How can I know if I am one of the elect?
The question of whether or not one is among the elect of God is an important one for many Christians. The doctrine of election teaches that before the foundation of the world, God chose certain individuals to be saved and conformed to the image of Christ (Ephesians 1:4-6). This choice was not based on any foreseen faith or works, but was based solely on God’s sovereign will and grace. “So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy” (Romans 9:16).
While the Bible affirms the doctrine of election, it can be difficult for Christians to discern with certainty whether they are among the elect. The Bible does not give us a list of the elect or provide any definitive way for individuals to know if they have been chosen by God. However, Scripture does provide several indicators that can give believers assurance that God has worked or is working savingly in their lives. Here are some biblical ways to gain assurance of election:
1. Faith in Christ
Saving faith in Jesus Christ is a key evidence of election. When a person repents of sin and trusts in Christ alone for salvation, this is evidence that God has opened their heart to respond to the gospel call (Acts 13:48). Scripture promises that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (Romans 10:13). If you have genuinely trusted in Christ, you can have assurance of salvation. As Jesus said, “Whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life” (John 5:24).
2. The Internal Witness of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God (Romans 8:15-16). This internal testimony brings a settled sense of assurance to believers that they belong to Christ. The Spirit convinces and reassures Christians of their adoption into God’s family. Christians can thus have confidence based on the inner working of the Holy Spirit in their hearts. As Paul writes, “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit” (Ephesians 1:13).
3. A Love for God and His Commands
Those who love God demonstrate that they are His children (1 John 4:7). A key evidence of election is having a heart that desires to obey and please the Lord. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Love for Christ leads to obedience to His Word. Though Christians struggle with sin, they strive to honor the Lord because they love Him. This lifelong pattern of devotion is a sign that God has saved and is sanctifying them.
4. Pursuit of Holiness and Good Works
While works cannot save anyone, good works and the pursuit of holiness give evidence that someone has been saved by grace. As Paul writes, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works” (Ephesians 2:10). The regenerating work of the Holy Spirit causes Christians to bear spiritual fruit in their lives (Galatians 5:22-23). Sanctification and good deeds thus provide assurance of salvation. A simple question to ask is, “Is there evidence of God’s work in my life?” There will be if He has elected you.
5. Perseverance in the Faith
Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:27-28). God preserves those He has chosen so that they will never finally fall away but persevere to the end. The elect will endure in faith because God keeps them secure. Jude 1 calls believers “those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ.” So perseverance in the faith is a sign of election.
In summary, the Bible does not give Christians a foolproof way to know with 100% certainty if they are among the elect. But God does provide assurance of salvation for believers who exhibit faith in Christ, the inward testimony of the Spirit, love for God and others, pursuit of holiness, and perseverance in the faith. Christians should find comfort that if God has started a work in them, He will be faithful to complete it (Philippians 1:6). Rather than worrying about election, believers should press on in the gospel mission, trusting that “he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).
Additional Indicators and Warnings
Beyond the major biblical indicators highlighted above, there are other marks that can provide additional confidence (or raise warning) about whether one is truly born again:
– A conviction and awareness of sin. Those who are in Christ will feel grieved and convicted when they sin as the Holy Spirit prompts them towards holiness. “And when he [the Holy Spirit] comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment” (John 16:8).
– A doctrinal understanding of the gospel and God’s grace. While intellectual knowledge does not equal saving faith, true believers will grow in their understanding of Scripture and grasp the essential doctrines related to salvation and the gospel.
– A habitual hatred and war against sin in one’s life. The regenerate individual wages battle against their sinful flesh and desires victory over sin rather than being complacent (Romans 7:15-20, Galatians 5:16-17).
– Love and devotion for other Christians. “We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers” (1 John 3:14). Love marks true believers.
– A hunger for the Word of God. Those indwelt by the Spirit long for the Word (1 Peter 2:2), whereas false believers despise and reject Scripture. “My sheep hear my voice…and they follow me” (John 10:27).
– Chastening and discipline from God. Hebrews 12:7-8 teaches that God disciplines every son whom He receives. Chastening is a sign of God’s care, not condemnation.
In contrast, the absence of spiritual fruit and even “thorns” in one’s life can raise doubts about the genuineness of one’s profession of faith:
– Habitual sin and lack of remorse or repentance (1 John 3:4-10).
– Disregard for Scripture and lack of spiritual growth (Hebrews 5:12-14).
– No interest in Christian fellowship (1 John 2:19).
– Love of money, possessions, or the world (1 John 2:15-17).
– Unforgiveness towards others (Matthew 6:14-15).
If these warning signs describe you, it may indicate that your faith is defective and God has not yet saved you. “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!” (2 Corinthians 13:5).
Common Questions Related to Election
Beyond “How can I know if I am one of the elect,” there are several other questions people frequently ask regarding the doctrine of election that warrant further discussion:
1. What if I think I’m elect but fall away later in life?
This is unlikely if God has truly saved you. Jesus assures that “all that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out” (John 6:37). Your faithfulness is not what secures your place in Christ – God’s faithfulness does! Those who appear to fall away may be false converts who never had genuine saving faith to begin with (1 John 2:19). But true Christians will persevere by God’s power.
2. Isn’t election based on God’s foreknowledge of our faith?
Foreseen faith is not the basis for election. God’s choice of the elect is according to His sovereign will, not human will or actions (Romans 9:16). God does not look forward in time to see who would believe in Christ and then “elect” them. Rather, God’s sovereign election is the cause of someone believing. Saving faith is a gift (Ephesians 2:8-9) given to the elect when God regenerates their hearts.
3. Doesn’t Jesus love everyone and desire all to be saved?
Yes, there is a sense in which God loves all people – He is benevolent, merciful, and desires the best for all. His general love for humanity is on display in blessings like rain, sunshine, and natural resources that all people enjoy (Matthew 5:45). Yet the Bible also teaches God has a unique, intimate love for His elect (Ephesians 5:25). Christ died to specifically save His sheep (John 10:11) – the Church – whom He loved unconditionally “to the end” (John 13:1). God desires all to come to repentance, yet because of total depravity, none will on their own. So God mercifully saves some.
4. Why evangelize if God already chose who will be saved?
Because it’s a means through which God saves His elect! Though God elected believers, we do not know who the elect are ahead of time. Therefore, we proclaim the gospel to all, through which the Spirit brings the elect to faith. Paul asserts the necessity of preaching so that people may call on Christ and be saved (Romans 10:14-17). Evangelism is God’s ordained means to bring about the salvation of His chosen ones.
5. If election is true, why bother obeying God?
This is the wrong response to the doctrine. Election is meant to comfort and assure genuine believers in God’s sure promises. It should never be used as an excuse for apathy, indifference, or disobedience. Those who presume salvation because they think they are “elect” while refusing to follow Christ only deceive themselves. Jesus said that His sheep follow Him because they know His voice (John 10:27). God’s unconditional choice should lead to gratitude, worship, and a life eagerly devoted to Him.
Conclusion
The doctrine of election is a humbling and amazing truth – that God graciously saves sinners, adopting them as His children. While the Bible does not give definitive ways to infallibly discern if one is among the elect, believers can have firm assurance of salvation by exhibiting faith in Christ, love for God, pursuit of holiness, and other spiritual fruits. Christians should take comfort that their security rests ultimately upon God’s purpose and faithfulness, not their own works. For those unsure if they are truly born again, they should passionately seek the Lord, crying out for Him to save them and transform their hearts to know, love, and obey Christ.
