The term “elect” has its roots in the Bible and is a significant concept in theological studies. In the Old Testament, the word ‘elect’ appears more than 41 times, mostly in the Hebrew Bible. It has often been used to refer to God’s chosen people.
The Bible also uses it in several contexts. In the New Testament, the word “elect” is used to refer to Christians who are chosen by God to be part of his Kingdom. Likewise, it is used to describe people who have been saved by God’s grace.
In the Bible, “elect” is not just used in relationship to God’s chosen people. Rather, it is intended to refer to all those who have accepted God’s will and have committed themselves to living according to His word. The Bible also uses the term to describe individuals and nations that have chosen to do God’s will.
The concept of the elect is often linked to the sovereignty of God over his people and his chosen nation. In the Old Testament, the elect refers to the people of Israel, who are God’s chosen ones. They are the ones who will receive his blessings and inherit the Promised Land.
In the New Testament, the elect is used to refer to believers, those who have put their faith in Jesus and have committed themselves to living in obedience to his word. This is why they are given the promise of eternal life. As part of their faith, they are instructed to live a life of holiness and righteousness, which includes being mindful of what the Bible commands.
It is clear that the Bible gives significant importance to the concept of the elect. It speaks to believers about our place in the world as God’s chosen and emphasizes that it is our responsibility to live according to his teachings and to be a witness for him. Ultimately, the elect is God’s gift to us and it is our duty to take full advantage of it.
Elect in the Old Testament
In the Old Testament, the concept of the elect is closely associated with the chosen nation of Israel who, through God’s special relationship with them, were promised unique blessings and benefits. In the Old Testament, the Lord promised to make Israel a special people, one that would be different from all the other nations on earth.
Deuteronomy 7:6 states, “For you are a holy people to the Lord Your God; the Lord Your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the Earth.” In other words, the Lord specifically chose the children of Israel to be his own nation. This selection was based on a special covenant relationship established between God and Israel. Through this relationship, Israel was set apart from other nations and was given special blessings, such as the land promised to them.
In addition to the core of the chosen nation, there are additional glimpses of the concept of being ‘elect’ in the Old Testament. God speaks of a remnant of the elect within the nation of Israel, and he also uses the elect to refer to nations such as Assyria and Babylon. The chosen people are also a source of strength and hope for those who do not belong to the nation of Israel. In the book of Isaiah, the prophet speaks of God’s plan to save His elect from the nations.
The concept of election conveys the idea that God has special purposes in mind for those He has chosen and that He will fulfill His promises to them. It provides hope to those who are downtrodden and encourages them to be faithful to the Lord.
The Elect in the New Testament
In the New Testament, the concept of the elect is primarily applied to believers in Jesus Christ. Through their faith in him, they are chosen to be part of his Kingdom. This election is based on the fact that they have accepted God’s grace and put their trust in him; they have committed themselves to living according to his word.
In the New Testament, there are a number of passages that speak about the elect and their relationship to God. In Romans 8:29-30, Paul says, “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.” Here, Paul is expressing the idea that while all are sinners, God has predestined and called a special group to be conformed to His image.
In Matthew 24:22, Jesus speaks of those who will be saved, saying, “And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.” Here, Jesus is referring to the elect as those who will be saved. This is a reminder that the elect are chosen not because of their worthiness but because of God’s grace.
The concept of election is important in our understanding of the New Testament. It underscores the fact that believers are chosen by God through his grace and as part of his plan for salvation. This is an important reminder that our salvation is not something we achieve, but a gift from God that we are privileged to receive.
The Purposes of Election
The Bible speaks about the purpose of election in various ways. In the Old Testament, it is associated with a special covenant relationship God has with his people, and it emphasizes the special blessings and promises given to the chosen people. In the New Testament, the elect are called to be a witness for God and to point others to His glory.
The concept of election also serves to remind us that our relationship with God is not based on our works or merit, but on God’s grace. In Ephesians 2:8-10, it speaks to us about being saved by grace, saying, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
The concept of the elect, then, underscores the importance of responding to God’s call and committing ourselves to live in obedience to his Word. It is a reminder of God’s power to keep his promises and of His commitment to bring those He has chosen safely into His kingdom.
In addition, the concept of the elect is meant to be an encouragement to those who are downtrodden and oppressed. The Bible speaks of the Lord as the deliverer of the poor and downtrodden; that is, those who have been chosen by Him. This comfort and assurance is a reminder that, despite the difficulties and setbacks we may face in life, God has a distinct purpose for each of us and He promises to lead and protect us until we reach our destination.
Not a Select Few
It is important to remember that the concept of election does not restrict God’s grace to a select few; it is open to every person who puts their trust in Him. In John 3:16, we are told, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” This verse is a reminder that the election is not based on works or merits, but solely on faith in the Lord.
Those who belong to Christ have been chosen by Him to partake in His blessings and receive the promise of eternal life. As believers, we are therefore called to respond with faithfulness and obedience, so that we may be in right relationship with God. This includes living in accordance with His commands and bearing witness of His grace.
Moreover, election should not be seen as an elite status that only the few privileged are entitled to receive. Election is rather a gift from the Lord and is available to those who put their trust in Him. The Lord has chosen each of us for a purpose and has given us a special place in His Kingdom. Through the election, we are reminded that He is the source of all blessings and that He will make all things new.
Election in our Lives
The concept of the elect should encourage us to seek after the Lord and His righteousness. It should remind us that we have been chosen by God according to His purposes and that we must live our lives in accordance with His will. As believers, it is our duty to live a life of faithfulness and obedience and bear witness to the world of God’s grace.
The elect also serves as an important reminder that God is sovereign and that He is capable of fulfilling His promises. As part of the elect, we should take heart in the fact that the Lord is always faithful and His promises are sure. No matter how difficult our circumstances may be, we can rest assured that God will never leave us nor forsake us. He is the Potter, and we are His clay.
Finally, the concept of election serves to remind us that, as believers, we are part of something greater than ourselves. We have been chosen by God to partake in His kingdom, to be conformed to His image, and to be ambassadors of His grace. The elect should be a source of hope, strength, and courage, pointing us to the blessed hope that awaits us at the end.
The Elect in the Christian Community
The concept of the elect is an important aspect of the Christian faith and provides us with an important reminder of God’s will for us and His call to holiness and righteousness. The elect should be seen as a reminder of our place in the world as believers and a source of strength and comfort in difficult times.
Within the Christian community, the concept of the elect can also serve to draw us together as a family and to remind us of our place in the body of Christ. We can be encouraged that we have been chosen, regardless of our circumstances, and that we have been given a special role in the kingdom. This should embolden us to be agents of hope and grace to the world.
Moreover, the idea of being part of the elect should inspire us to serve the Lord faithfully and to live in obedience to His commands. As believers, we are set apart and are to be ambassadors of His grace. We can also find strength and comfort in the fact that the Lord is faithful and will fulfill his promises.
Conclusion
The concept of the elect is an important theme in the Bible, pointing to our call as believers to be faithful and obedient to the Lord. It is a reminder that our salvation is a gift from God, one that is not based on our works but on His grace. Moreover, it emphasizes God’s commitment to bring those He has chosen safely into His kingdom and His faithfulness to fulfill His promises.
No matter the difficulties we may face in life, we can rest assured that God has chosen us according to his purposes. We are part of an election of grace and are called to respond with
