Does God Choose To Save?

Does God Choose to Save Only Some?

Romans 9:13 says, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” Calvinists argue that this means God chose Jacob for salvation and Esau for destruction before they were even born. But Paul is quoting Malachi 1:2-3, where God speaks about the nations that came from Jacob (Israel) and Esau (Edom). God’s “hatred” of Esau was not personal but referred to the rejection of Edom as a chosen nation. Esau’s own choices led to his downfall. He despised his birthright (Genesis 25:34) and rejected God’s plan for his life. He chose his own desires over God’s will.

Romans 9:16-18 speaks about Pharaoh, saying, “So then, it does not depend on human will or effort but on God who shows mercy. For the Scripture tells Pharaoh: ‘I raised you up for this reason so that I may display my power in you and that my name may be proclaimed in the whole earth.’” Calvinists claim this means God hardened Pharaoh’s heart against his will. But in Exodus, Pharaoh first hardened his own heart (Exodus 8:15, 8:32, 9:34). He rejected God repeatedly before God confirmed his rebellion. Pharaoh had many chances to repent but refused. His own pride led to his destruction.

Do People Choose Their Own Destruction?

Romans 8:29 says, “For those he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son.” This does not mean God randomly selects who will be saved. It says God foreknew who would respond to Him. He sees every heart and knows who will accept or reject Him.

John 3:19 explains why people reject salvation: “This is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil.” The problem is not that God refuses to save people. The problem is that people refuse to be saved.

2 Thessalonians 2:10-11 reinforces this truth: “They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason, God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie.” God does not force anyone to reject Him. Those who refuse the truth bring judgment upon themselves.

God offers salvation to everyone. The only ones who miss out are those who reject it. Esau chose his own way instead of God’s. Pharaoh hardened his own heart against the truth. The same is true today. Those who refuse to believe do so by their own choice.

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