I once heard a man explain what he thought the Bible taught about election by saying that GOD votes for you, the devil votes against you, and you cast the deciding vote. Besides not having any scripture to support such a ridiculous idea, the very concept does not even make sense. In order for it to be true, the devil and GOD would have to be of equal power and man would have more power than either one. On top of that, the salvation of the LORD's people would be akin to playing the lottery.
It is very common to hear some who fancy themselves preachers say such a thing as; GOD gives every man a "chance" to be saved. Some even say that GOD would be unrighteous if HE didn't give men a "chance" to saved, as if salvation is something that a man could cause to occur by an act of his own will. The scripture is very plain in its teaching that salvation is not "by chance" nor is it something that a man who is dead in trespasses and sins can enter into or have any comprehension of apart from divine intervention in awakening him to life. As long as a man entertains the idea that he can seek and find the LORD whenever he gets the notion, he will find a reason to murmur against the scriptural teaching of election. However, when a man has been convinced by the SPIRIT of GOD of the absolute barrenness of his own soul and the inability of his heart to seek out and embrace spiritual things, then that man can begin to have some comprehension of the necessity of GOD's mercy being poured out upon him to make him able to believe the gospel. That man will beat upon his breast and not so much as lift his eyes to heaven as he laments the emptiness of his own soul and the darkness of his sin which brought him to this state of ruin.
The fact that GOD has chosen to save some of Adam's benighted race will seem to that man a glorious thing and and he will rejoice in the mercy of a sovereign GOD. In time he will come to see that if it is GOD who enables a man to cry out for mercy, it is this same GOD who will keep him from falling away, though he finds himself in times of trial, doubt, and confusion which is common to all of the the blood bought sons of GOD. (see Acts 14:22; Rom.5:3;12:12; Jn.16:33; I Pet.4:12-16; Luke 16:8)
GOD is immutable (i.e.; unchangeable) in HIS person and purpose. Whatever HE undertakes to do HE accomplishes completely. The scripture plainly teaches that HE elected (i.e.; chose) a people that HE would save before the world's foundations were laid. Their election to be the recipients of redemption was not their redemption, but was only the setting of them apart to be redeemed by the later work of the LORD JESUS CHRIST. Election is not salvation but is unto salvation. Election was a necessity for them to be marked out as the ones for whom JESUS CHRIST would shed HIS precious blood but let no one ever consider that they were redeemed by anything other than the blood and righteousness of our Blessed LORD which was poured out in time at a place called Calvary. That possession (HIS elect children) which HE bought back from the law's condemnation is of such value to HIM that HE not only completely justified them by HIS death and imputed righteousness but HE has declared that HE will keep them unto the very end that they may be presented faultless before the FATHER. We see some of these lessons taught us in the account of Noah.
The work of the LORD JESUS CHRIST seems senseless to the world, but those who know themselves in need of a SAVIOR gladly embrace the provision HE has made for their redemption. The LORD told Noah to build an ark according to HIS exact specifications. No man had ever seen such a boat nor could they comprehend the necessity of such a vessel in the land wherein it was built. It had never even rained upon the earth up to that time so I am sure Noah was the laughing stock of the community as he toiled in its construction. Until a man knows himself to be lost he cannot possibly desire a way to be saved.
This was a vessel which was specifically designed for a particular number of inhabitants. A certain number of each animal which the LORD intended to preserve and a select group of humans were the ones intended to dwell in it and be delivered by it. The scripture says Noah and his family found grace in the eyes of the LORD. Grace is the only difference between those who perished in the flood and those who rode to safety in the ark. JESUS CHRIST came into the world to "save HIS people". HE shall see of the travail of HIS soul and be satisfied. (see Mat.1:21; Isa.53;11) HE is our ARK of safety.
There were provisions laid up in store for those in the ark. The LORD didn't just tell Noah to bring the animals and his family into the ark but HE also directed that Noah should put up food for all who were to be in the ark. (see Gen.6:21) The LORD could have caused them all to fall asleep and not wake up until the flood had receded, but they would have been ignorant of the unfolding of HIS deliverance. Some teach that some of the elect (other than infants and the simple) shall one day wake up in heaven not having heard the gospel. I find no indication in scripture that this occurs. The same GOD who elected HIS sons also calls them in time that they may rejoice in the knowledge of the redemptive work of CHRIST. "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified." (Romans 8:29-30)
The LORD shut the inhabitants of the ark in and secured their safety. This event has intrigued me for some time. In my mind's eye I can see the hand of the LORD closing the door which HE designed. Had HE not closed it, perhaps it could have come open and the flood waters could have overwhelmed the ark. "Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep." (Jn 10:7) "And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day." (Jn 6:39)
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