The doctrine of unconditional election is one of the largest platforms for debate within the Christian community. There are those who believe that God has left the choice of each individual's salvation up to themselves, as to whether or not they will choose to believe and therefore be saved. However, the doctrine of election teaches something quite different. The bible talks frequently of election in the new testament, even using the specific word itself. So the question at hand is not "Does the Bible talk about Election?" but rather "What does the Bible mean when it talks about election?"
Let us start with a simple and clear definition of the doctrine of unconditional election. It is extremely important that this definition be understood clearly, to avoid unwanted emotional reactions and misunderstandings. The doctrine of election teaches: "Before the foundation of the world, God chooses who will be saved from their sin through faith, and therefore receive undeserving grace. And also, who will not be saved, but rather allowed to continue in their sin and rebellion, and therefore deserve to perish."
Now it is important to note that based on what the bible says about the condition of men in sin, namely that no one starts of free of guilt. Instead, all are under sin according to Romans chapter 3. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Also, those who are saved according to God's choice are completely undeserving of His grace. God's free act of saving a particular people puts Him under no obligation to save each and every person as well. It is also important to note that the doctrine of election teaches that every aspect of salvation is performed and brought about by God himself, not by man.
As we look at Ephesians chapter 1 verse 4, which is addressed to believers, we see that God has chosen us in Christ before the foundation of the world. In other words, before the worlds were even created, God in his freedom and wisdom chose a particular people in Christ. Why did He do this? Verse 6 states that we are "chosen in Christ according to the good pleasure of His will, and to the praise of the glory of his grace." The doctrine of election could not be more plainly taught than it is here in the first chapter of Ephesians. It must also be noted that because we are chosen before the foundation of the world, God's choice can not be based on anything we do or have done, but instead on his own good purpose.
However, we must answer those who object on the basis of man's free will. Does salvation depend on the will of man? As we look at Romans chapter 9, verse 13 states that before the twins Jacob and Esau were born, God hated one and loved the other. The preceding verse also makes it clear that this choice of love and hate were not based on the works they had or would have done, but rather based on God's good will. Therefore, as verse sixteen states, salvation does not depend on man's will or desire, but on God's own mercy.
In addition, when we look to the book of John chapter 1 verse 13, we see that being born of God does not depend on the will of man, but rather the will of God himself. Furthermore, in Romans chapter 8 we see what is called the "Golden Chain of Redemption," which is a set of actions all being performed by God which bring about the salvation and glorification of a believer. As it is written in Romans chapter 8, "And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified." All the glory of salvation belongs to God.
A common objection to the doctrine of election is that God is love, and a loving God would never choose those who are and are not saved. There is a fundamental problem with this argument, as it assumes that all men start off in a neutral, guilt free state. But this is not the case. All men are born in sin, and dead in trespasses and sins according to Romans chapter three and Ephesians chapter two.
Just as important is the fact that God is a just and holy God, and will by no means let the wicked go unpunished. God, being a just God, must not let sin go unpunished. The mere fact that he freely chooses to save even one single person is the greatest demonstration of his Love.
There are many more aspects and verses that can be discussed with regard to the doctrine of election. However, the main points that need to be taken are the fact that it is God who is in control. It is God who gets the glory for everything He chooses to do. His free choice to save believers for his own Glory must not be ignored. Human pride needs to be set aside, and recognize that as we read deep into the bible we find a God centered message, not a man centered one. God does not save us for our own benefit or because of anything we do, but rather saves us for Himself. As it is said: "God saved you by Himself, for Himself, and from Himself."
