How does God Choose who is saved?
Scripture clearly answers the question of who is chosen or elected by God.
1. God’s will.
It is important to define God’s will in this matter. God’s will is for all men to be saved, as the following scriptural references illustrate.
1Ti 2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
1Ti 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
Titus 2:11 states that the Grace of God has appeared to all men, and this is in accord with God wanting all men to be saved. God’s grace teaches us to abstain from ungodly behavior.
Tit 2:11 ¶ For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Tit 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
2. Man’s Choice.Humility before God is the foundational attribute of every Christian’s life.
Jas 4:6… Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
God draws or calls a man through the teaching of His grace, as the following verses illustrate.
Ga 1:15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace,
God chooses or elects to save people who cooperate with the instruction of His Grace, and deny ungodliness.
Ro 11:5 (RSV) So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace.
God’s Grace has appeared to all men, but not all men choose to humble themselves before God and cooperate with His Grace.
3. Man can be drawn by God or by His own lust.
Jesus Christ said in John 6:44 – No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 6:45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.
Each individual must decide whether they will hear, learn and obey God or not, as Matthew 13:15 illustrates.
Jas 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
It is clear that this is not an automatic condition but must be attained or accomplished by the individual believer as the following verse illustrates.
4. Not accomplished without effort!
2Pe 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
Summary – A person is drawn by God through perceiving God’s Grace. An individual chooses to become one of God’s elect based upon their decision to cooperate with God’s Grace and deny ungodly behavior. The chosen or elect are those who obey God.