Elected and Saved!

1 Timothy 1:9

“[God] has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.”

In my last meditation I said one of the reasons that we can be comforted by the doctrine of election is that we know that we are elect, and our election is sure. We will be saved! These are two key concepts, and call for further explanation. How do we know we are elect, and how do we know we will be saved because of that?

It must be made clear before we go on that election is not based on anything in us. Those who are elected are not chosen based on some foreseen condition or faith. God did not elect us because He knew we would believe. He first chooses us, and then He works faith in us. First comes election, then faith. We find this order in Romans 8:30: “Whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.”

So God is the one who elects, and He does so with no merit of our own. We cannot seek merit for our election inside ourselves. That implies, then, that we cannot seek certainty of our election inside ourselves. However the Canons of Dort disagree:

“The elect in due time, though in various stages and in different measure, are made certain of this their eternal and unchangeable election to salvation. They attain this assurance, however, not by inquisitively prying into the hidden and deep things of God, but by observing in themselves, with spiritual joy and holy delight, the unfailing fruits of election pointed out in the Word of God—such as a true faith in Christ, a childlike fear of God, a godly sorrow for their sins, and a hunger and thirst for righteousness” (I. 12).

Even though God doesn’t give us a list with all the names of His elect recorded on it, we can know and rejoice that our names are written in heaven (Luke 10:20). We can see in ourselves the fruits of election and thus be sure of our selection among those who will receive eternal life.

We know that if we are elected then we will receive the Kingdom of Heaven. God has promised it. Jesus said, “This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day” (John 6:39). Election cannot be undone or redone. God is unchanging (Malachi 3:6; James 1:17), perfectly wise (Romans 16:27), and almighty (Genesis 17:1).

So now that we know we are elected, and thus know that we will be saved, how do we react? With humility, worship and thanksgiving. We cannot boast of our election, as it is not our doing. We have no merit for being elected, and it is entirely God’s work. Rather we should marvel at God’s grace and worship Him for it.

At the same time it is not right to be complacent and careless. Be diligent to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 3:12). We must be diligent in holiness and obedience. For God “will render to each one according to his deeds: eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality” (Romans 2:6-7).

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:57-58).