On what basis does God elect people to salvation? Some have argued that God saves a person based on

foreseeing that the person will one day repent and believe in Christ. In other words,

the person is saved by God because of what they have done or will do. By contrast,

unconditional election is the idea that when God saves a person, it is not conditional on anything that person has done or will do. God's election of a person to

salvation is based purely on his own gracious sovereign will.

The biblical teaching on this across both Old and New Testaments is summed up in Romans

chapter 9. The Apostle Paul uses the example of Jacob and Esau. God clearly set his sovereign love on Jacob rather than Esau,

though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad. Paul explains that this

was precisely so that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works, but because of him who calls.

As God said to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have

compassion.

Now, some have reacted to those words by questioning God's justice.

If God elects some to salvation, then it follows that he does not elect others.

Why? Why not just save everybody?

Of course, the question isn't answered if we do away with the idea of

unconditional election. We could believe, as some Christians do, that people are saved completely

of their own free will. But in that scenario, there will presumably still be people who do not

freely choose salvation.

Why doesn't God just save them?

Why wouldn't he just override their free will?

So that question, why doesn't God save everyone, remains whether or not you believe in unconditional election.

But while asking this question, it's wise to

...