9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
1 Cor 1:27-28
27 But
God chose the foolish things of the world
to shame the wise;
God chose the weak things of the world
to shame the strong.
28
God chose the lowly things of this world
and the despised things—
and the things that are not—
to nullify the things that are,
This is a classic passage that shows clearly that election is to service.
The red words are who God has chosen/elected. The blue words are the purpose for which God chose them.
How about Paul, who the Calvinists love to point to:
Acts 9:15 - But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go!
This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.
Again, the red words is who God chose; Paul.
The blue words is the specific purpose for choosing Paul; to proclaim God's name to the Gentiles.
Election is to service.
Eph 1:4 - For
he chose us in him before the creation of the world
to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love
Again, red words is who God chose. And the "us" is defined in v.19 as "us who believe". iow, God chose believers. Psst: believers are already saved. The blue words refer to the purpose of God choosing believers: to be holy and blameless.
1 Peter 1:1-2
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia,
2
who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit,
to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
Again, the red words refer to who God has chosen. Green words show HOW God chooses/elects: according to His foreknowledge
Blue words specifies the purpose for which God has chosen these believers: service.
I could go on and one, but I hope you are seeing the pattern.