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Some Christians believe that God has chosen or predetermined before creation itself, who would be saved and, by implication, who would not. This is supposed to be according to His sovereign wisdom. But it does not occur to them that if He did so, that He chose some people for salvation and others for condemnation, without any choice by these people, that would be unjust and unreasonable. Then people will be just like robots, without any choice, but moved by the whims and fancies of the programmer. Then we will have to live in uncertainty, not knowing clearly which group we fall into, and in fear, not knowing what this God will do next.

It is very clear that God chooses certain people and even nations to do certain tasks. This does not mean that He loves these people more than others. He chose Israel to be a model nation in the midst of all the other nations. When He says He loved Jacob and hated Esau, it was concerning this choice of Israel for this role, and not about their personal salvation. When Israel turned away from Him and went after idols, He rejected them. God does not choose or predetermine people individually for salvation. He wants all people to be saved, He presents the gospel of salvation without prejudice, and accepts everyone who turns away from their sins to the Saviour (1Ti.2:4;Re.22:7). What He has predetermined and predestined before the foundation of the world is that whoever will come to the Saviour in repentance and faith will be saved, and not about electing individuals.

We must be careful not to take verses out of context and interpret them as if they are stand-alone truths. For example, "But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth" (2Th.2:13). It may look as if Paul is addressing individuals collectively here, implying that God chose each of them from the beginning, sort of arbitrarily. But the context is about people who heard but rejected the truth and therefore could not experience salvation (vv.10-12). And how did these people whom Paul is addressing here come to their salvation? By responding to God when they heard the gospel (v.14).

God calls people through the preaching of the gospel. When people hear it, some are cut to their heart by a conviction of their sins and sinfulness (Ac.2:37). But others harden themselves and reject the gospel. They reject the truth they see about themselves as sinners in the sight of God, and the love of God which He is offering them in spite of their sins. This choice is what makes the difference. It is a choice people make in response to the gospel which is God's way of drawing them to Him.

It is ridiculous to imagine that we are just like puppets in God's hands, where He manipulates some people to respond well towards Him and hardens most others and causes them to reject Him. Can we love such a God?

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