So-called Calvinists argue that a person may be forgiven of their sins only if they are chosen by God. Thankfully, that position is simply not biblical. Instead, we see in the Bible that God forgives anyone and everyone who repents of sin and receives Christ by faith. See the following points:
1. The Bible says that God’s will is that all people come to Christ in faith. The Bible clearly expresses God’s desire for all people to be saved, which stands in contrast to the idea that God pre-selects some for salvation and others for damnation:
1 Timothy 2:3-4 “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” This passage shows that God’s will is for all people to be saved from the consequences of their sin, not just a select group. The phrase “all men” indicates an inclusive desire that goes beyond a limited, predetermined group.
2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” Here, Peter emphasizes that God’s will is that no one should perish in hell.
2. Christ’s sacrifice on the cross is enough for all people. The Bible teaches that Christ’s death was for all humanity, and not just for a limited group of people:
1 John 2:2 “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” The phrase “the whole world” makes it clear that Christ’s atonement was meant for everyone. This verse opposes the Calvinistic notion of “limited atonement,” which argues that Christ only died for some people.
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.” This verse highlights God’s love for the entire world and offers salvation to “whosoever” believes. The open invitation here shows that anyone who believes, regardless of being part of an elect group or not, can receive salvation.
3. The Bible teaches that anyone may come to Christ. The Bible’s repeated use of the term “whosoever” shows that the offer of salvation is open to anyone who is willing to believe:
Revelation 22:17: “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” This final invitation in the Bible is addressed to “whosoever will,” indicating that anyone who desires can come to Christ and receive eternal life.
Romans 10:13: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” The use of “whosoever” here emphasizes the universal availability of salvation. This invitation is consistent with the character of God as one who wants all people to be saved.
4. While the Bible teaches that God knows who will come to Christ, that does not mean that he pre-determines who may come to Christ. Calvinism often argues that God’s foreknowledge equates to Him pre-determining every person’s salvation or damnation. However, scripture indicates that God’s foreknowledge does not mean that he pre-selects only some people to know Christ:
Romans 8:29: “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son…” The term “foreknow” here means that God, in His omniscience (perfect knowledge), knows beforehand who will choose to believe in Christ. Predestination in this context refers to those whom God knew would believe, not an arbitrary decision to save some and condemn others.
5. The Bible teaches that we all have a choice. The Bible repeatedly calls on everyone to choose to accept God’s offer of salvation. This implies that individuals have the responsibility to respond to God’s call, rather than being irresistibly drawn:
Joshua 24:15: “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; … but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” The appeal to “choose” illustrates the presence of human free will. If individuals were “sovereignly elected” without their participation, such a command would be unnecessary.
John 5:40: “And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.” Jesus here rebukes the Pharisees for refusing to come to Him. This implies that they had the capacity to come, yet chose not to. If they were simply not elected, then there would be no need to reprimand them for their refusal.
And so, we must understand that forgiveness is available to all who repent and come to Christ in faith. And that's a good truth -- because the Bible reveals that "all have sinned." In Romans 6:23, we read "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Learn more about the forgiveness that is available in Christ.