We become the elect after we’ve heard and received the good news, of the “gospel of the Christ” as Savior, believed and were saved. We as believers become the elect, elected to “be conformed to the image of His Son,” then to serve the Lord and “His body,” as He did. (cf. Philippians 2:7)

Some ask about faith for salvation, citing Rom. 12:3-4 that says “God hath dealt to Every Man the Measure of Faith,” Actually, these verses have nothing to do with salvation; context matters.

“For I say, through the Grace GIVEN unto me (Paul), to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God HATH dealt to Every Man the Measure (Gk. metron, a limited proportion) of Faith. ⁴For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:” (Rom 12:3-4)

The fact is, if you read in context you will see that faith here has nothing to do with faith for salvation. Here it’s about faith that empowers us to serve. All believers, after their salvation by “the power of the gospel of Christ,” are elected to serve, just as Christ was elected to “serve.”  (Philippians 2:7)

“Behold My SERVANT (Messiah, Jesus), Whom I uphold, My elect in Whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice and right and reveal truth to the nations (Gentiles). (Isa. 42:1)

How can I say this? I can see by ‘context’ of Rom 12:3-4 is not speaking of salvation. We know salvation by grace through faith was already settled by Paul in Romans chapters 1-5. Above, Paul is talking about Christian service. After giving us 11 chapters of important information and doctrine, Paul begins chapter 12 with the believers “service” subsequent to salvation and having received Christ’s “Spirit of life” (Rom 8:2) into their spirit as their new and empowering life. Note how Paul opens Romans 12, just before he wrote vs. 3-4, talking about service with a transformed mind. All believers are then “chosen” and “elected” to service as seen in these several verses below.

“I beseech you therefore, … that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable SERVICE. ²And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

“I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David (Israel’s King) my servant, (Psalm 89:3)

 “But (Jesus) made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a SERVANT…” (Phili. 2:7)

“Paul, a SERVANT of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;” (Titus 1:1)

So, this issue in Rom 12:1-4 does not concern faith for salvation, but rather faith for “service”! Actually, these verses are telling us believers as God’s elect can and should now trust Christ to lead them in serving Him and His purposes, such as in sharing the gospel unabashedly, or by being merciful, loving, serving the other people and especially the members of “His body.”

Paul wrote of believers having a “calling.” These are the already saved members of “the body of Christ”.

“Let every (saved) man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.” (1Cor. 7:20)

“Brethren, let every (saved) man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.” (1Cor. 7:24)

We as saved believers are “the elect” who are already securely “saved” and “sealed”! Nobody is elected to salvation, but all believers are elected to serve… after they are saved!