“Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.”
(1 Thessalonians 1:4)
The doctrine of election—that God has chosen certain individuals for salvation before the foundation of the world—offers believers a unique assurance. In 1 Thessalonians 1:4, Paul reminds the Christians at Thessalonica that they are God’s “beloved,” specially chosen by Him. And so are all God’s elect, those He chose before time to become His children according to His eternal purpose and grace.
As such, our salvation is a divine gift that is entirely dependent on God’s mercy and sovereign will. At the moment we answer His call to repent, Christ’s righteousness is credited to our account. But this is solely due to His grace alone as Romans 3:24 tells us, we are “justified freely by his grace.” Through Christ we are justified, given His righteousness, and accepted as His children.[1] And this is an act that only God can perform, as He is the only one capable of forgiving our sins and making us righteous in His sight (Romans 4:6-7).
Faith—the means by which we embrace this righteousness—is also a gift that springs from God’s Spirit working in us. This supernatural faith (Colossians 2:12) further awakens us to our desperate condition (after being regenerated) and draws us to seek God’s forgiveness.
And once we are brought into His family, we can be assured that God’s promise to justify us is certain because, according to Ephesians 1:4, God “chose us in Him before the foundation of the world.” This means that the very faith that leads to our salvation is not random or uncertain. It is the fruit of God’s eternal purpose. The lives we live in faith are part of His divine plan, and He promises to complete the work He has begun in us.
At the same time, as Peter advises in 2 Peter 1:10, we are to be diligent in “making our calling and election sure.” While election guarantees that God will accomplish His purpose in us, we are also called to pursue faith, holiness, and spiritual growth as evidence of His work in us.
Therefore, the doctrine of election assures us that nothing can separate us from God’s love and purpose for us. As Romans 8:30-31 affirms, “whom He did predestinate, them He also called; and whom He called, them He also justified; and whom He justified, them He also glorified.”
These progressive stages of our spiritual development emphasize that God continues to actively participate in every aspect of our redemption. And we can trust that He who began this work will see it through to completion.
Contemplations:
- Embracing God’s Gift of Righteousness: God’s righteousness is a gift beyond measure. When I consider my life, I see all the ways I fall short. And yet He doesn’t count my failures against me because He places them on Christ. Romans 4:6-7 says, “Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.” Knowing He has covered my sins with His mercy brings me peace. God’s grace continually reminds me that I am accepted, not because of what I have done, but because of what Christ has done on my behalf.
- Assurance in Being Called and Chosen: There is a comfort in knowing that my salvation was part of God’s eternal plan. Ephesians 1:4 tells me that “He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world.” This knowledge keeps me steady, especially when I feel weak in faith. I am reminded that my life, with all its struggles and growth, is unfolding within His divine plan. I am not here by chance, but by His deliberate love and choice, which strengthens my faith and reassures me of His presence in every moment.
- The Power of Faith as God’s Work: Faith is not something I manufacture. It is, instead, the work of God within me. Colossians 2:12 describes it as “the faith of the operation of God.” Because I trust in His Spirit to keep my heart grounded in Him, I’m relieved of the pressure of trying to maintain belief by my own strength. This is especially comforting when I struggle, knowing that God is upholding my faith as He draws me closer to Him.
- The Promise of Glory and Assurance of Completion: Romans 8:30, “Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called; and whom he called, them he also justified; and whom he justified, them he also glorified,” holds a promise of completion. God’s work in me will not be left unfinished. I am being led toward glory, and this assurance allows me to face challenges, knowing that my future in Him is secure.
Further References for 1 Thess. 1:4:
2 Peter 1:10; Psalm 4:3; Rom. 11:5; Rom. 8:28; 2 Tim. 1:9
[1] John Bunyan, A Confession of My Faith, (London: Printed for Francis Smith .., 1672), 30.
