Christians only please: I believe in election but how does that fit in with free will?

You just asked one of the top 4 toughest theological questions, and I don't understand it fully.

The phrase "the elect" was frequently used by Christians to refer to themselves ("Christian" on the other hand was a derogatory term used by the non-Christians). It appears throughout the New Testament, however the 1&2 Peter and Romans deal with its implications.

Note that Peter was chosen by Jesus, not the other way around. Peter is depicted in the gospels as a bumbling fool. Certainly not a leader. What's more, Paul (number 1 opponent of Christianity turned most influencial leader in Christian history) considered himself the least likely person to be a member of the church, let alone a leader in it (this being to show God's glory through the extremely unlikely situation).

He was elected by God. Jesus FOUND HIM and 'turned him around'. This amazing fact blew Pauls mind, and he believed that God must have chosen him from the beginning.

Conclusion: God electing people for his purpose doesn't exclude people from exercising their free will. God does things that he has chosen to do, and are obviously not the work of man, BUT HE'S NOT RUNNING A PUPPET SHOW.

Also check out 2 Peter 1, where it talks about making your election sure.

Well if we are talking Election in Political terms lets just say that in an Election we cast our votes to determine who we want in this or that Political office.

When I did some Petition gathering recently this one Pastor who splits tickets on Election Ballots said that he was before accused of endorsing Bush in his Church when in reality what he did was talk about the issues to make sure a Christian would think about who to vote for.

Even some of the Democrats who attend the Church admitted he did not put up an endorsement for any Candidate in his Church.

You mean, that Christians are chosen? Well, I believe we all have the freedom of choice to do as we choose, but God knows already who will love and follow Him.

Ephesians 2:8-9:

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

When looking through the eyes of man in this physical time frame-"Free Will"

1 Timothy 1:13

although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

Hebrews 3:12

Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God.

Hebrews 12:15

looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled.

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When looking through the eyes of God who sees all of earh's history as one completed plan and done deal-"Predestined"

John 15:16

You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.

Ephesians 1:5

having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.

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It is sort of like the promise given to Rahab when the spies hid in her home. They told her to hang a scarlet cord in the window, whoever stays in the house when the attack is made, they will be saved. However, if they do not stay in the house, they will not be saved. The same went with the Passover with the blood on the doorposts. Here is a good example:

It was prophesied to Paul that everyone in the tossed ship will be saved. Only the vessel will be destroyed. However, when men were trying to escape in a dinghy, he said, "Unless they stay with the boat, they cannot be saved." So as long as we stay in Jesus, we are saved, and no one can pluck us out of His or His Father's hand. However, in my freewill choice I decide to abandon Jesus, I cannot be saved. However, from God's point of view, He read the book of Acts before it happened, so He knew the outcome anyway. Same way with us. He read our book before we were born--and He chose me anyway.

"Election" is one possible translation -- other translations are, called or invited...

"Invited" brings out the meaning more clearly. Remember the parable of the wedding guests; all those people were invited, but they freely chose not to come.

God chooses who to invite; the invitee chooses to accept or not. And, of course, God isn't interested in verbal answers; he wants to see the Christian walk in action.

I believe that God "elects" (or chooses) whoever puts his or her faith in Him. He doesn't have to save these people, but he has chosen to do so. We have the choice (because of our free will) to place our faith in him or not.

You are incorrectly assuming whoever answers your question will agree with you. Or that anyone understands what you are talking about. Or then this is a philosophical question and unanswerable.

As far as it goes, I don't really believe that there is something called free will. Its simply logical that free will and election can't fit each other. If God chooses the men whom he wants to save, then how can the question of free will arise. Can you believe in election and then say that you came to the Lord out of your free will. If you believe in election you have to reject free will and if you believe in free will you have to reject election. For the two cannot go hand in hand.

"And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life."—John 5:40.

—"He is able to save to the uttermost them that come unto him." Every man who comes to Christ will find that Christ is able to save him and able to save him to the uttermost extent of his sin, Christ says to every one who comes to him, "Come, poor sinner, thou needst not ask whether I have power to save. I will not ask thee how far thou hast gone into sin; I am able to save thee to the uttermost." And there is no one on earth can go beyond God's "uttermost."

"Him that cometh to me, [mark the promises are nearly always to the coming ones] I will in no wise cast out." Every man that comes shall find the door of Christ's house opened—and the door of his heart too. Every man that comes—I say it in the broadest sense—shall find that Christ has mercy for him. But the fact of the matter is that only people who are chosen can come.

"No man can come to me except the father who sent me draw him"

So unless God starts working it is impossible by human nature to come to christ. we do have a free will to make choices; both good and evil. But we do not have free will when it comes to the question of choosing christ because it is not possible for any man to choose christ unless the father brings him to it.

Joh 15:16 You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and ordained you that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatever you shall ask of the Father in My name, He may give it to you.

Was there any character in the Bible who choose God himself/ herself without God choosing them first? For all of the faithful were chosen by God and kept by him as well. And who ever is chosen by God will be kept by him as well, and sutained by his power!

I hope that its clear.. was an eye opener to me as well cos I did a small study on it when I was searching for answers!

you can choose who to vote for