Tell Me Again Please … When Does Election Take Place?
Stop for a moment and ask yourself this question.  When does the Bible say your election took place?  Before the foundation of the world.  Right?  Okay, does the Bible teach anywhere that God first looks into the future to determine the decisions people will make in the future before He then goes ahead and makes His plans for the future?  Not at all.

I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please”  (Isaiah 46:10).  “But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations”  (Psalms 33:11).

God didn’t consult the future in the past (prior to laying the foundation for the world) in order to determine what will happen so He could then plan for it to happen that way.  Sound strange to you?  It should.  Yet, this is exactly what Arminianism teaches.

The Bible says God decrees what will take place in this world before it happens so He can   demonstrate to all people throughout history that He makes good on His word because He has the power to carry out His decrees because is God.    “... I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.  I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come.  I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.  From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose.  What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do”  (Isaiah 46:9-11).

Is God in Control …  And if so is God a Sinner?
Whatever happens in time and space happens because God has planned it that way.  And God actively brings His word to pass.  “… so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it”  (Isaiah 55:11).  His plans and purposes are carried out.

Much of what happens on this earth doesn’t include the decisions and actions of men.  Man doesn’t control the weather, or earthquakes, or many other things.  But some events do happen because of our choices – good and bad.

The Bible is clear that when people commit sinful actions and purpose them as sinful they are accounted as sinful to those individuals.  God doesn’t sin; man does (James 1:13).  But God is still sovereign over those actions, and His purposes are carried out through those actions.  (For more examples see passages such as Isaiah 53:10; Acts 4:27-28; Genesis 50:20; Psalm 105:17; Proverbs 19:21; Proverbs 20:24; Proverbs 21:1; Jeremiah 10:23; Romans 9:17).

Are We Born Again Before or After We “Make a Decision for Christ?”
So where does our faith and our choices fit into the scheme of salvation?  Arminianism teaches that people hear the Gospel, then acquire faith to believe it, and then make a “personal decision” for Christ.  God has supposedly based their election on this faith (which He knew they would acquire) and the choice (He knew they would exercise).  But if you truly comprehend the total depravity of man you already know this Arminian view has to be mistaken.

I noted at the beginning of this article that unregenerate (“individuals not born again”) persons in the state of total depravity cannot have saving faith or make a “choice” for God.  Why?  Because they’re spiritually dead.  They can’t make Godly choices.  The only choices they can make are sinful choices.  When Arminianism teaches that faith and repentance take place in a person before their regeneration (new birth) it places the cart before the horse.

According to Scripture, regeneration must take place before we come to Christ in faith.  “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins… But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved”  (Ephesians 2:1, 4-5).

God regenerates elect individuals and draws these persons to Himself.  “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:44).  “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him”  (John 6:65).  “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.”  (John 10:28).

Election and regeneration are sovereign works of God - - accomplished by His grace.  “Jesus replied, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven’”  (Matthew 16:17).  “Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen?       It is God who justifies”  (Romans 8:33).

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”  (Ephesians 2:8-9). “… no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again… Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going.  So it is with everyone born of the Spirit”  (John 3:3, 6-8).

The Elect Are Chosen By God, Not Determined By Man … Man’s Election Is Un-Conditional …

 “Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad - in order that God's purpose in election might stand: not by works but by him who calls - she was told, ‘The older will serve the younger.’ Just as it is written: ‘Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.’ ...It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy.  For the scripture says to Pharaoh: ‘I raised you up for this very   purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.’  Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden”  (Romans 9:11-13, 16-18).

Those who are elect will truly come to Christ.  They will decide to become followers of Christ because God has determined that they will do so beforehand.  God, in His mercy, enlightens some men while choosing to let others stay in darkness.  “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children” (Luke 10:21). “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me”  (John 10:14). “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion”  (Romans 9:15).  “God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden” (Romans 9:18).

Three Common Questions People Raise About the Doctrine of Unconditional Election
Now let’s quickly address three common questions people ask regarding the doctrine of unconditional election. The first one has already been indirectly addressed, but we’ll discuss it here for a moment.  Some people ask, “If the doctrine of unconditional election is true does it mean that individuals who WANT to become a Christians won’t be able to if they aren’t God’s elect?” 

No.  Elect people truly WANT to become Christians.  Repentance from sin and faith in Christ are signs of election.  Jesus said “and the one who comes to me I will by no means cast out”  (John 6:37).  “God so loved the world that whosoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life…Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life” (John 3:16,36).  “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 9:13).

Anyone who hears the voice of Christ calling to them in the Gospel should respond and come to Christ.  Election doesn’t mean people who truly want to come to Christ cannot; it means the exact       opposite.  Election is the only way a person CAN truly come to Christ.

Does the Teaching of Unconditional Election Portray God as Unfair or Unjust?
Why is it so often assumed that if God treats some people differently than others, or gives someone a blessing He doesn’t give to everyone then He is somehow being unjust? This doesn’t make any sense, especially when most Christians admit the Bible is full of examples of God doing just that.

For example, God blessed Abraham and his family in ways He didn’t bless others.  God bestowed certain gifts and abilities to various men and women all throughout the Bible and withheld them from others.  God let Moses see and experience things He didn’t let others enjoy.  Jesus even had a close-knit group within his own circle of disciples (Peter, James and John) who experienced blessings the others didn’t, like seeing his transfiguration on the mountain.

The term “unjust” would mean God is somehow violating “justice” by electing some to salvation but not others.  But how does unconditional election violate justice?  According to the Bible sinners  deserve to go to hell.  Justice is served when someone goes to hell.  Unconditional election, on the other hand, reveals a merciful side to God.  Instead of allowing justice to be served on all of us God chose to elect many undeserving individuals to eternal life.  For reasons known only to Himself God chose to mercifully save some from His wrath.  That’s not injustice - - that’s mercy!

All of us deserve eternal separation from God.  God wasn’t obligated to save any of us.  Justice is satisfied in any sinner who God passes over in election.  The non-elect person in hell is getting exactly what they deserve.  God is just.

Okay, so what about fairness?  Is this fair?  The term “fairness” implies impartiality.  It means that everyone should be treated the same.  In one sense God does treat everyone the same.  There is a sense in which God is impartial.  God shows no partiality among the many kinds of people He elects to eternal life.  Salvation is offered to everyone “out of every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people” (Rev 5:9). God doesn’t elect some and reject others based upon any racial, national, language or ethnic preferences.   He is impartial regarding the kinds of people He elects to eternal life.

On the other hand, God is partial to His elect.  He loves those who He has adopted and birthed as His own children.  He distinguishes certain ones to be “called out of darkness into light” (1 Peter 2:9).  On what basis?  Good question - - but Scripture doesn’t tell us why!  We do know it’s not because of anything in us.  What God has done pleases Him.  That should be enough for us.  He calls us to trust Him.  His nature is “good.”  Therefore, what God has decreed is good.  We must be content with his  sovereignty and trust Him.

The apostle Paul responded to those who tried to argue that election is unfair by writing, “But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?'  Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some     pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?”  (Romans 9:20-21).  Doesn’t God have the right (and the freedom) to judge sinners in a way they deserve, while singling out some for mercy by His grace?

God does show favor to His elect in a way similar to parents showing favor to the children they’ve birthed into this world.  God has a special love for His children just as parents have a love for their children.  God singles out His elect children for salvation and blessings.  Instead of giving His elect what they deserve He gives them mercy.  Which brings us to the final question.

Does the Teaching of the Doctrine of Unconditional Election Portray God as Unloving?
The Bible says, “God is love” (1 John 4:8).  The Bible says, “For God so loved the world…” (John 3:16).  So the question follows, “How could a loving God elect some to salvation but not others?”  If you ask this question it’s again because you don’t really understand the first doctrine in the T.U.L.I.P.  – total depravity.

To try and answer this I’m going to ask you to picture the following story in your mind.  This story is an adaptation of a story I first read from theologian Sam Storms.  It’s not a perfect analogy by any means.  But it is closer to portraying a biblical picture of human nature and salvation than some others.

A kindly old father and his gentle, devoted son were traveling on a small plane with three other men, along with the pilot, to an exotic island in the Pacific for a vacation.  While they were in the air a terrible storm came and the plane went terribly off course.  It eventually crash landed on a remote, unpopulated, and uncharted island.  The father, his son and the three men survived. The pilot was killed.

It turned out the three men were all friends.  But they were individuals of horrible character.  These men routinely took away any food the father and his son found for themselves on the island.  The men routinely abused the father and son.  Even took to beating them out of sheer boredom and enjoyment.  Each and every day, at least one of these men was exceedingly mean, cruel, selfish, and hateful.

These three evil men enjoyed telling each other about their wild adventures at home.  The drinking…gambling…drug abuse…stealing and fornicating.  They missed it.  They enjoyed it all.  They loved to brag about each and every sin.  For each of them, the worst part about   being stuck on a deserted island was that their circumstances actually kept them from        practicing all the sin they wanted to engage in.

The kindly father and his gentle son attempted to speak with these men about their lives.  About living life in light of a created purpose…about morals…about right and wrong.  They also kindly asked the men not to be cruel

This greatly angered the three men.  They cursed and beat the father and his son more than ever because of it.  On occasion, they even forced the father to watch as they did cruel and wicked things to his son just for sport.

Then one day something happened.  All five were traveling across the island together.   The three wicked men had managed to find a bottle of whiskey the pilot had hidden in the cargo hold of the plane.  They passed the bottle to each other and got drunk while walking along.  And each one managed to stray into a pit of what appeared to be a mixture of sand and mud.

The three began to curse and joke about getting dirty.  They didn’t see any danger.  The father and son, however, knowingly look at one another.  They pleaded with the men to get out of the pit.  They even offered to help the men.  But the three scoffed and cursed the father and his son.

So the father and his son decided to act.  The father threw a line out to one of the men and directed his own son to get into the muddy substance himself.  The son, without regard for his own life, grabbed hold of the man.  The man cursed him.  He even hit the son.  He spit in his face.  He poked at the son’s eyes.  He told the son to leave him alone.  Still, the son continued to drag the man out of the thick mud-like substance.  And just about the time he pulled the cruel man out of the pit the son fell back into the thick substance.  He was tired, and was quickly overcome by it.  He went under and disappeared.

This made the two men still in the pit roar with laughter.  They mocked the old man and made fun of his son.  They still didn’t realize the father and his son were offering to help them out of quicksand.  They called the man whom the boy had rescued a sissy.  They cussed the old man and told him they didn’t want his help.  They could get themselves out just fine.

The father choked back tears at the thought of losing his precious son.  Still, the kindly old man began cleaning off the man his son had dragged from the pit.  The father was glad in his heart for the life of the man in front of him - - the one his son had saved.

Now, something else happened.  The man who the son had saved began to realize what had just taken place.  He began to understand that this kindly old man who he had cursed and beaten and stolen from had actually rescued him.  And this father’s only son had saved his life in spite of all his efforts to push him away.  Not only that, this father’s son, his most precious possession, had lost his own life to save him.

The other two men were still stuck.  In pride, they told the old man they could get out by themselves.  They didn’t want his help.  “We’re men,” they said.  “Not sissies.”  The old man looked at them.  He decided to let them have it their way.  And their cursing was the last sound in the air before they too went under.

The old man helped the man his son had rescued to his feet.  That man was sobbing now.  He saw his past sins come accusingly before him in his thoughts.  He knew how he had treated the kindly old man and how he had abused his son.  He thought of how he had cursed, and scoffed, and mocked and stolen from the father and his son.  He was ashamed.

The father put his arms around the man, told him he forgave him and let him know that his son had freely and willingly risked his life to save him - - even though this man didn’t think he needed saving or even want to be saved at that moment.

The man continued to sob as he pondered, “Why had this man’s son been willing to risk his own life for someone like me?  Why would this father be in agreement with what his son had done?”

The man was changed from that day onward.  “How can I not change,” he thought to      himself.  He owed his life in this world to the very ones he sinned against most in this world.  He kept on wondering, “What kind of love does something like this?”  It’s the same question we should ponder when we think about the doctrine of unconditional election.