Doctrine of Unconditional Election

Brightfame52 said:

1 Pet 2:4-10 shows us that Both Christ and believers are the Chosen of God

4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,

5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

Verse 4 is speaking of Christ being Chosen of God and Vs 9 is speaking of believers who were chosen in Him, they were His seed, or generation

Now notice in Vs 9 they are called a chosen generation. That word generation means:

kindred

1. offspring
2. family

They are Christs offspring, seed or generation, Chosen in Him Eph 1:4

Yes Jesus had a offspring, seed, generation in Him Isa 53:10

10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.

This referring to Christ having a seed, its the hebrew word zeraʿ:

1. offspring, descendants, posterity, children

And this is His generation Ps 22:30

A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation

Now this chosen seed or generation is what Peter refers to in 1 Pet 2:9, and they were Chosen in Christ who is Gods Chosen 1 Pet 2:4 God chose them together before the foundation of the world Eph 1:4

4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 8

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Peter writes to these Christians as if they are true believers, but only God knows their hearts and can determine if they truly are faithful. Peter assumes they are God-fearing Christians, but he doesn't know if they are.

Hebrews 6:11-12
And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

2 Peter 1:2-11
Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.
10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Revelation 2:1-3
To the angel of the church of Ephesus write,
‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. 6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

Revelation 14:12
Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

Brightfame52 said:

Thats your only hope of salvation ! Our law keeping and righteousness is rejected of God.

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A person's righteousness is never rejected by God.
God is the one who declared him to be righteous!
He was declared righteous because he feared God and obeyed him. Acts 10:1-7, Acts 10:35

Genesis 7:1
Then the Lord said to Noah, “Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation.

Ephesians 6:12-16
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

Brightfame52 said:

You have just abandoned the Christian gospel entirely and retreated into a hopeless, pagan system of salvation by human works. By claiming we must keep commandments to make ourselves "worthy" of eternal life, you are walking down the exact same path as Cain and the Judaizers. Let’s look at how you have completely mangled these scriptures: [1, 2, 3]

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Cain was not under the first covenant—the Law of Moses. We will be judged either worthy or unworthy of eternal life according to our works. Jesus Christ stated this truth. Matthew 16:27, John 5:29

Genesis 4:2-7
Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 3 And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord. 4 Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, 5 but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.
6 So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”

Cain should have offered God the very finest of his "first fruits" along with his intention to honor God, but something was lacking in his offering. Perhaps he was somewhat lukewarm in love and the zeal to worship God. Deuteronomy 6:5

Proverbs 3:9-10
Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.

Cain could have remedied his rejected gift, but he chose instead to murder his brother because he was jealous of God's respect for Abel and his offering.

If, instead of murdering his brother, Cain had repented with a humble and contrite heart and then lovingly offered his best "firstfruits" to God, God would have respected him and his offering.

Brightfame52 said:

Cain trusted in his works, much like you do,

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Genesis 4:6-7
6 So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”

Cain's initial offering did not fulfill God's requirements to be acceptable.

All Cain had to do was to remedy what was lacking, and then his offering would have been pleasing to God.

It is what we do in response to God's discipline that matters.

Cain chose to murder his brother instead of making his next offering acceptable to God.

Cain didn't strive against sinning when he was tempted to sin; instead, he did evil against his brother.

Matthew 26:41
Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Luke 8:13
But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away.

Brightfame52 said:

Thats false. Jesus gives eternal life to as many as the Father gave Him in the eternal covenant of grace Jn 17:2

2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

This is according to Gods eternal promise Titus 1:1-2

Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;

2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

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To whom did the Lord promise eternal life?
He promised eternal life to the people who will love him—be faithful—until they die. To love him and have faith in him requires our obedience to him.

James 1:12
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

1 John 2:3-5
Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.


Which people can hope to inherit eternal life?
The people who refuse to commit the "second death" sins may have this hope. Otherwise, their hope will be in vain. 1 John 5:16-17

Revelation 3:4
You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.

Which people did the Father give to his Son?
The Father gave to his Son the people who will be worthy of inheriting eternal life at the time of their death. Only the faithful-until-death people will be worthy.

Revelation 2:10
Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

James 1:22
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

Brightfame52 said:

I already told you see Jn 17:2

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John 17:2
as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him.

To whom will he grant eternal life?

He will grant eternal life to the people who love him, the people who overcome their temptations instead of falling away by committing grievous sins against God.

James 1:12
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

Romans 12:21
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.



What does a person have to do to be approved to inherit eternal life?

He must overcome his temptations to commit grievous sins, and thereby he will remain faithful to God until he dies.

This is the righteous work that he must do. Yes, work!

1 Thessalonians 3:4-5
For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know. 5 For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain.

2 Peter 2:18-21
For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error. 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage. 20 For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. 21 For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.



God's grace saves us when our faith is accompanied by our righteous works. It is not by faith alone that we are saved.

James 2:24
You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.

Philippians 2:12
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

Brightfame52 said:

Doing well, thats works ! You trusting in your doing well instead of Jesus Christ doing well for the sins of Gods elect.

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If a person desires to inherit eternal life, he must obey God's commandments.

This obedience to God requires him to refrain from doing evil works and to lovingly do the righteous works that the Father prepared beforehand for him to do.

Ephesians 2:10
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Matthew 7:21

We must obey. This obedience is a righteous work! Matthew 7:13-14, Luke 13:23-27

1 Peter 4:17
For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?

2 Thessalonians 1:7b-9
when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,

Jan001 said:

If a person desires to inherit eternal life, he must obey God's commandments.

This obedience to God requires him to refrain from doing evil works and to lovingly do the righteous works that the Father prepared beforehand for him to do.

Ephesians 2:10
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Matthew 7:21

We must obey. This obedience is a righteous work! Matthew 7:13-14, Luke 13:23-27

1 Peter 4:17
For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?

2 Thessalonians 1:7b-9
when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,

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I think the point they are trying to make is that obedience is never a work of ours, but it is something that you will automatically do if God has already chosen that for you (from before the foundations of this world) completely apart from your own will or input and it won't be able to happen any other way, etc.

Thinking obedience is a work of ours leads to the sin of pride/thinking you're better than other people, which God hates. We also should not ever try to judge who's being obedient and who's not in each individual case, since that will also lead to sin which God hates as well, etc, and because obedience to God's will, is going to look a whole lot different for each individual case, and might not always outwardly look like obedience to the OT commandments.

Timing is another thing we don't know about when it comes to other people also, but that's all in God's already foreknowing about/full authority, etc. Ours is only to present the life saving/soul saving good news about the gospel of Jesus Christ to as many people as possible, and not try to force anything else after that/beyond that, or from there, etc.

Ours is to be the best living example that we can after that, and allow other people to come to us if and when they want to after that, etc. And if they do come back to us after that, be very, very careful/gentle with them after that, speaking only as much as necessary, and keeping our mouths closed when and where we should accordingly, and allowing them to talk and/or speak, as much as we possibly can before we talk/speak some more again, etc.

This entire process, if they do come back to us, always needs to be handled with the most delicate and utmost care, etc. If you're not doing this this way, then I don't really know if you're truly one of his, or know who he really is, etc.

God Bless.