Your Election of God 1 Thessalonians 1:4

As Paul continued the opening words in his letter to the Thessalonian church, he told them how he gave thanks to God for them, and how he “mentioned” them in his prayers. He also remembered “without ceasing” their “work of faith, labor of love and patience of hope” which was in “our Lord Jesus Christ” and “in the sight of God and our Father”. In chapter one and verse four of his letter, Paul declares the church members to be “brethren beloved” and shares concerning their “election of God” where we read:

Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.

The verse begins, “Knowing, brethren beloved,...” Paul began with the word, “Knowing” which means “to see, perceive, notice, discern, discover, pay attention to and observe” “brethren” which refers to “fellow believers who are united to one another by the bond of affection” “beloved” or “those who are welcomed, entertained, fond of, pleased, contented with and dearly loved”. Paul not only knew of the church members' faith, labor and patience, but also was fond of and contented with them as fellow believers in Jesus Christ.

The verse continues, “...your election of God” Paul went on to add, “your election” or “act of picking out and choosing” “of God” which refers to “the Godhead and trinity which is God the Father, Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit”. Paul said they were “chosen” by God and particularly special to Him.

When we meditate upon Paul's words, we notice the affection he had for the people within the church of Thessalonica. We should remember, these were “Gentiles” and not “Jews” as Paul, and yet Paul called them “brethren beloved”. Also, the idea of them being the “election of God” should stand out to us, because the implication is there are those who are “not” the “election of God”. Sometimes this idea challenges us as we wonder how God could “choose” some and “not choose” others. These ideas are often called Calvinism and Armenianism whereas “Calvinism” basically declares that God has “elected” certain men and has “not elected” others and there is nothing that can be done about it. “Armenianism” declares man has a “free will” and can choose or not choose to have a relationship with God. More than likely we will never settle where one idea ends and the other begins, however, the Bible teaches both. Our best choice is to simply believe both are true and not worry about reconciling them. The Lord Jesus knows everything, and therein He knows who is “elected”. He knows those who will not “choose” Him, and we do best when we become as those who are “brethren beloved” by asking Jesus Christ to come into our lives, forgive us of our sins, and be the Lord over everything we do. May He lead us in His “elected” way.

Next time Paul shares how “the word of God” came to the Thessalonians, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.