Originally posted by Zguy28 in the thread Trying to understand the mystery of election on October 26th 2006:

I have been wrestling with the concept of "election" over the last few months and it has really been consuming a lot of my thoughts and prayers. I was until yesterday a staunch Calvinist, totally pre-des and all of that. That's changed somewhat.

I have been meditating on this passage among others:
Acts 13:46-49 ESV

46And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, "It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. 47For so the Lord has commanded us, saying,

"'I have made you a light for the Gentiles,
that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'"

48And 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. 49And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region.

More specifically verse 48.

In every translation I read "τεταγμενοι" is either translated as "ordained" or "appointed." Searching the commentaries hasn't helped much, since there is disagreement on the meaning of it. Adam Clarke says it has no relation to Election, while Albert Barnes and John Gill (of course) believe it does mean Election.

Then this morning it was like a light bulb went on in my dark room. I began to understand two things:

1. I will never fully comprehend the mystery and relation of election and free will.

2. God speaks to us in ways we can understand.

Let me elaborate on number two with an analogy, especially with it being a political season, this is appropriate.

When an official in the USA is nominated and elected, they are chosen by the people. But that person is under no obligation to accept that nomination and the office unto which they have been elected. They can choose via their free will, to not accept it. The same goes for a cabinet minister, such as lets say Secretary of Energy. These people are appointed, or chosen by the President. They can say no, and refuse the offer made to them.

It is the same way with the "election" of Christians as near as I can tell. Although when it gets to the bottom line, I must just remember number one above and also that whether or not people are chosen to be saved or choose to accept salvation, it doesn't change the fact that our Lord Jesus was nailed to the tree and endured unfathomable shame and wrath for our sins and people get saved. That's what matters.


In Christ alone,

Z