Does God Want Everyone to be Saved? A Christian Perspective
The question of whether God wants everyone to be saved is a profound one, addressing the heart of our relationship with the divine. From the teachings of Christianity, the answer is both complex and reassuring. While God desires the salvation of all, human nature and our own choices often stand in the way. This essay explores the biblical perspective on this topic, touching on themes of redemption, faith, and eternal life.
Human Nature and Its Obstacles
Primarily, the obstacle to pursuing a relationship with God stems from our fallen nature. Human beings often display a strong inclination towards pride, selfishness, stubbornness, and deception. These traits manifest in a desire for autonomy and hedonistic living, which means doing things our way without regard for God's intentions. Despite this, the Bible teaches that a wise person will seek to restore fellowship with God, align themselves with his will, and seek salvation through Jesus Christ.
Restoration and Calling
The path to restoration and calling is a wise person's pursuit. This involves prayerfully calling upon God through Jesus Christ, who has authority over all. Additionally, reverent study of God's inspired Word, the Holy Bible, is encouraged. Many Christian traditions emphasize the importance of beginning with the New Testament in a version that is easily understood.
The Purpose and Meaning of Life
Our Creator God imbues our mortal lives with purpose and meaning according to His will. Through His Holy Spirit, God guides and empowers those who seek to serve Him to accomplish good in their lives, the lives of others, and in situational contexts. The human soul and spirit, which includes the attributes of being created in God's image, are spiritual entities that originate at conception and endure beyond physical death. They do not linger as ghosts or reincarnate in subsequent mortal lives.
Repentance and Faith
The path to eternal life is not left to chance. According to the Bible, believers must sincerely repent of their sins and place their faith in Christ Jesus, who was God incarnate as Lord and Savior. As recorded in Hebrews 9:27, human beings are appointed to die once, after which they face judgment. The soul and spirit's destination after physical death hinges on one's relationship with God: those who are repentant and believe in Christ go to be with God in heaven, while those who reject God and His plan for salvation in Christ are destined for hell.
The Offerings of Christ
Christ Jesus offers forgiveness, imputed righteousness from God, and eternal spiritual life with Him in heaven. Believers who are redeemed in Christ are provided a resurrection/body that shines with glory for all eternity. Faithfulness and obedience to God in anticipation of Christ's coming are also recognized, as seen in Hebrews 11. This path is all about grace and faith, as exemplified in Ephesians 2:8-9.
The Path to Eternal Life
The Bible provides several verses that point to the path of eternal life: Romans 3:23-24 emphasizes that all have sinned but can be justified freely by God's grace. John 3:16 highlights God's love and the provision of eternal life for those who believe. John 14:6 affirms that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and that no one can reach the Father without Him.
The Eternal Life Decision
The final words of this essay emphasize the critical decision that every individual must make regarding their eternal life. Whether one accepts or rejects the gift of salvation by grace through faith in Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior is a matter of personal choice. This decision determines the eternal destination of the soul and spirit.
—Augustine of Hippo, AD 396–430