Welcome back to the podcast as you page through the new APJ book you'll see some of the

ways we talked about election and predestination over the years the fallout of this doctrine of God's sovereignty over who is saved in the end

That leads to many many questions about whether this is fair or unfair and whether election excuses the non-elect from their unbelief.

You'll see those themes compiled on pages 355 to 364.

We're right back into this theme today in the email question from a listener named John.

Hello, Pastor John.

I've often heard it non-believers blaming God for not electing them and giving them a new

heart to have faith.

How can I persuade them that it is not God's fault but their own

unbelief? My friend's son professed to be a Christian and even evangelized people and led people to

God. But later while in college he realized he was not a true

believer and left the faith. He now blames God for not electing him. How would

you counsel this young man?

Well, let me clarify immediately that I do agree with the premise that there is such a thing as unconditional election by God, namely that everyone whom God decisively saves, that

is brings out of darkness to light, brings out of the bondage of sin, and unbelief.

He does not decide to do that on the spur of the moment, as though there were no plan, but rather he saves in accordance

with his infinite wisdom and plan which he has had in mind forever.

So Ephesians 1.4 says,

God chose us in Christ

before the foundation of the world.

So when he saved me, he saved me according to an electing plan.

So the question being asked is, why people whom God does not save, according to his purpose and plan, are nevertheless accountable.

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