Predestination

For those who are not predestined, what is their goal or purpose on earth? And what hope do they have to look forward to if they were not chosen to be saved? What if I was not elect? What am I supposed to do?

God wants all people to come to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ his Son (1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9). God gives people a time of grace to confess their sins and confess faith in Jesus Christ. If people are led to those lifelong confessions, it is only because of the work of the Holy Spirit in their hearts. Their faith was not their choosing (John 15:16). Their faith was the result of God electing them to faith (Acts 13:48; Ephesians 1:4-6; Romans 8:29-30). If people reject Jesus as their Savior, they are to blame (Ezekiel 33:11; Matthew 23:37; John 3:18-20).

The doctrine of election is intended to be a comfort to Christians, assuring them that their salvation is entirely God’s doing—from beginning to end. Their saving faith is a gift of God (Ephesians 2:8), and their faith exists because God elected them in eternity (2 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 1:9).

If, according to your question, an unbeliever wonders about election, I would encourage that person not to try to peer into eternity to understand the present but to focus on the present: “I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). I would encourage that person to make use of his or her time of grace in the best way possible: by reading and studying God’s word. It is through the word that the Holy Spirit works saving faith in hearts (Romans 10:17).

Northwestern Publishing House offers a book you would find valuable. It is “Predestination.” I commend it for your reading.