This is a question that has sparked much controversy. Many have taken the doctrine of predestination as an excuse to not preach the gospel. Then there are some who take the other extreme and say that God does not predestine anyone, denying the sovereign grace of God. These are the two extremes of Arminianism, and Hyper-Calvinism (aka Anti-Calvinism).

The Bible is very clear about predestination; God pardons whom He will.  Salvation is of the LORD.  (Jonah 2:9) In Romans 9, Paul tells us how God chose Israel. God didnt make Israel His chosen nation because He thought they were good people. God chose Israel according to His will and according to His pleasure.

Deu 10:15 Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this day.

Deu 10:16 Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.

Deu 10:17 For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:

Rom 9:11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)

Rom 9:12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.

Rom 9:13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

Although most people dont seem to have a problem with the fact that God chose the Jews before the Gentiles, many refuse to accept the fact that God chose His elect just as God chose Israel. Does this mean that God is unjust or not righteous? No, it does not. If Barrack Obama were to choose to pardon a prisoner, that would not mean that he is not just because he didnt pardon any other prisoner. If the President of the U.S. has the right to pardon whom he will, whos to say that God cant have that right? We have no right to judge God for His actions. If God were to send everyone to hell, He would be righteous in doing so.

Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Rom 9:14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.

Rom 9:15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

This means that ultimately it is God who decides if God has mercy. No one can say when they get to heaven that they got there by their own will. All the glory belongs to Him, and everything should be done for His pleasure.

Rom 9:16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

Rom 9:17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.

Rom 9:18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

Rom 9:19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?

Rom 9:20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?

Rom 9:21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

Rom 9:22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:

Rom 9:23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,

Paul uses Pharaoh as his example to prove his point about predestination. It was God who chose to harden Pharaohs heart so that he would not let Israel go out of Egypt for His glory. God does everything ultimately for His glory. Man is not at the top of Gods list of priorities. God is willing to give justice, so that He might be glorified. God used Pharaohs hardened heart to show His power. This means that everything, good or evil, will ultimately glorify God. Even Satan is being used for Gods glory. Does this mean that it is not Pharaohs fault for not letting Gods people go? No, it does not. It was also Pharaohs choice to harden his heart, but God was ultimately behind it.

Exo 7:13 And he hardened Pharaohs heart, that he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.

Exo 8:15 But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.

Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Rom 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Rom 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Rom 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Rom 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

Rom 8:33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods elect? It is God that justifieth.

1Th 5:24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

Although this doesnt help us in the assurance of the believer, Romans 8:29 is a key verse in understanding the security of the believer. Salvation is not based on man; it is based on the fact that  It is God that justifieth.  The idea that God has no control over who goes to heaven is unbiblical, prideful, and blasphemous towards God. It is God who predestines, and that is why we know that once someone becomes a believer, he is always a believer. If God is responsible for the conversion, He is also responsible for keeping us. We cannot take any credit for our salvation. God predestined us, God called us, God justified us, and God glorifies us according to His divine mercy.

John 17:11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.

1Jn 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

Every prayer that Jesus asks is answered. In John 17, Jesus asked the Father to keep those that He has given to Christ. Notice the way He said it. Jesus didnt say,  God, please help those that decided to ask me into their hearts to keep their decision.  He said,  Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me….  Jesus recognized that the believers were His, because His Father gave us to Him.

Rom 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Many people will argue that God predestines people based on His foreknowledge of who will believe the gospel, but if you read Romans 8:29 carefully, you will notice that it doesnt say that God predestines people according to His foreknowledge, but He predestines those that He foreknew. In contrast, Jesus says that He will tell others that He never knew them. Was Jesus saying that God is not omniscient, or is foreknowledge or never knowing referring to a more intimate knowledge that God has of His elect. Notice again that Romans 8:29 doesnt say that God foreknew everyone, it said,  For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate… 

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

2Ti 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

Rom 11:5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

Rom 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

Rom 11:7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded

Jas 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Every false religion out there is based on works salvation. Works salvation is the idea that somehow we can do something to go to heaven rather than relying completely on God. This is ultimately pride, and the Bible says that God resists the proud. (James 4:6) Works are not the way to salvation. Works are the evidence of our salvation. I was talking about works salvation to a Mormon who insisted that he was relying completely on Christ for his salvation, and I asked him why he said that it was necessary to get baptized to go to heaven. He responded by asking me why we say that making a decision is necessary to go to heaven if we didnt believe in works salvation. I had no response for him, because the fact is that faith in a decision is just as much denying the grace of God as putting faith in anything else other than the work of Christ. To say that I am going to heaven, because I was good enough to make the decision is saying that I am better than those that did not make that choice. That is hypocrisy. Any decision that I made regarding my salvation was made after God drew me to Him. Therefore, I cannot glory in what I did, but only in the work of Christ. God should not only get all the glory for my justification, but also for my conversion.

The atonement of Jesus is sufficient for all, but efficient only for the believer.

Joh 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.

1Jn 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Rom 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

Rom 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

Rom 5:11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

Did Jesus die in vain? Who did Jesus specifically die for? God would not be just if Jesus was punished specifically for those who would not believe because that would mean that two people would pay for one mans sins. There are many verses in the Bible that clearly say that  Christ died for US.  This means that Jesus death was specifically for the believers, but what about John 3:16? Doesnt it say that Jesus died for whosoever? The answer to that question is no, because the verse doesnt stop with whosoever, it says  whosoever believeth in him.  So, according to John 3:16, Jesus died for everyone that believes in Him. Also, when the Bible says,  For God so loved the world ,  the world  is referring to the earth, or Gods creation. We know this because it says in the next verse that  God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world….  It would be illogical to say that God sent His Son into people in the context of the passage, but it would be logical to say that God sent His Son into His creation. To get a better understanding of this popular verse, we will look into the Greek. In English, the word that is used twice in John 3:16, but they actually come from two different Greek words. The first  that  in this verse comes from the Greek word, hoÌ„ste. This word means literally, therefore. So, it can be accurately stated that God so loved the world, therefore He gave His only begotten Son. The second word  that  in this verse comes from the Greek word, hina. Basically, hina means, in order that. So, it can also be accurately stated that the second half of this verse means He gave His only begotten Son in order that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish. John 3:16 states that God loves everyone as part of His creation, so therefore He gave His only begotten Son in order that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. This means that the atonement of Jesus was made specifically for  whosoever [that] believeth in Him.  I John 2:2 lays it out very simply. It states that Jesus is the propitiation for our sins specifically, and also for the sins of the whole world, or the world as a whole.

Joh 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.

The Bible is very clear that anyone who will come to God may do just that if they believe that He exists, and is a rewarder of them that seek Him. Logic tells us that man has free will, and that they are capable of making decisions. The only problem with the free will of an unbeliever, is that they are not capable of coming to God, because they are incapable of wanting to come to God.

Rom 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

Rom 3:11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

Rom 3:12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Eph 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

Joh 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

The Bible is very clear that an unbeliever is not just a rebellious person, but an unbeliever is literally dead in sins. A dead man cant do anything. You can go to a graveyard and preach day and night for a hundred years telling them theres a remedy for their disease, but unless they are quickened, or brought to life, they cannot respond. The same applies to an unbeliever. An unbeliever is only capable of doing the works of the flesh, because he does not have the Holy Spirit. Man has free will, but this will is determined by self-determination, which is that they will do what seems best for themselves. This is why psychology is so powerful.

Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Joh 3:4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mothers womb, and be born?

Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Joh 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Joh 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

Joh 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

Joh 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Joh 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

An unbeliever cannot see the kingdom of God, because the flesh will never view God as a good thing. In order for someone to believe the gospel, he must be born again of the Spirit. You cannot will your way to believing the gospel. It is impossible, because the flesh is sinful. John 1 states that those that believe on the name of Jesus were not born of the will of flesh, but of God. Most people who are converted do not realize everything that takes place, but it is still true that if you are a believer, then God has regenerated you. You do not believe the gospel with your mouth, or with your mind; you believe the gospel with your heart, and that can only take place with a miracle from God.

1Co 3:6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

1Co 3:7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Mar 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Eze 37:1 The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones,

Eze 37:2 And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry.

Eze 37:3 And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest.

Eze 37:4 Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.

Eze 37:5 Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live:

Eze 37:6 And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

Eze 37:7 So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone.

Eze 37:8 And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them.

Eze 37:9 Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.

Eze 37:10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.

Joh 5:21 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.

Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Prosperity preaching has become a very popular style for many preachers today. Preachers try to use psychology to persuade their listeners to choose Jesus. They preach another gospel and another Christ. This  Jesus  offers no cross, but only a wealthy lifestyle. He demands no sacrifice, but only cares about your temporary happiness. This is a Jesus that appeals to an unbelievers fleshly lusts. Many have come forward to say  Lord, Lord  without actually believing in the Jesus of the Bible. The gospel has been watered down because preachers think they can make someone believe the gospel by enticing their flesh. There is no Scripture that could imply this, and there are dozens of verses that emphatically reject this idea. The Bible commands us to preach the gospel, but it is God that gives the increase. It is our job to preach as Ezekiel preached to dry bones, knowing that they could never hear him unless God did a miracle. We must rely on the Holy Spirit to convert sinners. We cannot convince dry bones to do anything unless God puts flesh on those bones, and breathes life into them.

Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Rom 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

People have been told that they are going to heaven because they decided to pray to Jesus and asked Him to come in their hearts, but if they did not believe the gospel, they only said a prayer. Calling upon the name of the Lord is the evidence that someone has believed the gospel. It does not convert a sinner. If an unbeliever says a prayer to Jesus, he is not calling on anyone according to Romans 10:14.

1Ti 2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

1Ti 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Eze 33:11 Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

The Bible is very clear that God wants everyone to be saved and come to the truth. God is not happy to send anyone to hell, but God has priorities. He is willing to sacrifice a lesser will to fulfill a greater will. The best example of this is the gospel. It was not Gods preference to have His Son become sin. That in itself did not please God, but what it accomplished pleased God. God is not willing that any should perish. He doesnt take pleasure in killing anyone, but He has a greater desire to be glorified. Everything that is done is done for Gods glory. God didnt forgive us for our sakes; He forgave us for Christs sake. (Eph. 4:32) God does not choose to have mercy on everyone specifically, because if He did, He would not receive as much glory. This does not give us any excuse for being lazy. If you were to tell Lebron James that God predestined who would win the playoffs, he would be a fool to not play hard, because it would show that God did not predestinate him to win. God lays the responsibility of preaching the gospel on us. He commanded us to do this. Many people hide behind Romans 9, and ignore Romans 10 because they are lazy. If they do not hear the gospel, how shall they believe the gospel?

Rom 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

Rom 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

Rom 10:16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.