Unconditional Election/Salvation?

The Bible overwhelming teaches our salvation is conditional thereby proving Calvinism is false. But I’ve been asked many times – “If God chooses us, how could our election be conditional?” To understand how, think about the way God choose the men to go into battle in Judges 7:4-7 – based upon who drank water by putting their hand to their mouth, as opposed to those who got down on their knees to drink. God’s election in that case was conditioned upon human free will choices, and our election to salvation is done the same way.

II Pet 1:10 actually uses the word “election” and makes the truth clear – “brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure.” If our election is not conditional upon something we do, then how could we possibly make our election sure? We couldn’t.

How about Matt 22:14? – “For many are called, but few are chosen.” If salvation is available to more people than who actually receive salvation as this verse says, that necessarily implies those chosen did something different than those who weren’t chosen, right?

II Thess 2:13-14 talks about how God has “chosen” us to salvation and it says it comes “through … belief of the truth.” See the condition of God’s choosing there – belief of the truth?

And doesn’t Heb 5:9 (“he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him”) make our eternal salvation conditioned upon our obedience? Or does the verse not mean what it says?

Consider the most famous verse in the Bible John 3:16 – “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.” Doesn’t that verse clearly teach our salvation is conditioned upon our belief?

Besides John 3:16 there must be two dozen passages that make salvation conditioned upon belief. Consider five:

· John 8:24 if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins

· Acts 10:43 whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins

· Rom 3:26 the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus

· John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the … Son of God.

· John 3:36 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.

Repentance is also a condition of salvation from sin:

· Luke 13:3 … Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish

· Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out

· Acts 8:22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

Likewise, baptism is an essential condition of salvation:

· Mark 16:16a He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved

· Acts 2:38 Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

· Acts 22:16 arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord

· Gal 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

· I Pet 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us

The New Testament makes plain ole obedience a condition of salvation:

· Matt 7:21 he that doeth the will of my Father … shall enter into … heaven

· Acts 10:35 he that … worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him

· II Thess 1:8-9 them that … obey not the gospel … shall be punished with everlasting destruction …

· James 2:24 by works a man is justified, and not by faith only

· I Pet 1:22a ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth

· I John 2:17 he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever

· Rev 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city

Some other passages showing salvation is conditional include:

· John 5:29 And shall come forth (from the graves); they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of condemnation.

· II Chron 7:14 If my people … shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin

· Isa 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him … for he will abundantly pardon.

· II Cor 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

· Matt 6:14-15 if ye forgive men their trespasses, your … Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

· I John 1:9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

· Rom 10:9 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.

· I Cor 15:1-2 … the gospel … By which also ye are saved if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you

· II Pet 1:10 … for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall

Do Calvinists actually believe something so contrary to God’s word, or do they feel forced to believe such because they are loyal to Calvinism?

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