Election Isn’t Arbitrary: Christ Reveals God’s Heart in Choosing Us

The Christian life is a process of conformity to the image of Christ, of mortification of sin, and of living a life of righteousness similar to Christ’s life. Furthermore, the centrality of Christ in election means that election is not arbitrary or capricious. Christ is the revelation of God’s character, of his justice, of his mercy, and of his love. Election made in Christ is therefore an election that reveals the most beautiful and just attributes of God. It is not God acting in a way disconnected from or contrary to his character. It is God acting in complete accordance with who he is in Christ. For Calvin, understanding that Christ is the foundation of election is also understanding that there is no condemnation for the elect who are in Christ. Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. A charge against an elect is a charge against Christ. For the elect is in Christ. And since Christ has completely paid the price of sin and was raised in triumph, there is no power in the universe that can truly condemn the elect. Although predestination is often presented as a highly theoretical and abstract theme, John Calvin understands deeply that it has concrete and practical pastoral implications for the life of the Christian community. It is not a teaching separated from the experiential reality of believers. Rather, it is a teaching that profoundly transforms how the community experiences and lives its faith. One of the most important pastoral implications of predestination is the assurance and security of salvation. In the world marked by uncertainty, by fluctuations of emotions, and by temptations that constantly seek to defeat us spiritually, the understanding that we were chosen by God before the foundation of the world offers an immovable anchor. The believer who understands predestination does not rest his confidence in the changing circumstances of life, but in God’s immutable will.