Given disagreements among Christians concerning election, there is a tendency to avoid discussion of the topic. The difficulty of this doctrine calls us to approach the subject humbly and carefully as we submit our minds and hearts to Scripture. It is also helpful to understand the doctrine as it functions in Scripture.
First, election leads believers to praise the triune God for his sovereign grace in choosing and placing us in Christ, our new covenant head and mediator (Eph. 1:4–6, 12; 1 Thess. 1:4; 2 Thess. 2:13). From beginning to end, God graciously initiates and chooses to redeem a fallen and undeserving people, and election underscores this fact.
Second, election grounds our confidence and comfort as Christians (Rom. 8:28–39). Why can we be assured that nothing will separate us from God’s love in Christ Jesus? Part of the answer is that from eternity past, God the Father chose us in Christ, and by the work of the Son through the agency of the Spirit, we are assured that God’s sovereign determination will never fail.
Third, election encourages us to evangelize (2 Tim. 2:10). Contrary to some thinking, election strengthens us by guaranteeing that God’s chosen means of preaching the gospel will accomplish his planned end—the elect’s salvation.
Adapted from the ESV Systematic Theology Study Bible
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