Romans 9:1-24
To elect means to select or choose. Scripture presents us with the teaching (or doctrine) of election, which means that God freely chooses to select or choose some people to a life of eternal joy and others to a life of eternal punishment. This teaching, which is found in this Scripture passage along with others (Eph. 1:3-14; 2 Thess. 2:13, 14; 2 Tim. 1:9) is hard to digest; yet, Scripture presents it to us as a source of comfort. While some people may not like its teaching, it is important to at least understand it.
There are three things that this doctrine teaches us. First, it teaches us that we are saved IN somebody. We are saved IN Christ (Rom. 3:39). This is fancy talk for meaning that we are not lone rangers. It is a group of people as the body of Christ– the church– that is saved in Christ. For this reason, we heed Scripture’s command to not neglect meeting as a group.
Second, it teaches us that we are saved FOR something. In 2 Peter 1:10, Peter tells us that we should be diligent to make our calling and election sure. We are diligent by continuing in good works. In other words, election is known by its fruits. There are some who think that this teaching encourages laziness. But this is a false understanding of the doctrine of election. It teaches us that we are saved for good works. Our good works indicate to us whether we are elect.
Third, it teaches us that we are saved BY grace. In verse 15, Paul tells us that God chooses to whom he gives mercy. It is mercy and grace– not our works– that save. Since these are undeserving, it is not unjust to give grace to some and not to others.
These three things help us to understand the doctrine of election, as presented to us in Scripture. Above all, it teaches us humility and praise. We are humble because it is God alone who saves; we give praise because He is deserving of it.
