There are a lot of discussions surrounding salvation. One is God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility. For the record, I believe God is 100% sovereign and man is 100% responsible at the same time. Now, let’s follow one strain of thought for a moment. How do you KNOW you have been chosen by God. Consider John 6:37 where it is recorded Jesus said…
All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.
In my small rose-colored world the way to know if God has chosen you is that you choose God! It is that simple. Now let’s follow that up with this question: Who can choose God? Again, the answer is found in Scripture…
Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
1 Timothy 2:1 Prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people… 2 …that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.
Acts 17:30 (God) commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.
The Biblical truth is this… if a person desires to be saved, they can. There is NOTHING that will prevent them from coming to Christ for salvation. God welcomes everyone who desires to be saved. Not only that… He offers salvation to everyone! And everyone that comes to Him will be saved and it cannot be lost!
No sense making it more difficult. The Scripture is clear and simple to understand. Any person who desires to be saved can be. Proof that a person is chosen by God is that they choose Him.