QT 27 Jan 14, We are the elect because we elected Jesus

Matt 13:14-17 (ESV) "'You will indeed hear but never understand,

and you will indeed see but never perceive.

15 For this people's heart has grown dull,

and with their ears they can barely hear,

and their eyes they have closed,

lest they should see with their eyes

and hear with their ears

and understand with their heart

and turn, and I would heal them.'

16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.  17  Truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

NOTE: This verse is an interesting take on predestination. Jesus hides the truth because if it wasn't hid, people would repent. But the reason he hides the truth is that the people's hearts are dull, their ears can barely hear, and they have closed their eyes. Mildly hiding the message is a response to their decision. In contrast, the disciples have chosen to see and hear, and so they are blessed to know the truth. People choose their eternal destiny. God offers life to everyone, but some do not want to hear. They do not want to choose (elect) Jesus as their savior, and so they are not part of the elect. God planned long ago to save the elect, but the elect are those who will choose to hear and see, not those who do not want to hear and see. They have elected to believe in something else. But Jesus died for the whole world that anyone who believes can be saved. They become the elect when they believe, and that process started in eternity past, but their decision occurs in the here and now. We are elect because God has provided a way and made an offer, and we elected to take that offer. That isn't predetermined but it was known by God. At least that is how I understand the scriptures, and it seems to fit for me.