Now I understand what we are talking about. This, according to Got Answers. “The Bible teaches that God chooses people based on His own purposes and His desire to show grace to undeserving sinners. Ephesians 1:4–6 says, “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.” He chose in love, in accordance with His pleasure and will, so that He would be glorified. God’s election has nothing to do with what the elect would or would not do.
God did not choose everyone. If He had, then everyone would come to faith in Christ. He chose some, and He left others to their own desires. Left to ourselves, all of us would continue in our rebellion and reject Christ. God chose to pursue some, convict them of their need, and lead them to faith. It is because of God’s choice that anyone comes to faith in Christ. Jesus said, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day” (John 6:44).
For those who may not know, what is the Doctrine of Election? The term comes from the Greek word eklegomai, which means “to pick out” or “to choose.” In a theological context, it generally falls into three main interpretations: Calvinism - says the belief that before the foundation of the world, God chose certain individuals for salvation based solely on His sovereign will, not on any foreseen merit or faith in the person.
Arminianism - says the belief that God chooses those whom He foreknows will freely choose to have faith in Jesus Christ. In this view, “election” is conditioned on the human response.
Then you have the Corporate Election, which says that God elects a group (like the Nation of Israel or the Church “in Christ”), and individuals participate in that election by being part of that group.
Is it Biblical? The word “elect” and the concept of God choosing people appear frequently in the Bible. The debate isn’t usually over if an election exists, but how it works, Ephesians 1:4-5
“Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love, he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,”
“So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.” Romans 9:16.
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.” John 15-16
Now I have found critics of unconditional election argue that it contradicts the Biblical themes of human responsibility and God’s universal love.
“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9
1 Timothy 2:4, Romans 8:29 ETC. If you are asking me where I stand, I would have to go with God choosing those whom He foreknows will freely choose to have faith in Jesus Christ. Why would God waste time? Since God is outside of time, He is in the past, present, and future; He already knows what we will choose. So it is still free will on our part; God just knows what that choice will be. I do not think God gets surprised often.
Peter