The doctrine of election is frankly quite mind-blowing. Before we allow our minds to get twisted in the concept itself, let’s simply walk through the teaching of it.

In Ephesians chapter 1, there are some pretty pointed statements about the idea of election. Verse 4 is the key. It says that God “chose” us (same Greek word as in 1 Thess 1). What does it mean that He chose us? Logically, it’s the exact opposite of man choosing God.

He chose us “before the creation of the world”. This is before you and I obviously had an opportunity to sin. He chose us to be holy and blameless.

Now this is a little gray, but it is slammed home in verse 5. God predestined us to be adopted as his sons. Our destiny was set even before we were born to get saved (adopted). We are sons – the term used over and over again for the metaphor for salvation.

God chose us before the creation of world to get saved Wow.

It became obviouse to Paul that the believers in Thessalonica were adopted in light of how they responded to the gospel. It radically transformed their lives.