Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity.... - 2 Timothy 1:8–9
A debate that will never be settled (this side of eternity) concerns God's sovereignty and man's responsibility. For some reason many believe they cannot be resolved and therefore seek to totally eradicate one or the other for the sake of preserving a personal theological position. Often these debates are hurtful to the cause of Christ and painful to those who enter into them.
God is sovereign or He is not God. Man is responsible for his actions and hell is a just punishment for sinful disobedience of God's righteous standard. As the verse clearly states, God saves and calls according to His own purpose and grace given in Christ before time began; yet, it is man's unbelief that keeps Him from the Father.
Now, we can argue and debate it further but in the meantime millions enter a Christless eternity while we concern ourselves with who is at fault. May the gospel of Jesus Christ be our focus and our time spent in sharing it with those who have never heard!
No man is excluded from calling upon God, the gate of salvation is set open unto all men: neither is there any other thing which keeps us back from entering in, save only our own unbelief. - John Calvin
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