Expert: Dean Gade - 2/13/2008

Question
How does the view of the elect differ across Christian groups? Was the concept of the elect always taught?

Answer
The view of election by God varies greatly between Christians,  not only from one denomination to another but from one person to another.

The problem is that it is a mystery (a secret thing of God) which God has not revealed to us.  He chooses whom He will as He pleases for reasons that we probably won't understand until we ask it of Him when we meet Him in heaven.

Each of us knows that WE have been elected because we know of His forgiveness for us. WE, those who live by faith, ARE the elect.  And that is what He has revealed.  With that we strive to walk in obedience to His commands, including the good news of salvation to all that we can.


Rom 8:28-30

28 We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first-born among many brethren. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.
RSV

Col 1:24-27
25 I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— 26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. 27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery , which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
NIV

Deut 29:29

29 The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.
NIV

Ps 131:1-2

My heart is not proud, O Lord,
my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
or things too wonderful for me.
2 But I have stilled and quieted my soul;
like a weaned child with its mother,
like a weaned child is my soul within me.
NIV

We have His grace to know His love.  That is sufficient.