Category: Elect

We are called by God. We have been chosen for salvation. We are the elect. Ephesians 1 tells us this choosing took place before the world was founded.

We are creatures with free will. God calls us to believe and obey the gospel. “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16).

These two truths must be resolved for us to have a proper understanding of scripture. Paul does this in 2 Thessalonians. The explanation is a that we are predestined as a collective or a group, not individually. God chose those who responded positively to the gospel of Christ. Our free will allows us to determine whether we will be in that group or not. Also, it determines whether we will stay in that group once we begin our Christian walk. Consider Paul’s words:

“…God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

(2 Thessalonians 2:13b-3:1)

The chosen, the sanctified, the elect are those who believe the truth. They are called by the gospel of Jesus Christ. So we must ask, when the gospel calls will you listen and obey?

In 2 Thessalonians 2, Paul refers to an important and often misunderstood part of our experience as Christians, our being God’s “chosen” or “elect.” Paul wrote in the 13th and 14th verses, “But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Continue reading “Understanding Our Choosing” →

It is an interesting question: Was John referring to an actual lady in 2 John 1, or was he referring to the church to which he was writing? I’m not sure the question is answerable, but it does not matter to his expression of love.

The word elect simply means chosen. So, the one to whom he wrote was either a Christian, or represented Christians. The little children are either actually the woman’s personal children, or referenced individual Christians in that church.

Regardless, there was a tender promise John made to her regarding God. “Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth in love.” (3)

There was an admonition given to her that applies to us all. “And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning; that we love one another” (5).

There was a universal warning concerning false teaching, given to her. “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine [the doctrine of Christ], do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds” (10-11).

All these sentiments we too must heed!