviction of sins, the need for forgiveness, as well as the truthfulness of the gospel message. This is Christ drawing sinners (Jn 12:32) who respond favorably to His message. No one who is granted the necessary light and awareness of the truth, walks away in unbelief. No one who sees His light and understands His truth, who become fully aware of their sins and its consequences, can ever be the same.
God most certainly uses this whole process to affect our hearts, without the need for regeneration first, as Calvinists believe. The truth and light of Christ is so compelling to those who are willing to receive it, that it can only result in faith. True knowledge and true understanding about Christ and what He did for us, can never leave a person in a state of rejection (Jn 6:45). This kind of “hearing and learning” has the idea of being totally persuaded and humbled.
Light and truth received is more light and truth that God grants until a sinner reaches the point where they receive Christ as their Savior. Those who reject the initial light about Christ, are the ones who walk away in unbelief. Jesus knows the human heart, and He knows when to stop drawing them.
Conclusion
The conclusion is, that election and the atonement of Christ is CONDITIONAL. We see a harmony between the sovereignty of God and the individual freedom and responsibility of the sinner to receive the message and welcome Christ as their Lord and Savior. Everyone is responsible for their own heart and their own response to the gospel. Those who reject Christ, do so out of a heart of rebellious pride.
There’s obviously a vast number of passages and details that need to be discussed, but this gives the reader a reasonably short and uncomplicated explanation of a subject that’s not nearly as complicated as we generally think it is.
Conditional Sovereign Election answers all the verses and passages that are related to this subject—as I will demonstrate in later studies. The Calvinist position cannot do that.
