Attempts to understand and reconcile the sovereignty of God with the free will of mankind is a conundrum that, in humanistic terms, seems to be without resolution. The Bible clearly presents two foundational truths of salvation that seem to contradict each other. On the one hand, we are told that God chose those who will be saved from condemnation before the beginning of time. ^{Ephesians 1:4} On the other hand, we are told that “Whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” ^{John 3:16} So, which is it? Do we choose God, or does he choose us?

The Will and Work of God

In the verses below, we see that before the beginning of time, God chose those who would be his people, a royal priesthood, holy and blameless, sanctified to mirror the character, behavior, and moral likeness of his Son, and made partakers of the coming glory of Jesus Christ.

According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will. ^{Ephesians 1:4-5}

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light ^{1st Peter 2:9}

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. ^{2 Thessalonians 2:13-14}

We also see that God, by his grace (giving undeserved favor) and mercy (not dispensing the punishment deserved), redeems unrighteous and unworthy people from Satan’s domain of darkness and slavery to sin, delivering them into the Kingdom of his Son.

The operation of redemption is predicated on faith that Jesus is who he claimed to be. Faith, enabled by God and not conjured by will or effort, is a gift. He chose you, provided you with the gift of salvation, and gave you the ability to accept it. Salvation, therefore, is entirely facilitated and achieved by 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}

No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. ^{John 6:44}

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

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

Man’s Free Will to Accept or Reject

Created in the “image of God” ^{Genesis 1:26} humanity is endowed with free will – the ability to make independent choices. Free will is essential because only those who believe, love, and serve God of their own volition can participate in a sincere, genuine relationship with him. Without free will, professions of faith, love, devotion, worship, gratitude, and service lack any merit at all.

It is also by free will that man can reject the word of God, the offer of salvation, reconciliation, and Jesus as the Son of God. Though chosen, no one is coerced. The Jewish Nation is an excellent example of a chosen race that rejected God’s Son and the New Testament covenant.

 In the verses below, we see that each person has the capacity to accept the offer of salvation or to reject it and rely on their own righteousness when facing judgment: Yikes!

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. ^{John 3:16}

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. ^{John 3:36}

That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. ^{John 3:15}

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  ^{Romans 10:9-10}

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}

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}

The Responsibility of Man

The responsibility of a man blessed by God with saving faith is the active, voluntary submission of his will, life, and desires to the supreme authority of Jesus. This submission is what separates Christians from demons, because demons also believe, even more profoundly than we do, but they do not submit.

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. ^{Matthew 16:24-25}

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. ^{Romans 12:1-2}

Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. ^{James 2:18-19}

Conclusion

God chooses us; we do not choose God because we are unable to. Therefore, in humility, we have eternal joy, devotion, and gratitude when God’s offer of salvation, reconciliation, and eternal life is accepted. Man’s choice, exercising free will, is to accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ or to reject it and live for temporal desires and pleasures, trading an eternity in Heaven for the fleeting pleasures of the world.

What about Those Not Chosen?

The doctrine of Election is disturbing to many because they assume that if God chooses some for salvation, he must also choose those 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. Choosing some for salvation from an unrighteous population does not equate to choosing others for damnation, or does it . . . since he created us all? God has not enlightened mankind on 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?  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 9:20-23}

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? or of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. ^{Romans 11:33-36}

The crux of the conundrum is humanity’s desire and attempt, with mortal intellect, to analyze, rationalize, and conclude how God operates. I like what W.H. Griffith Thomas (1861 – 1924) says, “The reconciliation of God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility is beyond our power. The Bible states and emphasizes both, and then leaves them. We would be wise if we did the same.”