Is God Being Unfair to the Non-Elect?

Visitor:
"Bet you wouldn't be so hard hearted by saying it's "just" if you were one of the non elect. Actually I would like an explanation of how a person professing to care for his fellow man have such an attitude. Can you justify that?"

Response:
Thank you for your email. Per your inquiry, it begins by understanding that my attitude cannot change the facts. If I warn you that there is a large precipice, to be careful, I did not arrive at this conclusion because I discovered it by an attitude, but from the fact that there is really something dangerous to look out for.

The gospel is to be preached indiscriminately to all people without exception. It is the good news, a message of liberation for the captives, to set the prisoners free. All are welcome to come to Christ. God is not holding anyone back. God is not coercing them into unbelief. This is their own doing. You cannot blame God for our natural hostility toward Him. That is our fault, our responsibility. Everyone, especially me, is guilty and justly deserves God's displeasure for our active rebellion against Him. He extends his life-giving message of grace in what Christ did for sinners, enduring the suffering we justly deserve. He calls us to believe in Him and He promises He will forgive all you sins, and grant you eternal life, adopting you into his family and giving you a seat at His table. Yet, with such a magnanimous gospel, still there is a universal rejection of the gospel by men and women with hearts of stone (Ezek 36:26). God could leave all of humanity to their willful hostility to the gospel, but instead He extends mercy on many. If ten murderers are on death row and the governor commutes the sentence of five of them, is it unjust to those still on death row? No, they are still getting what they deserve... Some get justice, the others get mercy, but none get injustice. Likewise God extends his gospel summons to all people, but they universally reject it ... yet God still has mercy on many ill-deserving sinners by giving them eyes to see, ears to hear and hearts to understand and trust in Christ. That is sheer mercy, not because they naturally had a good will -- they didn't. To will is of nature, but to will aright is of grace. Your objection assumes there are some people who naturally want Christ. If that were the case, then you might have a point. .. but the bible teaches that there is no one who is righteous and none seek for God (Romans 3:11). That the message of the gospel is folly to those without the Holy Spirit (see 1 Cor 2:14).

The Apostle Paul likewise declared, "we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." 1 Cor 1:23-24

Notice that the passage teaches that there is a universal rejection to the outward call of the gospel (folly, stumbling block) but to those who are called among the Jews and Greeks, the power and wisdom of God unto salvation. All those whom God calls will believe the gospel. (see John 6:37)

This is what Jesus himself teaches. He declared, "the Spirit quickens, the flesh counts for nothing...that is why I told you and no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me grants it." John 6:63, 65

So according to Jesus, how many people will come to him unless God grants it? Jesus says "no one".

Left to themselves, men will not come to Christ, unless God grants it by the quickening of the Holy Spirit. This is what the bible teaches. It is not based on my feelings, attitude or opinion. It is simply what Jesus himself plainly explains. I am not the chef, but simply the waiter bringing you the food..

Hope this helps
John Hendryx
Monergism

Sat, 06/20/2020 - 14:17 -- john_hendryx

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