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Thread Title ... Are all born-again Christians part of God’s elect?
I'm like everyone else ... I think it would be nice if election included sanctification!
However, I see too many problems in Scripture for this to be the case.
Scripture references are available for all of the points in blue.
- God’s elect are foreknown, predestined, chosen, called
- God’s guardian angels protect God’s elect (at least until they become believers)
- God gives the gift of faith to His elect
- God gives His elect to Jesus
- God creates born-again believers by placing the Holy Spirit in their hearts
- Believers are warned to first count the cost before continuing
- God’s plan has always been to accomplish His goals with the co-operation of man
- Sanctification … “God chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit”
- Major points of sanctification: holiness, perfection, love, forgiveness
- Church members are given a multitude of dire warnings to pursue holiness
- God promises born-again believers that they will be sanctified, IF they really co-operate
IMO, it is very possible for a born-again Christian to NOT co-operate with being sanctified.
Therefore IMO, there are 3 types of people in the churches (along with the curious and the seekers):
(1) the converted ... believe the gospel in their minds, but not in their hearts
(2) the born-again ... have been given the Holy Spirit in their hearts, but resist full sanctification
(3) the elect ... really willing to pay the price to be sanctified unto holiness by the Holy Spirit
Therefore IMO, it is possible to be born-again, but not be part of the elect who attain salvation.