In one of the great action movies of the last 25 years, Mel Gibson stars as the Scottish rebel, William Wallace, whom through bravery in battle is leading Scotland to freedom from oppression. Following a great victory, William Wallace meets with the other clans and is crowned the “Main Protector” of Scotland. However, hoping to gain his allegiance, the leaders of the clans begin to ask for his support for one of their clans to be the line in which the new king comes. They begin to argue and fight over this “election” of king, until they are silenced by William, and are reminded of the need for freedom and the responsibility of the king, to free the people.

Thankfully the Trinity is not like a Scottish clan fight when it comes to our election unto salvation. Usually election, when brought up, can bring uneasiness to some and a “call to arms” for others to defend their position on this belief. However, I don’t believe that is necessary in light of what plainly the text says. God has blessed us in the past, i.e. Election. Only God existed in eternity past before the creation of the world, and he purposed to create a people for himself that would be like the Son in character (Romans 8:29-30). This electing was done in and through Christ, the Chosen One (Luke 9:35). Jesus Christ is the founder, the one who initiated, and the one who executes our salvation. Because God did this before creation we can be assured of his plan for us and that it’s for our highest good. But the reason why we are elected to salvation is in order for us to be holy and blameless. Not only will we be holy and blameless when we stand before God because of Jesus work, but as well to grow in holiness as we live our lives now. However, this means opposite is true: God chose people who were not holy and were blameworthy and deserved judgment. This is why God’s election is motivated by love (1:4). He finds pleasure in saving us and he wants us to belong to Him (1:5).