Predestination and Election

Question: Some Protestants believe in predestination. How do you know if you are one of the elect (chosen ones) to go to heaven? How do you know that you are chosen by God?

Answer: The apostle Paul, Augustine of Hippo and the Protestants believe in predestination. I believe this doctrine because it is clearly taught in the Word of God:

• For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren (Romans 8:29)

• Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified (Romans 8:30).

• He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will (Ephesians 1:4,5).

• In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will (Ephesians 1:11).

If you believe that the Bible is God's Word, you too should believe in predestination. From eternity past God has determined and ordained the destiny of His chosen people to salvation and glory.

Now, to answer your question, "How do I know whether I'm chosen or not?" The apostle Peter encourages us to "give diligence to make your calling and election sure" i.e. to be sure that we are truly called and chosen by God.

How can a person know whether he is called and chosen by God or not? After all, the elect do not have a label on their forehead reading: "I am elect." Nonetheless they can know because when God's eternal purpose is fulfilled, the results are unmistakable. Please read the following:

"...In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise..." Ephesians 1:11-13.

Those who were "predestined" are the same who, having heard the Gospel, "trusted in Christ." They were not predestined because they believed; on the contrary, they trusted in Christ because they had been predestinated for that purpose. So, a person can know for sure that he is predestined by God if he has genuine faith in Christ. Needless to say, trust in Christ is revealed in the believer's life by love to God and neighbor, obedience to his Word and holiness.

If your confidence is not in your works and merits; but you are trusting only in Jesus Christ, then you can know that you are chosen of God.