Are some people predestined for salvation while others are destined for condemnation? If that were true, what purpose would there be in striving to do what is right if one’s eternal fate is already fixed? Some might argue, “Since we don’t know our destiny, we should do our best in hopes of being saved.” But that sounds more like a cruel game of chance—like spiritual Russian Roulette: “Go ahead and try, but in the end, it might not matter because your outcome is already decided.” That picture doesn’t align with the just and loving nature of God revealed in Scripture.
We’re told in John 3:16 that, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” This verse clearly states that “all” have a choice to believe or not to believe.
Predestination is certainly part of God’s Holy Word. So, if God isn’t picking and choosing, how do we harmonize it with the bible. The most important question is, “Did God predestinate the individual or the plan?
There are several reasons I do not believe God predetermined a person’s eternal destiny:
- God is not a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34; Romans 2:11; Ephesians 6:9).
- It would make God responsible for the damnation of the wicked (Ezekiel 18:21-23; 33:11).
- It would deny that God wants all men to be saved (Mark 16:15-16; I Timothy 2:4; II Peter 3:9; Titus 2:11-14).
- It would refuse to accept Christ died for all men (Hebrews 2:9; I Timothy 2:6; I John 2:2; 4:14).
- It would reject man’s free will choice (John 5:40; Matthew 23:37; Revelation 22:17; John 24:15).
- It would make the call to repentance hypocritical (Matthew 11:28; Acts 17:30; II Corinthians 5:10-11; Acts 10:34-35).
From the very beginning of time, God established a plan to restore fallen humanity to the relationship once enjoyed in the garden before the fall. Acts 2:23 tells us, “This Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.” Peter reminds his audience that Jesus’ death was not an accident—it was the fulfillment of God’s sovereign and predestined plan to bring salvation through Christ. Jesus became the spotless sacrifice, offered for all who would believe. Thank you, Lord, for your gracious all-inclusive plan of redemption—a plan that embraces everyone. Through Jesus, salvation is available to all who believe in Jesus: male and female, Jew and Gentile, slave and free.
