Means of Election
In saving people unconditionally, God must guarantee all the means that he has for men to be saved. This means that true faith must be guaranteed. The source of this guarantee arises from the infinite worth of Christ's death to be applied to what God intended it for; like the salvation of a particular people. This is worked out by the Holy Spirit, which convicts the world of sin and righteousness. In doing this, the Holy Spirit opens hearts and eyes. This makes sinners both willing and able to exercise faith in the gospel. The goodness and grace of the gospel becomes irresistible to a rational person, so faith results. It is the result of a new nature that comes from being born again or regenerated by the Holy Spirit preceding faith. People are saved unconditionally while they are still enemies of the Cross. Yet, sinners do not remain enemies of the cross because of the things that follow election: God's calling to faith, justification by faith, and glorification.
Read more about this topic: Unconditional Election
Famous quotes containing the words means of, means and/or election:
“The American father ... is never seen in London. He passes his life entirely in Wall Street and communicates with his family once a month by means of a telegram in cipher.”
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900)
“The almighty has never made known to any body at what time he created [the world], nor will he tell any body when he means to put an end to it, if ever he means to do it.”
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826)
“[If not re-elected in 1864] then it will be my duty to so co-operate with the President elect, as to save the Union between the election and the inauguration; as he will have secured his election on such ground that he can not possibly save it afterwards.”
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865)