What Is Election and Predestination? Reformed Theology Explained

Few doctrines stir more debate than election and predestination.

The idea that God chooses who will be saved makes people uncomfortable. It raises questions about fairness, free will, and God's character. Some Christians reject it outright. Others embrace it as the heartbeat of the gospel.

But what if this controversial doctrine is actually biblical?

What if it's not a theological quirk invented by John Calvin, but a truth woven throughout Scripture? What if understanding election could actually deepen your assurance of salvation instead of shaking it?

That's what we're exploring today.

This post will explain what election and predestination mean, why they're biblical, how they work together, and why they should give you comfort rather than confusion. Whether you're new to Reformed theology or wrestling with these concepts, this is for you.

Let's dive into one of the most profound truths in all of Scripture.

Election is God's sovereign choice to save specific people before the foundation of the world.

It's not that God looked down the corridor of time and saw who would choose Him. Election is unconditional. God chose you not because of anything you did, but simply because He loved you.

Paul puts it this way: "Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him" (Ephesians 1:4, ESV).

Notice three things here.

First, God chose us "in him"—in Christ. Election is always connected to Jesus. You can't separate God's choosing from Christ's saving work.

Second, God chose us "before the foundation of the world." This wasn't a last-minute decision. Before time began, God set His love on you.

Third, the purpose of election is holiness: "that we should be holy and blameless." God doesn't just save you from hell. He saves you for Himself.

Election means your salvation didn't originate with you. It originated in the heart of God before you were born, before you believed, before you did anything good or bad.

This is what theologians call "unconditional election."

Predestination is closely related to election, but it's slightly broader.

While election refers specifically to God choosing people for salvation, predestination refers to God's sovereign decree over all things. God doesn't just choose who will be saved—He determines how that salvation will unfold.

Romans 8:29-30 gives us the golden chain of salvation:

"For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified" (ESV).

Notice the progression: foreknew, predestined, called, justified, glorified.

This isn't a random sequence. It's God's unbreakable plan. Everyone God foreknew, He predestined. Everyone He predestined, He called. Everyone He called, He justified. Everyone He justified, He glorified.

No one falls off the chain.

Predestination means that from eternity past to eternity future, God has ordained the salvation of His people. He doesn't just plan the destination—He plans the journey.

This is why Paul can say with confidence that nothing will separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:38-39). If God predestined your salvation, He will complete it.

Election isn't a theological invention. It's woven throughout the fabric of Scripture.

Let's look at a few key passages.

Jesus said, "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him" (John 6:44, ESV).

Notice the word "draws." It's not a gentle invitation. The Greek word helkō means to drag or compel. It's the same word used when Peter dragged the fishing net to shore (John 21:11).

Jesus is saying that apart from God's sovereign initiative, no one would come to Him. Faith itself is a gift.

Luke records, "And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed" (Acts 13:48, ESV).

This is a remarkable verse. It doesn't say "as many as believed were appointed." It says "as many as were appointed believed."

Appointment precedes faith. God's election is the cause; our belief is the effect.

Paul explains election using the example of Jacob and Esau:

"Though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls—she was told, 'The older will serve the younger.' As it is written, 'Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated'" (Romans 9:11-13, ESV).

Paul anticipates the objection: "That's not fair!"

His response? "So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy" (Romans 9:16, ESV).

God's election is unconditional. It's not based on what you do. It's based on who God is.

We already looked at this passage, but it's worth repeating:

"Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will" (Ephesians 1:4-5, ESV).

God predestined us "in love." This isn't cold determinism. This is sovereign grace motivated by infinite affection.

Election is the doctrine that says God loved you first—not just before you loved Him, but before you existed.

Let's address the most common objections to election head-on.

This is the objection Paul anticipates in Romans 9:14: "Is there injustice on God's part?"

His answer: "By no means!"

Here's why election isn't unfair: no one deserves to be saved. We're all sinners under God's judgment (Romans 3:23). If God saved no one, that would be justice. If God saves anyone, that's mercy.

Election means God shows mercy to some. It doesn't mean He's unjust to others.

As Charles Spurgeon said, "If God would have painted a yellow stripe on the backs of the elect I would go around lifting shirts. But since He didn't, I must preach 'Whosoever will' and when 'Whosoever' believes I know he is one of the elect."

God doesn't owe anyone salvation. The fact that He saves anyone is grace.

Does election mean we're robots?

No. It means we're slaves.

Before salvation, we were slaves to sin (Romans 6:17). We freely chose sin because we loved sin. Our wills were free, but they were bound to our sinful nature.

Election doesn't destroy your will. It liberates it.

God regenerates your heart, gives you new desires, and enables you to choose Christ. You choose freely—and you choose Christ because God first chose you.

Jonathan Edwards put it this way: "The will is always as the greatest apparent good." Before salvation, sin was your greatest good. After regeneration, Christ is your greatest good.

Election doesn't remove freedom. It redirects it.

If God has already chosen who will be saved, why preach the gospel?

Because election is the means, not the end.

God doesn't just ordain the end (who will be saved). He ordains the means (how they will be saved). And the means is the preaching of the gospel.

Paul says, "How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?" (Romans 10:14, ESV).

God uses preaching to save the elect. The doctrine of election doesn't undermine evangelism—it empowers it.

When you share the gospel, you're not hoping someone might respond. You're confident that God will draw His sheep.

As Spurgeon said, "I preach as though it all depends on God, because it does."

Election isn't just a theological puzzle. It's a source of deep, soul-anchoring comfort.

Here's why.

If your salvation depends on your decision, what happens when you doubt your decision?

If your perseverance depends on your faithfulness, what happens when you fail?

Election takes the weight off your shoulders. Your salvation isn't grounded in your choice, your effort, or your consistency. It's grounded in God's unchanging purpose.

Paul says, "The gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable" (Romans 11:29, ESV).

God doesn't take back His election. You can't lose what God has secured.

If God chose you before the foundation of the world, He won't abandon you halfway through.

Paul writes, "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6, ESV).

God doesn't start projects He doesn't finish. If He elected you, He will sanctify you. If He predestined you, He will glorify you.

Your perseverance isn't your achievement. It's God's faithfulness.

Election means God didn't love you because you were faithful, moral, or sincere. He loved you while you were dead in your trespasses (Ephesians 2:1-5).

His love isn't a response to your goodness. His love is the cause of your goodness.

This is the heart of the gospel: God loved you first.

John Calvin said, "We are not to reflect on the wickedness of men, but to look to the image of God in them, which cancels and effaces their transgressions, and with its beauty and dignity allures us to love and embrace them."

Election means you are loved with an everlasting love—not because of who you are, but because of who God is.

Paul asks, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" (Romans 8:35, ESV).

His answer: Nothing.

Not tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, or sword. Not death, life, angels, rulers, things present, things to come, powers, height, depth, or anything else in all creation.

Why? Because election is rooted in the eternal purpose of God.

If God chose you in eternity past, nothing in time can undo His choice.

So what do we do with the doctrine of election?

Here are three practical takeaways.

Election should lead to worship, not speculation.

Paul's response to election is doxology: "Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!" (Romans 11:33, ESV).

Don't try to unravel the mystery. Marvel at the mercy.

If you're in Christ, you're elect. You don't need to wonder if God will keep you. He will.

Your salvation is as secure as God's purpose. And God's purpose is unchanging.

Election doesn't make evangelism pointless—it makes it powerful.

When you share the gospel, you're not hoping people will respond. You're confident that God will save His sheep.

Preach Christ. Trust God. Leave the results to Him.

Election and predestination aren't doctrines to fear. They're truths to embrace.

They tell you that God loved you before you loved Him. That your salvation is secure. That nothing can snatch you from His hand.

Election isn't about God being cold or distant. It's about God being loving and sovereign.

If you're wrestling with these truths, don't stop wrestling. Keep reading Scripture. Keep praying. Keep seeking.

And if you're comforted by these truths, praise God. You've been chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world.

That's good news.

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Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.