Election of Grace

The Scripture speaks (1) of the election of individuals to "office or to honour and privilege, e.g., Abraham, Jacob, Saul," "David, Solomon, were all chosen by God for the positions they" held; so also were the apostles. (2) There is also an election "of nations to special privileges, e.g., the Hebrews (Deut. 7:6;" Rom. 9:4). (3) But in addition there is an election of individuals to eternal life (2 Thess. 2:13; Eph. 1:4; 1 Pet. 1:2; John 13:18). "The ground of this election to salvation is the good pleasure of "God (Eph. 1:5, 11; Matt. 11:25, 26; John 15:16, 19). God claims" "the right so to do (Rom. 9:16, 21)." "It is not conditioned on faith or repentance, but is of soverign "grace (Rom. 11:4-6; Eph. 1:3-6). All that pertain to salvation," "the means (Eph. 2:8; 2 Thess. 2:13) as well as the end, are of" "God (Acts 5:31; 2 Tim. 2:25; 1 Cor. 1:30; Eph. 2:5, 10). Faith" and repentance and all other graces are the exercises of a "regenerated soul; and regeneration is God's work, a "new" "creature." "Men are elected "to salvation," "to the adoption of sons," "to "be holy and without blame before him in love" (2 Thess. 2:13;" "Gal. 4:4, 5; Eph. 1:4). The ultimate end of election is the" "praise of God's grace (Eph. 1:6, 12). (See [175]PREDESTINATION.)"

Related Bible Dictionary Terms:
Grace    Grace means of