So far, we've learned that we are all sinners in need of a Savior, and that God gives to us (His people) the repentance and faith we need, to believe in Jesus Christ for salvation.
In addition, we've seen that God elects or chooses His people for salvation, according to His good pleasure, not because of anything we might do.
The ultimate purpose of election to salvation is the glory of God.
Is God totally sovereign in regard to salvation, or is it up to each person to "decide" to "accept" Jesus as Savior? "Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God - children born NOT OF NATURAL DESCENT, NOR OF HUMAN DECISION, OR A HUSBAND'S WILL, BUT BORN OF GOD" (John 1:12-13).
Therefore, salvation is not our choice, will or decision. It is God's!
This passage also makes clear that only those who have RECEIVED Jesus and BELIEVED IN HIS NAME, are called "children of God." Remember that the next time you hear someone say, "well, we're all God's children." That's not true!
Why do some believe and others do not? Is it because some are more intelligent or quicker to discern their need for salvation? Romans 3:9-12 : "What shall we (saints) conclude then? Are we any better?
Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin."
"As it is written, 'There is no one righteous, not even one; there is NO ONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, NO ONE WHO SEEKS GOD. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; THERE IS NO ONE WHO DOES GOOD, NOT EVEN ONE.'"
Romans 8:6-8 : "The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, NOR CAN IT DO SO. Those controlled by the sinful nature CANNOT PLEASE GOD."
A.W. Pink, theologian and prolific author wrote, "It is God Himself who makes the difference between the elect and non-elect, for of His own it is written - 'We know also that the Son of God has come and HAS GIVEN US UNDERSTANDING, so that we may know him who is true'" (1 John 5:20).
God has given unbelievers over to the "sinful desires of their hearts" (Romans 1:24), and "shameful lusts" (Romans 1:26). "Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth" (Romans 2:2).
Peter tells us in 1 Peter 1:3-5 : "According to His great mercy, He has CAUSED US TO BE BORN AGAIN to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who BY GOD'S POWER are being guarded through faith FOR A SALVATION ready to be revealed in the last time."
In verse two of the same chapter, Peter informs us to whom he is writing this letter: "To those who are elect exiles ... according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ ..." .
Many hold to the traditional belief that God "foreknew" who would believe in Him, and as a result, God "chose" that person for salvation, for that reason. But whenever God's "foreknowledge" is mentioned in the Bible, it is referring to God's foreknowledge of someONE, not someTHING (although God certainly knows everything that will ever happen before it happens).
God's foreknowledge means that He has an intimate relationship with a person. John 10:14-15 : (Jesus said), "I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep." Jesus is speaking of His children (believers) here.
On the other hand, Jesus tells unbelievers, "I never knew you, depart from me you workers of lawlessness" (Matthew 7:23). Of course, Jesus "knows" who everyone is - He created them - but He doesn't have a close, intimate relationship with unbelievers. He has that only with believers.
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In part four we will look at the "fairness" of God's divine election.
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