The word church in 1 Thessalonians 1: means “a called-out people.” Whenever you read about a call in the Bible, it indicates divine election—God is calling out a people from this world (Acts 15:13–18). Seven times in John 17, our Lord referred to believers as those whom the Father gave to him out of the world (John 17:2, 6, 9, 11–12, 24). Paul stated that he knew the Thessalonians had been chosen by God (1 Thess. 1:4).
The doctrine of divine election confuses some people and frightens others, yet neither response is justified. A seminary professor once told me, “Try to explain election, and you may lose your mind. But explain it away—and you may lose your soul!”
We will never understand the total concept of election this side of heaven. But we should not ignore this important doctrine that is taught throughout the Bible. Let’s notice some obvious facts about divine election.
Salvation begins with God. “God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation” (2 Thess. 2:13). “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you” (John 15:16). “He [the Father] hath chosen us in him [Christ] before the foundation of the world” (Eph. 1:4). The entire plan of salvation was born in the heart of God long before man was created or the universe formed.
Salvation involves God’s love. Paul called these saints “brethren beloved”—not only beloved by Paul (see 1 Thess. 2:17), but also beloved by God. God’s love made Calvary possible (Rom. 5:8), and there Jesus Christ died for our sins. But it is not God’s love that saves the sinner; it is God’s grace. God in His grace gives us what we do not deserve, and God in His mercy does not give us what we do deserve. This explains why Paul often opened his letters with “Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 1:1).
Salvation involves faith. “For by grace are ye saved through faith” (Eph. 2:8). Paul, Silas (Silvanus is the Roman spelling), and Timothy brought the gospel to Thessalonica and preached in the power of God (1 Thess. 1:5). Some people who heard the message believed and turned from their vain idols to the true and living God (1 Thess. 1:9). The Spirit of God used the Word of God to generate faith (Rom. 10:17). Paul called this “sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth” (2 Thess. 2:13).
Salvation involves the Trinity. As you read this letter, you discover the doctrine of the Trinity. Christians believe in one God existing in three Persons: God the Father, and God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Keep in mind that all three Persons are involved in our salvation. This will help you escape dangerous extremes that either deny human responsibility or dilute divine sovereignty—for both are taught in the Bible.
As far as God the Father is concerned, I was saved when He chose me in Christ before the world began. As far as God the Son is concerned, I was saved when He died for me on the cross. As far as God the Holy Spirit is concerned, I was saved one Saturday night in May 1945, when I heard the Word and trusted Jesus Christ. At that moment, the entire plan fell together and I became a child of God. If you had asked me that night if I was one of the elect, I would have been speechless. At that time I knew nothing about election. But the Holy Spirit witnessed in my heart that I was a child of God.
Salvation changes the life. How did Paul know that these Thessalonians were elected of God? He saw a change in their lives. If you put 1 Thessalonians 1: next to 1 Thessalonians 1:9–10, You will get the picture: your work of faith you turned to God from idols your labor of love to serve the living and true God and patience of hope to wait for His Son from heaven
The person who claims to be one of God’s elect, but whose life has not changed, is only fooling himself. Those whom God chooses, He changes. This does not mean they are perfect, but they are possessors of a new life that cannot be hidden.
Faith, hope, and love are the three cardinal virtues of the Christian life, and the three greatest evidences of salvation. Faith must always lead to works (James 2:14–26). It has been said, “We are not saved by faith plus works, but by a faith that works.” If the Thessalonians had continued to worship their dead idols while professing faith in the living God, it would have proved that they were not among God’s elect.
Love is also an evidence of salvation: “the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Rom. 5:5). We are “taught by God to love one another” (1 Thess. 4:9). We serve Christ because we love Him; this is the “labor of love” that Paul mentioned. “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).
The third evidence of salvation is hope, waiting for Jesus Christ to return (1 Thess. 1:10). The return of Jesus Christ is the dominant theme of both of these Thessalonian letters. Unsaved people are not eagerly awaiting the Lord’s return. In fact, when our Lord catches His church up into the air, unsaved people will be totally surprised (1 Thess. 5:1–11).
Faith, hope, and love are evidences of election. These spiritual qualities are bound together and can come only from God. For further evidence, see these passages: 1 Corinthians 13:13; Romans 5:1–5; Galatians 5:5–6; Colossians 1:4–5; Hebrews 6:10–12; 10:22–24; 1 Peter 1:21–22.
A local church must be composed of elect people, those who have been saved by the grace of God. One problem today is the presence, in the church family, of unbelievers whose names may be on the church roll, but not written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Every church member should examine his heart to determine whether he has truly been born again and belongs to God’s elect.