Paul affirms that everything he preaches aligns with Old Testament truth (Romans 15:3-4). The progression of God’s revelation through time provides fuller explanations, yet remains completely aligned with the faith of God's elect. This common faith transcends denominations and churches, emphasizing apostolic doctrine (Titus 1:1-4).

The apostle Paul saw no contradiction between God's sovereignty and human responsibility (Romans 10:13). Salvation, from start to finish, is God's work of grace (Jonah 2:9, Ephesians 2:8, Acts 13:48). Trust in Christ stems from God's initiative through the Spirit's ministry, not human merit (Titus 3:5, Romans 3:10).

**OTHER FAITH LESSONS TO CONSIDER**

1. The Call to Confirm Our Election

"Be diligent to confirm your calling and election." (2 Peter 1:10)

The entire Christian life is to be a diligent confirmation that we belong to Christ. However, there are two significant errors we must avoid: thinking that this diligence causes us to belong to Christ or believing that we belong to Him without it. The Apostle Peter reminds us that the assurance of our election is seen in our persistent walk with God.

2. Faith as a Gift and Its Connection to Election

"They entered the synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed.” (Acts 14:1)

Even though faith is a gift of God (Ephesians 2:8) and an outcome of divine election (Acts 13:48), it is also the effect of Spirit-anointed human speaking. Paul’s Scripture writing is “for the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life.” (Titus 1:1-2)

3. The Nature of Election

Peter stated, “God chose . . . that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the gospel and believe.” (Acts 15:7)

The biblical doctrine of election is not that God foresaw who would believe so that He could choose them, but that He chose that His elect would believe. This humbling truth is foundational to how we view God and ourselves.

4. Humility and Assurance in Election

The doctrine of election gives us humility in moments of triumph and hope in adversity; it reminds us who we are, where we’re from, and where we’re going.

The double purpose of unconditional election (1 Corinthians 1:27-28) is “so that no human being might boast in the presence of God” (v. 29) and “let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord” (v. 31).

5. Election as the Foundation of Thanksgiving and Evangelism

The foundation of our thanksgiving is the humble recognition of our election by God. Romans 9:11 reminds us that the only election that gives us all we have cannot be undone, overturned, or outvoted. Unless election is the ultimate reason we’re Christians, we have some reason to boast, making election a reminder of divine mercy rather than human accomplishment. We weren't smarter, faster, or wiser to get saved. It is all by God's grace.

The doctrine of sovereign election guarantees the success of our evangelism around the world. The ultimate hope for any nation is not in its political election but in the sovereign election of God before time began.

6. The Assurance and Motivation Provided by Election

The one who denies this doctrine election that Paul mentions in Titus 1:1, etc. does so not because they know the Bible too well but too little.

Election doesn't narrow our view of who could be saved; it broadens it, for without it no one would be saved. Election protects us from thinking of salvation as depending on human whims and roots it squarely in the will of God.

Were it not for God's election, no one would ever be saved. The truth of sovereign election is so pride-crushing and heart-searching that every believer should humbly ask, "Why me, Lord?" The sovereignty of God and the mystery of election is the great motivation for missions and evangelism.

7. The Glory of Election

Election is for the glory of God, the humility of man, and the upsetting of all our pretensions about what we are owed (Eph. 1).

The election that matters most is the one that happened in eternity past. It is not for a sense of superiority but for a deeper humility.

"The only certain proof of my election is that today I am following the Lord." (R.C. Lucas)

In the end, the purpose for which God raised His elect from spiritual deadness is “so that in the coming ages He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:7) “...unto the praise of the glory of His grace.” (Ephesians 1:6)