Is Election Sure?

by Terry Wane Benton

I have heard Calvinists make a distinction between “salvation” and “election.” They say we can lose our salvation but not our election. One is sure and the other is not, according to their perspective. This would mean that all who are temporarily saved from sin are not necessarily elected by God (the eternally secure number), but all who are elected will be saved. Let’s explore this idea further!

If “election” is something that is unalterable, then there is no way to make it unsure. You are either elected or not, and if elected, you couldn’t lose that position of eternal security. Yet, Peter told us what we must do to “make your calling and election sure" (II Peter 1:10). “If you do these things” (adding to your faith virtue, knowledge…perseverance, love, etc.) “you will never stumble.” What if you fail to add these graces? You could surely stumble, and if you stumble by failing to “do these things,” you have thereby made your calling and election unsure. So, we can make our election sure or unsure. It is not unalterable!

Peter calls the brethren “elect according to the foreknowledge of God” (I Peter 1:2), but later says, “If indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious” (II Peter 2:3). Could some of the “elect” be questionable on this matter? There should be no “if” about it if “elect” is the ultimate sure status that is absolute as to tasting the graciousness of the Lord.

To the Thessalonian brethren, Paul spoke of “knowing…your election by God” (I Thessalonians 1:4), but later spoke of being worried that the tempter might have tempted them, “and our labor might be in vain” (I Thessalonians 3:5). How could there be such a possibility if “election” is unalterable and sure? Paul said, “We live, if you stand fast in the Lord” (I Thessalonians 3:8). That sounds like election is not so sure because we could quit “standing fast in the Lord.”

Our conclusion is that some of the elect can indeed quit standing fast in the Lord, can be tempted so that labor for their souls becomes “in vain” (to no good ending), and they fail to make their calling and election sure. We must be wise in utilizing the great tools of victory available in Christ. Do all it takes to “make your calling and election sure.” If you do these things, you will never stumble.