Theology Thursday

Our next "step" in Theology Thursday is Unconditional Election... remember last week we looked at Total Depravity? So, what is unconditional election? Are we saying that God's decision in salvation has no bearing on our decision? Even though God makes his choice in us before we are born, he still knows everything about us and our lives before we live them. Right? Does he take that prior knowledge of us into account when he makes his decision regarding election? Certainly not. For Paul says,
"29For 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. 30And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified." Romans 8:29-30 ESV

We see here the order of salvation... God foreknows, He predestines, He calls, He justifies and He glorifies. The Westminster Confession so clearly spells out what is meant by Unconditional Election:

III. By the decree of God, for the manifestation of His glory, some men and angels are predestined unto everlasting life; and others foreordained to everlasting death.

IV. These angels and men, thus predestined, and foreordained, are particularly and unchangeably designed, and their number so certain and definite, that it cannot be either increased or diminished.

V. Those of mankind that are predestined unto life, God, before the foundation of the world was laid, according to His eternal and immutable purpose, and the secret counsel and good pleasure of His will, has chosen, in Christ, unto everlasting glory out of His mere free grace and love, without any foresight of faith, or good works, or perseverance in either of them, or any other thing in the creature, as conditions, or causes moving Him thereunto;[10] and all to the praise of His glorious grace.

So, we see that His sovereign election is nothing based on anything foreseen by God (see also Romans 9:10-16) but rather the good pleasure of his sovereign will. How wonderful to know that all power and glory rests in Him and not in any decision on my part. What security that brings.