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NASB | John 3:17 "For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | John 3:17 "For God did not send the Son into the world to judge and condemn the world [that is, to initiate the final judgment of the world], but that the world might be saved through Him. |
Bible Question: How does one reconcile the Biblical teaching of predestination/election with the referebce that it is God's will that none should perish and that all would come to repentence? |
Bible Answer: For the record and not for debate (at least I myself will not debate it, because this is not a debate forum): - All things happen according to the counsel of God's will. - God is good and almighty and does whatever he pleases in heaven and on earth. 2 Pet 3:9 "The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance." The "all" must be understood in context. The "all" does not mean all people who have ever lived or will live. The context is the patience of the Lord "toward you," that is, toward his people. Jesus came to save "his people" from their sins. (Matt. 1:21) The will of the Father is that none that he has given to the Son be lost. John 6:39 "This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day." Salvation is not an easy thing. It comes at the cost of much suffering on the part of the Savior. That's why the Scripture says, "AND IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER?" (1 Pet 4:18) - To conclude, there is no conflict between God's will and election. God's will "toward us" his chosen people is that none perish and all come to repentance. His patient mercy will accomplish this and no one he has given to Christ Jesus will be lost. |