So, if election is all about God extending grace to us and offering us salvation, election is a failure, right? Not everyone is saved. This devotion looks at why that is not the case.
Nuggets
- God is a planner, having planned for salvation.
- But God knows not everyone is going to accept the gift of salvation.
- Paul isn’t talking about election to salvation here; he’s talking about who is going to lead the new church.
- God usually chooses leaders who believe in Him.
Devotions in the What I Believe series
Devotions in The Purpose of Grace category
Is Election Really Mercy?
Wrapping Up Election
My Ladies and I have said many times in our Sunday Morning Bible Study that we wish Paul would just speak English. He is so hard to understand at times.
To me, this is one of those passages.
Paul is still talking about election in the ninth chapter of Romans. God chose/elected to bring His plan of salvation to His people, but not all of us accept His gift.
Does that mean election fails? Let’s see what else he has to say.
Let's Put It into Context
We are looking at election and predestination through the lens of grace. Grace is a free and unmerited gift from Heavenly Father given through His Son, Jesus Christ that enables salvation and spiritual healing to believers. The purpose of the gift of grace is to restore God’s relationships with man and eliminate sin.
The Holman Bible Dictionary defines election as “God’s plan to bring salvation to His people and His world.” Predestination is defined by the Holman Bible Dictionary as “God’s work in ordaining salvation for people without their prior knowledge.”
Did Election Fail?
“Now it is not as though the word of God has failed, because not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. Neither is it the case that all of Abraham’s children are his descendants. On the contrary, your offspring will be traced through Isaac” (Rom. 9: 6-7 CSB)
God is a planner. “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jer. 29: 11 NIV). I mean, look how long He had the plan of salvation before He put it into motion.
God planned for our salvation. Salvation is the deliverance from the consequences of sin. It is a three-part process.
We are changed from spiritually dead to spiritually alive upon conversion.
We work out our salvation on the sanctification road.
One day, sin will be eliminated when we reach our heavenly home.
But God knows not everyone is going to accept the gift of salvation. That is what Paul means when he wrote “Now it is not as though the word of God has failed, because not all who are descended from Israel are Israel” (Rom. 9: 6 CSB).
Does that mean failure?
The Covenant
“The LORD had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you’” (Gen. 12: 1-3 NIV)
You see, the Jews put a lot of stock in being descendants of Abraham. That was with whom the covenant that made them God’s people was established (Gen. 12: 1-3; 13: 14-17; 15: 1-21; 17: 1-27; 18: 9-15).
In a way, they were justified in being proud of the covenant. Morison reminded us that “the apostle lays down a far-reaching principle. God had an ideal in view when He made choice of Israel to be His peculiar people. He had grand aims for future ages — aims that are yet to be realised (sic) in all peoples (Genesis 12:3, etc.).”
Translation (at least, my opinion) — God wanted us to be perfect. “But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect” (Mt. 5: 48 NLT). That is how He made Adam and Eve. But they messed that up. So far, no one but Jesus has achieved perfection while here on earth.
Back to the covenant. The problem was that the Israelites focused on the covenant. It seems to me that — every once in a while — the Israelites felt that the covenant gave them a pass. (Ooo, baby. That sounds familiar.)
It didn’t. In fact, the old covenant — and the old laws — could not save them — or us.
So, yes. They were God’s chosen people, but there was still this sin issue.
That did not mean their election failed.
It meant that was only Step One of the plan. God always intended to send Jesus to be our Savior and Redeemer.
Here on Out
“That is, it is not the children by physical descent who are God’s children, but the children of the promise are considered to be the offspring” (Rom. 9: 8 CSB)
But Lockyer wrote that Paul isn’t talking about election to salvation here. (I know. Talk about an unexpected gear switch.) Paul is talking about who is going to lead the new church.
The Jews as a whole did not accept Jesus as Messiah. Instead, they had a mock trial and crucified Him on a cross.
To read a related devotion, click the appropriate button below.
These were not who God wanted as leadership of His kingdom expansion.
Who does God choose as leaders? He usually chooses those who believe in Him.
God chooses Tom, Sally, and Elaine. Oh, yes. Sometimes we scratch and heads and wonder what God is thinking — especially with that Elaine Chick.
But look at what Martin said. “You Christians are God’s workmanship, but at the same time you are causes. Oh, do not underrate your influence as Christians. You can scarcely rise to a correct estimate of it, so immense is it.”
When we are doing the work that God has called us to, we are exactly where He wants us to be. He is in control, not us. We are supposed to write or talk or love or minister to whomever He is convicting.
No, not everyone is going to accept God’s gift of salvation. They are rejecting Him, not us (I Sam. 8: 7).
True Believers
“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace!” (Eph. 2: 4-5 CSB)
God is looking for those who will admit their sins, believe in Jesus as their Savior and Redeemer, and confess Him as Sovereign Lord. He is looking for those who will demonstrate that conversion by submitting their lives to following His laws and commandments.
The ABCDs of Salvation
If you have not become a believer in Christ, please read through the
Plan of Salvation and prayerfully consider what God is asking you to do.
A – admit our sins
B – believe His Son Jesus is our Redeemer
C – confess God as Sovereign Lord
D – demonstrate that commitment by making any changes needed in our lives to
live the way in which God has called us
The Disciple’s Job Description
Those are the true children of God. Those are who He will use to expand His kingdom.
Our Individual Lives
I’ve said many times that God’s priority for our lives does not focus on this physical life. His priority is not who our soul mate is; what job, car, or home we have; or even the condition of our health and finances. His priority is whether we are spiritually alive or spiritually dead.
I hope I haven’t given the impression that God has no say in our lives here. Lyth reminded me that “He has the indisputable right to determine the conditions of individual life.”
Making the Connections
Election means that, through His grace, God is going to offer us the gift of salvation. The purpose of salvation is to make us Holy and righteous.
That doesn’t mean we are automatically saved. We have to ABCD.
Because we choose not to accept the gift does not mean election failed. God still convicts everyone. Yes, He knows who will accept and who will reject.
God still offers anyway.
When we accept, God will use us to further His kingdom. He uses the broken to show His love.
Morison made an excellent observation. Those that reject God’s gift of salvation are also rejecting His promises. God is no longer bound to fulfill His promises to them.
Making the Connections to Self-Discipline
Since we are talking how God will use us to further His kingdom, we will have to prepare ourselves to perform the tasks He has for us. For example, I had to learn techie stuff. We have to discipline ourselves to accomplish what is needed.
We’ve been asking these questions all along so we can prepare for when we are asked. Here is the worksheet again. What would you say about election?
- What does the Scriptures say?
- What do I believe?
- Why do I believe the same/differently than the Scriptures?
- What are the talking points when witnessing to a non-believer?
Related Links
I have created a worksheet of the questions above. Click on the button below to access it.
How Do We Apply This?
We apply this by accepting God’s gift of salvation. We be what God has called us to be.
God will always do what He says He will do. He says everyone will be offered the gift of salvation. He does that, meaning election does not fail.
Loving Father. We are humbled that You designed the plan of salvation knowing that we would disobey You. Jesus became the Sacrifice so that we could again call You Father. You knew even when You designed the plan that there would be those who would reject Your gift. Still, You offer them the gift of salvation anyway. That is how much You love us. Amen.
What do you think?
Leave me a comment below (about this or anything else) or head over to my Facebook group for some interactive discussion.
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