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Election: The Choice of God

because election in Scripture never violates the human will. And never
in the Bible are people treated as unaccountable. Accountability can
only exist where there is free choice.

“For it is by grace you have been
saved, through faith—and this not
from yourselves, it is the gift of God— Election in Scripture
not by works, so that no one can never violates
boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9). According
to this text, we see that: (1) salvation the human will.
is totally the provision of God, (2) Accountability can
people receive God’s offer of salvation
through the exercise of faith, and (3) only exist where
God freely offers the gift of salvation, there is free choice.
but people must believe and act upon
(receive) this offer if it is to become
effective. There is no indication here
that the gift of God is irresistible and cannot be refused.

Election in the Bible

Sometimes people turn to one or two proof sources to back their
ideas or prejudices on a given subject. But if one is to be fair in his or
her efforts to understand a subject, one must gather all the available
evidence, evaluate all related facts, and only then come to a conclusion.
For example, a person might conclude on the basis of John 14:13–14 that
one might receive anything he or she asked for in Christ’s name. However,
as we examine this text more fully, we see that behind this same promise
in John 15:16 are the conditions of John 15:1–15. The evidence from this
second source is crucial because it provides the biblical basis for our
understanding of the nature of effective prayer. With these facts in mind,
let’s consider further evidence in the Bible that deals with election.

Let’s focus on three Scriptures in Deuteronomy that deal with election
Deuteronomy 7:6–9 shows God’s gracious love in choosing Israel to be
His “treasured possession.” Although the Israelites represented the
“fewest of all peoples” and needed to be delivered from slavery in Egypt,
God redeemed them. In doing so, He revealed incredible faithfulness
simply because He loved them and because of His promise to their

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