Because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. ^{2nd Thessalonians 2:13-14}

Our righteous, sovereign God chose the souls destined for heaven before the beginning of time. Salvation from the penalty of sin is predicated upon one’s faith, which is also a gift from God.

Jesus answered and said unto them, this is the work of God, that ye believe on him who he hath sent. ^{John 6:29}

He chose you, provided you with the gift of salvation, and gave you the ability to accept that gift.

So then it is not of him that willeth, not of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy. ^{Romans 9:16}

Therefore, salvation is entirely by the grace of God, not by any actions one may take.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  Not of works, lest any man should boast. ^{Ephesians 2:8-9}

God also gave humanity the free will to reject this gift, pursue their desires, and then rely on their righteousness when standing before him in judgment: YIKES!

But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. ^{Matthew 10:33}

He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.  ^{John 12:48}

This doctrine of Election is disturbing for many because they surmise that if God chooses some for salvation, then he must also choose those who are destined for Hell. But know that this cannot be true as God does not wish anyone to perish in Hell.

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. ^{2nd Peter 3:9}

For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. ^{1st Timothy 3:3-4}

God does not create people to destroy them. To choose some for salvation from an unrighteous population does not equate to choosing others for damnation, or does it? God has not enlightened mankind as to how his sovereign election relates to those who are passed over. Until he provides clarity, this remains beyond our comprehension, and by faith, we trust that God’s will is righteous and just. The Apostle Paul tells us that it is not our place to question God about why he does things the way he chooses.

Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?  ^{Romans 9:20}

Man’s Responsibility in Salvation

Man’s responsibility is to accept the gift of saving faith, to fear God, live life in grateful obedience, and tell the good news to the world.

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. ^{Ecclesiastes 12:13}

The capability to fulfill that responsibility depends on a heart receptive to the prodding of the Holy Spirit that can hear the message of Jesus Christ and believe. The prideful man with a hard heart, a conscience seared by sin, bent on pursuing the temporal lusts of the world, will not hear the Good News and believe. Perhaps, in the end, these souls were vessels of destruction to demonstrate the power and glory of God through vessels of mercy.

Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory. ^{Romans 9:21-23}