In Christian theology, “election” refers to the divine decision by which God chooses certain individuals or groups for a particular purpose, most notably for salvation. The concept is deeply rooted in the Bible and spans both the Old and New Testaments. It illustrates God’s sovereign grace in redeeming fallen humanity and underscores the idea that salvation is initiated and completed by God, not based on human merit or actions.
The doctrine of election emphasizes that God’s choice is motivated by His love, mercy, and sovereign will. It asserts that from before the creation of the world, God has predestined those whom He would save to conform them to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. This teaching aims to highlight the gracious and unmerited nature of salvation, assuring believers of their secure relationship with God and motivating them to live in gratitude and obedience.
Scripturally, election is discussed in various passages such as Ephesians 1:4-5, where Paul writes that God “chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will.” This selection is seen as part of God’s larger redemptive plan, which ultimately glorifies Him and fulfills His purposes.
