Election and Predestination

How much of your life is in your control and how much is in God’s control? Do you have freedom to choose or are you subject to fate? Is your eternal destiny decided for you or do you get to choose one of two options? Christians emphasize different truths. When we say that we have no choice in our salvation we are overemphasizing God’s sovereignty. When we say that God cannot influence our choices, we are overemphasizing our free will. The bottom line is election and predestination are meant to communicate how transcendent, powerful, gracious, and loving God is. We, the Church, are chosen by God as conduits (e.g. jars of clay) of his grace for the redemption of creation.