Col_3:12 - Elect Because of Faith In Christ; Not, Elected For Salvation!

24. Colossians 3:12 - Elect Because of Faith In Christ; Not, Elected For Salvation!

"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering." - Colossians 3:12

Mr. Nettleton has a habit of using little select quotes from verses in order to endorse his position of "election to salvation," without giving any context.  One such instance is found on page 33 of his book and I should like to quote his comments.

"God addresses us as 'the elect of God. (Colossians 3:12)."

“Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.”- (1 Thessalonians 1:4).

We are going to compare the whole verse of Colossians 3:12 and see if it agrees with the rest of the Scriptures given in the book of Colossians. Notice carefully, if you will, that Paul is addressing Christians at Colosse. He is speaking to those who have received Christ as Savior, as the elect, not that he is stating the mind of God to elect certain ones to be saved. Here, he is speaking to those who are already saved and instructing them as to what they ought to do since they are saved. This would totally agree with other Scriptures in Colossians. For example. In Colossians 1:4, Paul stated in writing to the Colossians:

"Since we heard of your faith in Jesus Christ, and of the love which ye have to all the saints." - Colossians 1:4

There are two things to be observed: It was their faith in Christ Jesus (they had testified), then they had shown that faith "which ye have to all saints." Therefore, they had shown that "which ye have." God did not predestinate them to be saved. He did not predestinate them as far as serving Him, but it was their free choice. It is God's will but He did not make it come to pass. He left that free will for the Colossians to exercise. Again we would like to emphasize, "Since we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all saints." For anyone to just extract "the elect of God" out of Colossians 3:12 without considering the rest of the verse; or the context, would be violating the very basic principles of biblical interpretation. We find out as we go on down to Colossians 1:28 :

"Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man prefect in Christ Jesus." - Colossians 1:28

It was evident that Paul did not believe in predestination--as far as electing some to be saved and some to be lost.  Because he said that "We...warn every man."  So it is God's will that every man would be saved.