Who are the elect?

By definition, elect means a special, privileged group. The theological definition is one or a group chosen by God for salvation and eternity. Now, the elect of God is Christ; He is the “tried stone, elect and precious” (1 Peter 1:2). The Holy Spirit helped Peter to have a sound basis of encouragement to the Christians he is addressing in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, andBithynia. (1 Pet 1:1). These 5 groups in five provinces of Asia Minor are finding themselves more and more lonely and isolated. These were areas specially chosen and preferred by Jesus Christ whose favor is all
important. It’s so important that we, too, be in His favor. Peter reminds them tenderly that they were not merely a people (elect), but now they are a people of God! Why their interest and this striking change in these distant provinces? They hear a sermon at Pentecost, and went back home with the gospel message. But it was Peter that prayed for them and now wants to “strengthen thy brethren.” (Lk 22:3) and obey the command, “feed my sheep, if thy lovest me.” (Jn. 21:15-17)

Personal responsibility and election are joyously compatible. (Rom. 8:29); “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Furthermore, “He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” (Rom. 9:27) So, what’s the result? Obedience to God and cleansing with blood, all defilement of sin.

Peter, thusly addresses his dear brethren from afar and wishes “grace; that it be multiplied.” (1 Pet. 1:2) Grace is a Greek word, suggesting a gentile greeting – “chaire”, even used commonly in Greece today; meaning, “Shalom”; peace. The Israel of God are the “elect” of God, and “even called by name.”! (Is. 42:1; 45:4). What a privilege then, and honor, to be called the Israel of today! Notice, however, not those who for a short time may profess to be Christ’s, but those who are Christ’s indeed, really Christ’s, are finally saved for all Israel (the elect), shall be saved…ALL! (Rom. 11:26). That is, all who are grafted in and become a part of Christ. Christian, after all, means…Christlike.

One may now ask, ‘will they, the elect, all be in the Kingdom of Heaven?’ Yes, most assuredly, yes! Well, it’s shown by certain scriptural texts, where God says of the New Earth, “mine elect shall inherit and live there.”… a promise. (Isa. 65:9) Again, in verse 22, “mine elect shall enjoy the work of their hands.” In addition, texts show us clearly that the elect “shall be gathered”, without the loss of one.

The very same angels, also, that “gather the elect”, are the same ones “removing the tares from the wheat, so that the wheat can be gathered and put into the barn.” (Matt 24:31, Isa. 13:30; 41-43).

God vividly sees into the future, and His purpose for each of us. He picturesquely sees afar at the end of the road, and sees His people, the elect; redeemed in the Kingdom… such ones, because of their acceptance of Christ, and thereby have been elected to be saved. That is, only those who are really saved are the elect of God. Many, however, say, ‘I am saved, born again!’ “We are never to rest in a satisfied condition, and cease to make advancement, saying, “I am saved.” When this idea is entertained, the motives for watchfulness, for prayer, for earnest endeavor to press onward to high
attainments, cease to exist. As long as man is full of weakness – for of himself he cannot save his soul – he should never dare to say, ‘I am saved.1″ (SM 314) No more notice or attention is given to those taken in the election who fall away, than in any others who died in sin.

Can a believer fall away!? “It is impossible for those who have been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because of their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.”

(Heb. 6:4-6) A similar argument is found in Heb. 10: 37, “He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith, And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.” Here we are starting to see that if a falling away ever did occur, it would be impossible to rescue such people again! A terrifying thought! Jude gives to Christians everywhere the exhortation to “stand fast in the power of God who will keep us from falling…to stoutly defend the truth of God which God gave once for all, to his people to keep without change through the years. Stay always
within the boundaries where God’s love can reach and bless you. Be careful that you yourselves aren’t pulled along unto the sins of others.” (Jude 1) Jude here is urging believers to stand firm against some false teachers and to false doctrines that they bring.

Also, importantly, he admonishes us to examine what people say and the kind of lives that they live so that we may only approve what is pleasing in the sight of God. We may call upon God to help us in this with full assurance that he will hear and answer our prayer. This is the theme of Jude and message for believers, today.

Peter, furthermore, tells us, “So, dear brothers, work hard to prove that you are real among those God has called and chosen, (the elect), and then you will never stumble or fall away. And God will open wide the gates of heaven for you to enter into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Pet. 1:10)

The church of God is the body of Christ.. .and many members. The Lord from the beginning has seen that body.. .perfect and complete, as it will be when redeemed. Now then, all who are thus seen in that body, are the elect of God.

Again, the church is compared to a temple. They eye of God sees that temple complete, with every stone in place. Not one of them will be missing! As the breastplate of the high priest, made of precious stones, had on it the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, so in the heavenly sanctuary, the names of the elect are engraved on the heart of our great high priest. “They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts in that day when I make up my jewels. These are the ones the Father has given to the son. These are the sheep of Christ that no one can pluck out of His hand.” “If one who trusts Jesus were shut out of the Kingdom, the throne of God would be disgraced.” (Jer. 14:21)

God has sworn by Himself and given His own life as surety that this will not be so, and thus gives us strong consolation and a certain hope, and confidence. The doctrine of election, therefore, instead of being in anyway dark or gloomy, is full of hope, encouragement, and joy to the believer in Jesus. But says one, ‘this is all good for the elect, but how am I to know that I am one of them?’ A good question. The answers? By believing in Jesus… “Rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure.” (2 Pet. 1:1) Give diligence.. .namely, make it your personal business!

To make your calling firm. Here’s God’s call with personal responsibility. If you do., and keep on doing, you shall never fall, or stumble. Remember, obedience, firstly, is not “optional”, for the safety of the Christian believer.

As we have now seen, the elect are those who trust Jesus, not those who have trusted, or those who will trust, but those who do trust each moment, as it is present, today and every day. This is free to all…now. So, the one thing for us to do is to be closely connected with Jesus Christ. Not only this, but to be identified with Christ, who is the elect of God, and “in Him we can rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, having full assurance of faith and a sure and certain hope. (1 Pet. 1:8)

“And God has reserved for his children the priceless gift of eternal life; it is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.” (1 Pet. 1:4)

This concept and message has been lost for many. Many simply “resign”. Why? Firstly, to be undefiled means to be unstained, unspotted; fadeth not away, to have a fresh color, and to be reserved; to be kept under watch. This results with a new birth.. .a new inheritance; “let us go right in, to God himself, with true hearts fully trusting him to receive us, because we have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and because our bodies have been washed with pure water.” (Heb. 10:22)

Yet, many are still perplexed and drifting to and fro. Again, why? It seems that we are so much taken up with what God wants us to be here that we have forgotten heaven! Then, too, we are ‘spoiled’ and ‘entangled’ by our earthly possessions.. .Might it be that one day that, “you suffered with those thrown into jail, and you were actually joyful when all you owned was taken from you, knowing that better things were awaiting you in heaven, things that would be yours forever?” (Heb. 10:34)

Peter reminds us and every Christian that there’s an “undefiled inheritance awaiting us which has never been realized.” (1 Pet. 1:4) And it has in it all we have ever hoped or dreamed or imagined, and a good deal more. The best of all is yet to come into the Christian believer’s life. It will always be better. Jesus in speaking to His disciples, in telling the signs of the end times, replied, “Don’t let anyone mislead you; Take care! I have warned you! For there will be many false Messiahs and false prophets who will do wonderful miracles that would deceive, if possible even God’s own children (the elect).” (Mk. 13:5, 22) Let’s strive to be the elect.
AMEN

John Theodorou
Athens, Greece