"How can I know if I am one of the elect?"
Answer:
While there are numerous ideas of precisely what election means in
regards to salvation, the fact that believers are elect is indisputable (Romans 8:29-30; Ephesians 1:4-5, 11; 1 Thessalonians 1:4).
Simply put, the doctrine of election is that God
chooses/determines/elects/predestines who will be saved. It is not
within the scope of this article to determine how election works.
Rather, the question is “How can I know if I am one of the elect?” The
answer is exceedingly simple: believe!
The Bible nowhere instructs us to be concerned regarding our status of
elect vs. non-elect. Rather, God calls us to believe, to receive Jesus
Christ as Savior, by grace through faith (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9).
If a person truly trusts in Jesus alone for salvation, that person is
one of the elect. Whether belief secures election, or election causes
belief – that is another debate. But what is sure that belief is
evidence of election. No one can receive Jesus as Savior unless God
draws him or her (John 6:44). God calls/draws those whom He has predestined/elected (Romans 8:29-30). Saving faith is not possible without divine election. Therefore, saving faith is evidence of election.
The idea of a person wanting to be saved but being unable to, due to not
being one of the elect, is absolutely foreign to the Bible. No one
seeks after God’s plan of salvation on his own accord (Romans 3:10-18). Those without Christ are blind to their need for salvation (2 Corinthians 4:4).
This only changes when God begins drawing a person to Himself. It is
God who opens eyes and enlightens minds to the need for Jesus Christ as
Savior. A person cannot repent (change the mind about sin and the need
for salvation) unless God grants repentance (Acts 11:18).
Therefore, if you understand God’s plan of salvation, recognize your
need for it, and feel compelled to receive Jesus Christ as your Savior,
then believe, and you are saved.
If you have received Jesus Christ as your Savior, trusting Him alone for
salvation, believing that His sacrifice is the full payment for your
sins – congratulations, you are one of the elect.
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