UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION
UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION
Primitive Baptists believe that just as God had a covenant people which He chose out of the seed of Abraham, He also has a covenant people chosen in Christ Jesus. Unconditional election signifies that God chose a people in Christ and that choosing was not conditioned on any good which they would do. But, he determined their final condition based on what Jesus Christ would do for them. Let us study carefully some passages found in Ephesians chapter 1: "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world..."{Ephesians 1:4} The word chosen in the Greek- SGreek: 1586. eklegomai -is eklegomai. It is made up of two primary Greek words: (1) ek; -SGreek: 1537. ek -a primary preposition denoting origin (the point from where and when motion or action proceeds); from out of place, time or cause; literally or figuratively, direct or remote. (2) lego; -SGreek: 3004. lego -to lay forth, i.e. relate in words usually of systematic or set discourse. From these two Greek words we find the word chosen denotes that God from out of place, time, or cause did lay forth a systematic or set plan for our Salvation.Ephesians 1:4gives us a divine expression by God concerning our election, or choosing us to glory. If indeed this was from before the foundation of the world (and it was), then it could not be because of any good thing in us. But, being chosen in Christ, our Salvation is based upon His righteousness being substituted for our lack of righteousness.
There was also a purpose for this systematic, or set way: "that we should be holy and without blame before him in love." {Ephesians 1:4}b We could never stand before Him justified in our lost and ruined condition inherited from our first father, Adam. Being dead in the ruins of sin, we were unable to do anything. If we were to ever be made holy and without blame, the doing of it must be a condition met in Jesus Christ. Therefore, God unconditionally elected a people and gave them to Christ. He further determined that these same people would be holy and without blame before Him in love. Some people say election is not fair! But what if God had chosen to leave you in a condition of eternal separation? (This was God’s sovereign right). Would this be fair? That system which sets anyone in a state of righteousness is said to be by grace which is called unmerited favor.
Someone has asked the question, "What do you do with the passage found in2 Peter 1:10" This certainly merits our attention. "Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence..." If this were the end of the statement, without any qualifications, then it would seem that something must be done on our part to assure this election! But we find the writer did not end the passage upon these words. He added, "... for if you do these things, ye shall never fall." {2 Peter 1:11} "For so and entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." The phrase "... for if ye do these things..." refers to the former verses 5-7. {2 Peter 1:5-7} "Add to your faith..." We notice that faith is presupposed! "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it (faith) is the gift of God." {Ephesians 2:8} If we have faith already existing, we are born of God. By adding to this faith, we assure ourselves that we are chosen (elected) of God. Otherwise, grace would have ceased and works would be the means instead of the shed blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.
One more passage before leaving this subject. Paul wrote to the brethren at Thessalonica: "knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God." {1 Thessalonians 1:4} Again, we are pointed forward to find the qualification for this knowledge: "For our gospel came not unto you in word only, But also in power and the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance, as ye know what manner of men we among you for your sake. And ye became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: So that ye were ensamples (examples) to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia." {1 Thessalonians 1:5-7} These brethren were fulfilling that grand purpose stated inEphesians 1:4b "that we should be holy and without blame before him in love." Only this adding to faith and practicing a holy walk before men by example will assure us of our election. But let the word of God again stress the fact that when we find these things abounding in ourselves, we have already received the effects of election. This is called unconditional election. May God establish this in your heart and minds. Only this will give you joy and peace through Jesus Christ our Saviour.