Bible outlook

The sovereignty of God can be studied to interpret how his omnipotence cannot be altered by human will. Those who advocate the freedom of choice often point to John 3:16, which describes God’s love for the world, saying, “whosoever believes in Jesus will not perish but have life.” Much emphasis is placed on the word “whosoever” when it comes to the free will being argued because it gives them the impression that anyone on the planet is enabled to believe. But how does that verse become scattered throughout the entire earth without only his elect being involved?

He loved the world to save whoever believes in him is true, but the verse still leaves out the rest of mankind, where not everyone does believe. His particularity in the verse is still very much in discussion. If he loved the entire world, it would say that all people will be saved whether they believe in him or not. Instead, it says that he loved the world for whoever became a believer, not because they might become one – that would ruin his plan of salvation for many.

How can his plan of salvation be for those who also doubt him? Thus, his particularity must coincide with John 3:16 because the world does not reign before God who, eventually will reveal himself as King over the earth. Whoever does not believe in him may temporarily have potential to only on his watch. His timing comes first not only since he created us but because he has elected us before the foundations of the world.

If He did elect us before the world was created and not just before our birth, what choice would coexist without him first intervening. He did not just elect us prior to our birth while freedom is roaming around the universe for men to decide their own fate. Jesus died on the cross ahead of time, knowing who would believe and who would reject him. That way He did die on the cross for each of us, for specific reasons to save his chosen people. Therefore, he did not die for everyone and everything humanity has ever done

Though he did die for those who were worse off than others, the cross was meant for those who needed it, who were sincere, and whom he predestined, for he did not come to save the righteous, but the sinner (Mark 2:17). In other words, he did not die for the accuser; he died for those who acknowledge themselves as sinners. Yet instead of us choosing to understand God’s existence, his existing determines whether we believe in him based on certain factors. How can belief come by our own reasoning (which requires evidence) when faith is the evidence of things unseen? He molds us into what he wants us to be, for we are the clay and he is the potter, as stated in the book of Romans:

“What will the molded say to its molder? He will not say why have you made me like this, for out of the same lump one vessel is made for honorable use and another for dishonorable use.”

Drawn by the Father

Another key passage that points to his sovereign election is in the book of John: “No one can come to me except through the father who draws him (v. 6:44). You might argue that many are called, but few are chosen (Matthew 22:14); however, this wouldn’t stop God from initiating belief in those he knew from the beginning? When someone is drawn but refuses his calling, that is how he is sovereign over his creation by remaining faithful.

If he does draw people but never coerces them, how would freedom of choice still come into play, especially if they refute his offering? And how would he get done what needs to be accomplished if they all had rejected him? Since he knew from the beginning those who would betray him, both his offering and his word remain absolute, even though choice was being granted to them. Our choice cannot occupy the property of what he already knows about us. In order for us to know him, he must first know who he is dealing with.

We did not believe in Christ ahead of time; he sought us who would discover him afterwards, so in order for us to find him, we must first be drawn. For he is the creator of the universe, the alpha and omega, and the most high God, who cannot be tainted by those who say good is evil, and evil is good. That is why it must be up to his offering instead of our own discretion. Otherwise, the freedom of choice would hover over his ability to judge each person according to his ways, and then evil would triumph over good.

Because of their own ways, they did not believe in him with their own willpower, we are chosen by his judgment to save us from our deeds. Wickedness cannot be made righteous by ourselves; but instead, he intercedes on behalf of certain ones who were searching for him.

Others remain unrighteous because instead of seeking him, they are counting on their own worthiness—and they begin to find no fault in themselves—eventually, by turning him aside on a path to destruction. Only those who were searching for him can be drawn because their wants become unanimous with his desire to fulfill their needs.