Post 98: Non-elect Christians?

Warning: on the "Heartburn Scale" of 1-10, this post will be about an eight for many Christians.

I believe that I am a non-elect Christian.

I'm aware that many of you will consider that statement to be an oxymoron. Let me explain.

"The Rest"

In the eleventh chapter of the book of Romans, Paul divides the entire nation of Israel into two groups: "the elect" and "the rest"--aka, the non-elect (Romans 11:7). Paul explains that the elect was the remnant, chosen by God, who "found what they were looking for". I take that to mean that God divinely opened their eyes to the truth of the gospel, revealing Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah.

By contrast, the other group--the non-elect--were actually supernaturally prevented from believing (vv. 8-10).

as it is written, "God gave [the non-elect] a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very day." And David says, "Let their table become... a stumbling block for them...” (Romans 11:8-10)

It seems God divinely enabled some to believe in Jesus as the Messiah (“the elect”) yet intentionally "stumbled" all others ("the rest"), preventing them from obtaining the same grace. Why?

Hope for "the Rest"

Paul goes on to explain that God intended to use the "stumbling" of the non-elect Jews to bring salvation to the Gentiles, thereby provoking jealousy in the hope that many of the non-elect will turn and be saved!

"Did (the non-elect) stumble that they might fall? By no means!" (Romans 11:11).

With those words, Paul assures the saints in Rome that God's purpose for causing the stumbling of the non-elect was not a permanent condition that would keep them from finding eternal life. "Did they stumble that they might fall? By no means."

God was desiring that even the non-elect Jews be saved. This is made clear a few verses later when Paul writes,

And ... if [the non-elect] do not continue in their unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. (Romans 11:23)

Clearly, the non-elect ("the rest") will have the ability to believe the gospel and be saved, and when they do, they will become... well... Christians. Non-elect Christians.

"Outsiders"

Another term that is used in the New Testament for a non-elect person is an "outsider".

One of the distinguishing features of the elect in the New Testament was their supernatural gifting. Both Paul and Peter affirm that each of the elect in the early churches was glorified by God with spiritual gifting.

To each [of you] is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. (1Corinthians 12:7)

As each [of you] has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: (1Peter 4:10)

In the fourteenth chapter of Paul's first letter to the church in Corinth, he speaks of "outsiders" who enter the church. The Greek word for "outsider" (idiōtēs) is believed by many scholars to be a reference to an ungifted person--that is, a non-elect person.

Jesus also makes reference to "outsiders" in the gospel of Mark when he tells his apostles,

"To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables... " (Mar 4:10-12)

Again, while those on the inside--in this case, the Twelve--were given "the secret of the kingdom" and gifted by God for a special, critical redemptive purpose, those on the outside--the non-elect--were temporarily prevented from understanding.

Hope for the "Outsiders"

In Paul's letter to the church in Corinth, he encourages the elect saints to desire the gift of prophecy because prophecy has the power to convict and to bless the outsider.

But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God ...

(1Corinthians 14:24-25)

Upon hearing the words of God spoken by the elect--those gifted to prophesy, the "outsider"--a non-elect person--is convicted and believes. He becomes... well... a Christian. A non-elect Christian.

Hope for All

In the twelfth chapter of the gospel of John, Jesus reminds us that after the cross, everything changes. No longer will "outsiders" or "the rest" be divinely prevented from receiving and believing the gospel.

And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." (John 12:32)

With this verse, we see that the divine cloaking of the gospel during the formation of the early church was temporary. After the cross, the door of saving grace swings wide open. Salvation is offered to all--the elect and the non-elect. Paul affirms this when he writes:

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. (Titus 2:11)

Final Thoughts

Contrary to what many believe, there is no evidence that a non-elect person becomes "elect" upon belief. The testimony of Scripture is that, when we believe, we are automatically, supernaturally translated/baptized into Christ. When we believe, we become "Christians", "saints", "disciples", "believers", "brothers/sisters in Christ", "children of God", etc.... blessed, but not "elect".

There seems to be two defining characteristics of the elect in the New Testament. They were (1) divinely enabled to be uncommonly receptive to the gospel message and, (2) they were supernaturally gifted to accomplish a critical redemptive purpose--that is, the growth of the church through the persuasion of the (non-elect) world of the truth of the gospel.

I am a non-elect Christian. I did not receive the gospel with uncommon receptivity nor was I supernaturally gifted for a critical redemptive purpose. Yet, I believe God has done a work in my heart and in my life, and yes, I have some God-given natural abilities and yes, God can use me to further the kingdom, and no, I don't believe that God is done with me so, yes, he could still choose me for some special purpose but no, as of now, I haven't been so chosen nor divinely gifted nor deemed critical to God's overall plan of redemption.

So, I am simply a (non-elect) Christian--an "outsider"; one of "the rest" who responded to God's grace in my life. I heard the gospel, believed the gospel, received the Holy Spirit... and that is blessing enough.

Resources

I know this might be a bit confusing for some. For more information regarding this biblical, non-contradictory understanding of divine election, please consider reading my book.

Here's a link: God's Elect: The Chosen Generation: | Barnes & Noble®

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