| Election - article by Joel Hempel
No, this is not an article about the 2024 presidential election. That would be unnecessarily risky. Rather, this is an article about one of the most difficult-to-understand passages of Scripture. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who . . . chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons [and daughters] through Jesus Christ according to the purpose of his will (Ephesians 1:3-5; also see* below). The above passage and others like it are, as some of you know, about election – what’s called positive election, to be exact. It’s a hard doctrine to comprehend because God seemingly chooses – elects – some to be saved and others not to be saved. The doctrine of election seems to be in opposition to or at least in tension with Bible passages that clearly state God wants all people to be saved (John 3:16; 1 Timothy 2:3-4; 2 Peter 3:9; Philippians 2:9-11) and that God was in Christ reconciling the world (all people) unto himself (2 Corinthians 5:19). So, which is it? The key, I believe, to making sense of these verses is to trust that before Christ (BC), the All-Knowing God knew who would trust him and his promises. God knew after Christ (AD) who would not reject the Holy Spirit’s multiple attempts – through various means – to communicate the truth and love of God in Christ. So, before the world’s creation, God elected, chose, or adopted the individuals he knew would receive his grace and love. God rejects no one. Sadly, most people today exclude themselves from an abundant life with Christ and eternity in heaven because – for a variety of reasons – they can’t believe in Jesus, the crucified and risen Savior. But being mercifully elected to live with Christ in eternity is not something we brag about. Yes, like St Paul, we can boast about the love of God for us and all people. But having been chosen by the Creator himself, we are now predestined, as in expected to be conformed to the image of his Son, Christ Jesus (see Rom 8:29). That is, we are directed – and also empowered by God’s grace and his Spirit – to be now the way Jesus was then. And what might that look like? For starters, it looks impossible. Imagine, however, being able to love like Jesus, forgive like Jesus, proclaim and live the Word of God like Jesus! It sounds impossible. But through the help and counsel of the Holy Spirit, we can grow into the increasingly Christ-like form God has already predetermined for us. All of us who are blessed to be called Christian live with the awareness of what we are called to be, of our continual mismanagement of the privilege, and – thank God – we live in gratitude for God’s grace and forgiveness so we can keep working at it until we get it right in heaven. *Also see Ephesians 1:11; Romans 8:30; Matthew 11:27; John 6:44. | 
