Divine Election

Divine election refers to the biblical doctrine that God, in His sovereignty, chooses certain individuals or groups for a specific purpose or destiny. This concept is rooted in the understanding of God's omniscience and omnipotence, where He exercises His will in the affairs of humanity. The doctrine of election is prominently featured in both the Old and New Testaments, illustrating God's sovereign choice in various contexts.

In the Old Testament, the election is evident in God's choice of Israel as His chosen people. Deuteronomy 7:6 states, "For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession, above all peoples on the face of the earth." This election was not based on Israel's merit but on God's love and faithfulness to His covenant with Abraham.

In the New Testament, the doctrine of election is further developed, particularly in the writings of the Apostle Paul. In Ephesians 1:4-5 , Paul writes, "For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will." Here, election is linked to God's eternal purpose and grace, emphasizing that believers are chosen in Christ before the creation of the world.

The concept of election is also closely associated with the idea of predestination. Romans 8:29-30 states, "For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers. And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified." This passage highlights the sequence of God's salvific plan, where election leads to calling, justification, and ultimately glorification.

Divine Purpose

Divine purpose refers to God's overarching plan and intention for creation and humanity. It encompasses His will and the fulfillment of His divine objectives throughout history. The Bible reveals that God's purpose is ultimately centered on His glory and the redemption of His creation through Jesus Christ.

In the Old Testament, God's purpose is often revealed through His covenants and promises. For instance, God's covenant with Abraham in Genesis 12:2-3 states, "I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you, and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you." This covenant underscores God's purpose to bless all nations through Abraham's descendants.

The New Testament further elucidates God's purpose through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:9-10 declares, "And He has made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to bring all things in heaven and on earth together in Christ." This passage reveals that God's purpose is to unite all things under Christ's lordship, culminating in the restoration of creation.

Moreover, God's purpose involves the sanctification and transformation of believers. Romans 8:28 assures, "And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose." This verse highlights that God's purpose is not only cosmic but also personal, working in the lives of individuals to conform them to the image of His Son.

Throughout Scripture, divine election and purpose are intertwined, demonstrating God's sovereign will and redemptive plan. These doctrines affirm that God's choices and purposes are ultimately for His glory and the good of those who are called according to His will.