Does God give everyone a chance to be saved?

Does God give everyone a chance to be saved?

The question has been on the hearts of most believers for about as long as we have known that God offered salvation. And, for almost as long, there has been a divergence of opinions on the matter. Good men, for good reasons, hold strongly to opposing opinions. However, I do believe God offers enough insight into the matter that we can reach a reasonable understanding. I will restrict my answer, for the sake of time and space, to 3 simple passages which give sufficient support to God’s all-inclusive love.

First, look closely at the most famous passage in the Bible, John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (v.17) For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him.” Verse sixteen makes it clear that God loves the World. Can anyone reasonable suggest that Jesus only meant to suggest God’s love was designated to fewer than ‘everyone’ in the world? And it was for the ‘everyone’ of verse sixteen that Jesus was given, so that “whosoever believes” could receive “everlasting life.” God (v.17) sent His Son “into the world” for the express purpose, “…that the world might be saved through Him.” If God did not give everyone a chance, by whatever means He may have chosen, then how could Jesus have made such a broad and all-encompassing remark? The clear intent of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ was, according to verse 17, the salvation of the world.

If we went no further at all, this single passage, John 3:16-17, would have offered an affirmation to the question. However, turning now to Peter’s writings we find reference to God’s express desire to see “all” people saved. 2Peter 3:7-9 “But the present heavens and the earth being kept in store by the same Word, are being kept for fire until the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. (v.8) But, beloved, let not this one thing be hidden from you, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. (v.9) The Lord is not slow concerning His promise, as some count slowness, but is long-suffering toward us, not purposing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” In a discussion on the righteous judgment of God against sin, Peter makes a very enlightening statement. In verse seven he expresses the fact that God’s judgment against sin is being suppressed. This present world is being held in tact and preserved, “by the same Word…until the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.” Time (v.8) is not the issue since time is not relevant to God. Then, what is the issue? Peter says, the Lord is not postponing his judgment against this sin-filled world out of procrastination (“slow…as some men count slowness...”). Instead, it is out of His great patience, or long-suffering (v.9) for mankind (“us”) that He holds back His judgment. The word for long-suffering here shows forbearance, patience, or a patient endurance. This leaves us wondering, what was so important that the judgment we so deserved was held back by the hand of God? And more importantly, why was it held back? The answer is in the same verse. God never purposed that “any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” If God did not “purpose” for us to suffer the judgment of sin, and if He held back His own judgment in an effort to allow every man to be saved, it is only reasonable to assume He also gave them that opportunity…at least once.

Finally, the Apostle Paul offers insight into God’s desire for mankind. 1Timothy 2:4-6 “…who (that is ‘God’) will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (v.5) For God is one, and there is one Mediator of God and of men, the Man Christ Jesus, (v.6) who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” Verses five and six express the nature and His work. In verse five we learn God is “one,” He is singular in His nature and purpose. And, we see there is only one way a person can come to Him. Jesus is the only means by which a person can approach God. That means we must learn of Christ since there is no other way to approach God. And, (v.6) Christ is the one who paid (“gave Himself a ransom for all”) the sin debt each of us owed. This is the message (v.6) which will be testified. What message? The message which is to be testified is not only in verses 5-6. The first part of the message is found in verse four. Paul says, “(God) will have all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” It is God’s “will” (v.4) that all men be saved. I learned a valuable lesson about the English word “all” many years ago, “all means all, and that is all, all means.” If God’s desire is to see “all” men saved, if it is his “will” that all “come to a knowledge of the truth” then, how could we possibly imagine that he would condemn a soul to hell when that person never even had a chance to be saved.

Let me clarify, I do not know the mind of God, except as it is expressed within His written Word. Here, in these few passages, we see that God desires all men to be saved, to come to a saving knowledge of the sacrifice Jesus Christ made on our behalf. And, it is clear from these passages that He withholds final judgment as He patiently waits for each person to make their final decision.

How will God judge other people? I can only respond with a reminder that we are responsible for the knowledge we have. It is not a part of my calling to analyze how God will judge a person in a third-world country. My calling is clear. I know the gospel message and I know the Great Commandment, in Matthew 28:18-20 we are commissioned to go, “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, All authority is given to Me in Heaven and in earth. (v.19) Therefore go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (v.20) teaching them to observe all things, whatever I commanded you. And, behold, I am with you all the days until the end of the world. Amen.” Critiquing “how” God will judge another person is not a part of the calling God placed upon any of us. Understand that people throughout the world are lost. They are in danger of hell and in need of the Savior.  Respond to the call of the Great Commission and take the Gospel message even to their part of the world. God wants to reach them with the Gospel message and it is God’s will to save them. However, God has given to each of us the responsibility to go.