Nick
Bibile
Part 3
When we hear the word election, our minds immediately turn to human freedom—the freedom to choose. In daily life, we are accustomed to making choices. But salvation is not governed by human choice; it is governed by God’s sovereign will. We do not choose God; rather, God chooses us according to His own pleasure. As Jesus said,
“You did not choose me, but I chose you.” (John 15:16)
When Jesus called His disciples, He did not preach a sermon and then ask, “Who wants to follow me? Raise your hand or step forward.” No. There were many fishermen, but He chose the ones He wanted. When He called them, they could not refuse, for God’s call is effectual. This demonstrates the sovereignty of God in election.
When humanity sinned, even the angels might have questioned whether saving any sinner could be consistent with God’s holiness, justice, and majesty. Yet God’s infinite wisdom and power made redemption possible. Through Christ, God could save the worst sinner—murderer, adulterer, blasphemer—without violating His attributes, showing that His choice in salvation is entirely His own.
“God is his own interpreter, and He will make it plain.” — John Flavel
Paul makes this clear in Romans 9:
“Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” (Rom. 9:13)
Calvinists and Arminians agree that God elects, but they differ on the basis. Arminians argue that God elects based on foreseen faith—that He looks into the future, sees who will be good, and then chooses them. But Scripture repeatedly shows that election is based on God’s sovereign choice, not on human merit.
“The children were not yet born, nor had done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose in election might stand, not by works but by Him who calls.” (Rom. 9:11)
Some modern teachers twist this passage, suggesting that God chose Jacob because He foresaw Jacob would be spiritual and Esau unspiritual. But read the story carefully: Esau was truthful and obedient, bringing genuine venison for his father Isaac. Jacob, on the other hand, deceived both his father and God’s command in pursuit of the blessing.
“Election is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God who shows mercy.” (Rom. 9:16)
Clearly, Jacob’s election was not based on merit, foresight, or goodness. God loved Jacob before he was born, apart from any works. Esau’s failure to receive the blessing was not due to God being unfair; rather, it was God’s sovereign prerogative to display His mercy according to His pleasure.
Jonathan Edwards explains,
“The will of God is called His mere pleasure… God can either bestow salvation on any of the children of men, or refuse it, without any prejudice to the glory of any of His attributes.”
Elisha Coles adds,
“The great God, blessed forever, hath absolute power and right dominion over His creatures, to dispose and determine of them as seemeth Him good.”
The Puritans echoed this truth:
“God’s election is a display of His glory, not a response to human merit; it is free, sovereign, and independent.” — Thomas Watson
Even Paul anticipated objections:
“Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to Him that formed it, ‘Why hast thou made me thus?’” (Rom. 9:20)
We humans are dust and clay, and God is infinitely wise. His purposes stand, and His mercy is not constrained by our understanding. As Isaiah 46:10 declares,
“My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.”
Election is God’s work alone, for His glory and for the undeserving. When sinners rebelled against an infinitely holy God, we deserved eternal punishment. Yet God, in His mercy, chose some for salvation—not because of anything in them, but solely according to His pleasure:
“Having
predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ…
according to the good pleasure of His will.” (Eph. 1:5)
“Having
made known unto us the mystery of His will… according to His good
pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself.” (Eph. 1:9)
This is unconditional election: God’s choice is entirely independent of human actions, worthiness, or merit. As Scripture shows repeatedly:
“And as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.” (Acts 13:48)
“Election is not of works, but of Him who calls. The glory belongs to God, and the mercy is His alone.” — John Owen
God’s mercy extends to the unworthy, His grace to the undeserving, and His election is an eternal display of His sovereign pleasure. Jacob, a deceiver and liar, was loved by God; Esau, sincere and obedient, was left. This is not injustice; it is the sovereign freedom of God in salvation.