The Proper Response to the Doctrine of Election
Romans 9:6-13
We have all experienced moments of doubt; times when we wonder if God’s promises really hold true. We look at the world around us, at the state of the church, or even at our own hearts, and we ask: Has God’s plan failed? Has His word fallen short?
This is not a new question. In fact, it’s one that Paul himself anticipates in Romans 9. As he looks at Israel’s widespread rejection of Christ, he knows what people will ask: If God’s chosen people have turned away from the Messiah, does that mean His promises have failed?
Paul’s answer is a resounding no—not because every ethnic Israelite is automatically saved, but because God’s promises were never made to all of Abraham’s physical descendants. Instead, God’s covenant has always applied to those He has chosen.
To prove this, Paul gives two examples from Israel’s history:
Isaac, not Ishmael – Abraham had two sons, but only Isaac was the child of promise (Genesis 21:12). Ishmael was also Abraham’s son, yet the covenant blessings came only through Isaac, demonstrating that God’s promise is based on His sovereign choice, not human descent.
Jacob, not Esau – To make the point even stronger, Paul points to Isaac’s twin sons, Jacob and Esau. They had the same father, the same mother, and were conceived at the same time—yet God chose Jacob before they were born, before they had done anything good or bad. (Genesis 25:23). This proves that God’s election is based on His will, not human effort.
Paul summarizes this truth by quoting Malachi 1:2-3: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” This does not mean that God had emotional hatred toward Esau, but that He sovereignly chose Jacob for His redemptive purposes, while Esau was left in his sin.
Thus, Paul demonstrates that God’s promises have not failed—He has always fulfilled them according to His sovereign plan. The true children of God are not those who merely belong to Israel physically, but those whom God has chosen and called through His promise.
How Should We Respond?
This doctrine of election is often tossed around as cold and paralyzing. “Those crazy presbyterianians…” But the truth is that election has profound implications for our lives. If salvation is entirely by God’s sovereign grace, then what should our response be? Paul’s teaching in Romans 9 leads us to five essential applications:
1. Election Calls for Repentance and Faith
If Israel’s mistake was trusting in their status rather than in the Savior, we must ask: What are we trusting in? Paul’s warning is clear: religious heritage, good works, or external association do not save anyone.
Many assume that because they grew up in a Christian home, were baptized as infants, or have always gone to church, they are secure. But Paul reminds us that salvation is not inherited—it is received through faith. The Israelites had all the external privileges, yet many rejected Christ. The same danger exists today.
Paul later writes in Romans 10:9-10: “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
And Jesus Himself assures us in John 6:37: “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.”
Are you trusting in Christ alone? Or are you relying on something else to preserve you? The doctrine of election does not eliminate the necessity of faith—it calls us to it!
2. Election Offers Assurance and Comfort
If salvation is based on God’s sovereign choice rather than our fickle hearts, then our salvation is secure—not because of our grip on Christ, but because of His grip on us.
Think about it: if our salvation depended on us, could we ever truly rest? We struggle daily with sin, doubt, and inconsistency. But God’s electing love does not waver. It is rooted in His eternal purpose, not our temporary performance.
Paul makes this clear in Romans 8:30: “And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.”
There is no break in that chain—what God begins, He brings to completion. If He has set His love upon you, He will not let you go.
This doctrine should drive believers to rest in God’s grace rather than live in fear of losing His favor. You cannot lose your salvation—because it was never yours to obtain in the first place.
3. Election Motivates Evangelistic Zeal
Some ask, “If God elects, why evangelize?” Paul himself—who teaches election so clearly—also devoted his life to preaching the gospel. Why? Because election is not an excuse for passivity but the very reason for boldness in evangelism.
A farmer sows seed, trusting that the rain will come. He does not know which seeds will sprout, but he sows faithfully. So too, we preach the gospel, trusting that God will bring fruit from it.
Ecclesiastes 11:6 captures this well: “In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good.”
God has ordained both the means and the ends of salvation. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation for all who believe (Romans 1:16)—and God brings His elect to faith through the preaching of that gospel.
We preach the gospel and invite neighbors to church and disciple our children because God has people who will hear and believe. This should fuel confidence, urgency, and joy in sharing Christ with others.
4. Election Warns Against False Security
Many people assume they are Christians because of their religious background, moral behavior, or outward involvement in the church. But the doctrine of election warns us against trusting in anything but Christ Himself.
The Jews assumed they were secure because of their connection to Abraham. Jesus rebuked this false confidence in John 8:39-44, telling them: “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works Abraham did… You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires.”
Outward religion is no substitute for inward regeneration. Sitting in church does not make someone a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes someone a car.
The One who made you calls for righteousness—but none is righteous (Romans 3:10). That means you need righteousness from outside of yourself—and God has provided it in Jesus.
Do not rest in rituals, religious knowledge, or moral effort. Rest in Christ alone.
5. Election Calls Us to Worship
If we truly understand election, it should not make us arrogant—it should make us fall on our knees in wonder, love, and praise.
Why would God choose us? Why would He set His love on sinners who deserve nothing but wrath?
The Westminster Confession of Faith (3.8) beautifully describes the right response to this doctrine: “The doctrine of this high mystery of predestination is to be handled with special prudence and care… so shall this doctrine afford matter of praise, reverence, and admiration of God; and of humility, diligence, and abundant consolation to all that sincerely obey the gospel.”
Isaac Watts captured this humility in his hymn: “Why was I made to hear Thy voice, and enter while there’s room, When thousands make a wretched choice, and rather starve than come?”
Election is not about boasting—it is about wonder and gratitude. It should stir within us humility, joy, and a longing to praise God for His undeserved mercy.
God’s Word has not failed—it always accomplishes His purpose. Salvation is not based on our efforts, status, or merit, but on God’s gracious choice.
The question before us is not whether God’s promises stand firm, but whether we are truly trusting in the promise He has made to us in Christ.