Just as some of the Corinthian believers got distracted from the main issue by saying they were of Paul or Apollos rather than focusing on being of Christ, so too can we today if we get caught up by trying to solve the paradox of God’s sovereignty and the free choice of man.
And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. | 1 John 4:14
And through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. | Colossians 1:20
As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it. | John 12:47
All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. | John 6:37
And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. | Acts 13:48
But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them–bringing swift destruction on themselves. | 2 Peter 2:1
But when He who had set me apart, even from my mother’s womb, and called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles… | Galatians 1:15,16
choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve. | Josh. 24:15
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. | Mt. 11:28
Christ “takes away the sin of the world,” God loves the “world” and Jesus is “Savior of the world.” So the atonement is universal, not limited. | John 1:29
For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. | Jude 1:4
For they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed. | I Peter 2:8
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.” So God’s grace is available to everyone. | Titus 2:11
God is “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” | 2 Peter 3:9
God is the Savior of all men. | 1 Timothy 4:10
God desires “all” to be saved. | 1 Timothy 2:3-4
God gives every man a “measure of faith,” so all have the ability to choose to accept God’s offer of salvation. | Romans 12:3
If a righteous person turns from his righteousness he will die. So people can loose their salvation. And God has “no pleasure in the death of one who dies.” | Ezekiel 18:24, 32
Jerusalem represents individual Jews who are capable of resisting God’s grace. Therefore irresistible grace is not true. | Matthew 23:37
Let them be blotted out of the book of life” indicates people can lose their salvation. | Psalm 69:28
No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. | John 6:44,65
The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. | 2 Peter 3:9
You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain… | John 15:16
We are not victims of blind fate; neither are we able to do anything unless God wills it. We must acknowledge God’s sovereignty and omniscience and the free will of man. We must accept the tensions that such a position creates. May God make us those who rest in His providence and who are adamant about doing all that we can by His strength and grace to make a difference in this world.