The election of God is a very profound and deep mystery, so many differing views regarding the truth of it, also so very confusing for so many in the faith.

The reformed view is called double predestination, which was originated by John Calvin. Basically what it means is that God elects some to salivation and others to damnation.

The other main view is that its up to us to choose our eternal destiny, God calls all to salvation, but not all respond to his grace.

Basically these are the two main views in the Church regarding the election. There are a few other variations that are similar to these two views.

I kinda take a completely different view on the election of God.

I always had issues with both of these positions. I know that its Gods choice in regards to our salvation into the faith, which I am in complete agreement with Calvin, but the other side of Calvin on election has always given me trouble. I had real hard time believing that God would predestine some to damnation, this just did never sit well with my view of a righteous and just creator, who I believe loves all of his creatures, whom he created.

So this view of Calvin was very confusing for me.

The other view was even harder for me to accept. If it was up to us to come to Christ then God would be a very lonely Creator. All have sinned and gone astray, none of us by nature have any desire to come to a holy God. In our true condition we are all rebels and very hostile to the nature of God.

So what is election, does God save all or only some?

One of the great truths that I believe I am starting to see, is that of the doctrine of first fruits.

When we go through Romans 9 to 11 Paul is speaking a very different kind of language than what I believe many bible expositors translate to the Church.

Remember when Paul said has God failed Israel because of their unbelief. Paul says no, not at all, the elect represent the whole nation? Paul says that all Israel will be saved, because of the election of grace of the few. The few represents the all?

So I believe the same is true of the nations. God has called some through the election of grace, which represents the whole. Why do not all come to Christ now. Its the way God chooses. He chooses parts, which represent the whole of the group.

That’s why Paul could say that all Israel will be saved, just because of the election of the part of the nation? The part represents the whole in the economy of God, the part is the guarantee of the whole.

Its clear through the writings of Paul that Gods desire is to show mercy to all. God is all inclusive toward his creatures. The first fruits is the promise of the whole batch, this is the way God looks at things. I believe this is the track that Paul was on.

Just like the earnest of the spirit, God has put a down payment on the creation, the full payment will be paid on his return from glory.

At this time in history, we live in the parts of redemption, everything is in part, but there will be a day when the whole of the redemption and rectification of the entire creation, will be paid in full.

The first fruits are here to represent the full future payment, which will be paid by the Lord at the end of the age, when he returns to rule and judge his creation.

When I study the bible, I see a complete and utter universal atonement on the cross, how can it be partial? He destroyed sin, death, the devil, hell, there is nothing left that is now able to separate his creatures from his great love, which was displayed for us on the cross.

On that great day of his power, the nations will come to him. He will be satisfied with his great sacrifice, which cost him everything he had so his creatures could be free.