Is it possible for a person to be saved but not predestined?

Response

No, it is impossible for someone to be saved without being chosen by God for salvation. Many individuals, when they first encounter the concept of election, are troubled by what appears to be an unjust arrangement. Regrettably, this is where many individuals conclude the conversation. However, a proper biblical understanding of election leads to the realization that God’s selection in predestination is an exceedingly loving act.

We are all sinners, and if left to our own devices, we would never choose God. Our initial reaction to God is to resist His love and authority. As stated in Romans 3:11, “There is none that understandeth, There is none that seeketh after God.” We do not desire Him to instruct us. For us to turn away from our sins in repentance and faith, He must initiate the process. Jesus informed the crowds who were grumbling at His teachings, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them” (John 6:44). In essence, no one can be saved unless they are chosen.

It is also accurate that, in order to be saved, an individual must decide to have faith. Most believers can recall a moment when they contemplated the teachings of Christ and submitted to Him. We made the choice to surrender in faith; if we had not made that choice, we could not have been saved. Nevertheless, as we examine the Scriptures and reflect on our salvation journey, we acknowledge God’s involvement every step of the way—we observe the conviction of the Holy Spirit; we see how God was transforming our unregenerate hearts to enable us to have faith; we see the sequence of events that God orchestrated so we could hear the gospel.

We have aRelationship with God is established because God chose to pursue a connection with us and win us over. Some argue that God does this with everyone. However, if that were true, then the reason for some people believing and others not believing would be that some were more authentic, spiritually attuned, or morally sensitive. This would imply that a certain level of inherent human goodness enables some individuals to believe. If individuals contribute their own goodness to salvation, a logical problem arises. More significantly, a biblical problem arises.

Scripture teaches that God has chosen to rescue certain individuals, and He selected them based on His own purposes, not on any inherent goodness in those being saved. His choice was not influenced by His foreknowledge of the decisions they would make. Paul portrays God as the One who “chose us in [Christ] before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves” (Ephesians 1:4-6).

In Ephesians 1:11–14, Paul elucidates how God’s choice and our faith cooperate: “In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.” The entire plan is for God’s glory and for the benefit of those whom He has chosen to save. Contrary to much popular teaching, the salvation plan is not centered on us; it is about God.

The doctrine of election is clearly taught in Scripture. The Bible even speaks of those who belong to God but have not yet believed in Him. God has chosen them, and they belong to Him, even though they have yet to come to faith. To the unbelieving religious leaders, Jesus says, “You do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” «But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. », (John 10:26). Notice the cause and effect in His statement. He does not say, “You are not my sheep because you do not believe”; rather, He says, “You do not believe because you are not my sheep.” In verse 16, Jesus speaks of other sheep who will believe once they hear His voice. Those who are predestined to be saved will be saved.

In Corinth, there were only a handful of believers, and Paul was facing persecution, but Jesus appeared to him in a vision and said, “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city” (Acts 18:9-10). Corinth was not full of believers at the time, but it was full of the elect—people whom God had chosen and who would come to faith when they heard the message.

Some might ask, why bother sharing the gospel if God has already chosen to save some? The answer is that He commands us to share the gospel. We evangelize to bring God glory and because the preaching of the gospel is the way He has chosen to save the elect. Writing from a Roman prison and awaiting execution, Paul explains to Timothy why he is willing to endure hardship for the gospel: “Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory” «Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, (2 Timothy 2:10).

That they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.” , (2 Timothy 2:10).

Some may argue that God’s plan is unjust—some are chosen to be saved while others are not. This objection often stems from a flawed understanding of salvation, picturing people begging God for salvation, only to be rejected. However, the reality is different. Everyone is given the choice to obey God, yet all, regardless of status, choose to sin. Scripture reveals that God, in His grace, chooses to save some despite their rebellion. He works in their hearts and leads them to Him. Others are allowed to continue in their chosen path. Those who reject Christ do so willingly. Those who accept Him do so freely, influenced by God’s work in their hearts. God is not bound to save anyone, and His act of saving some demonstrates His love.

No one is saved without God’s election and predestination. Without them, all humanity would be lost eternally. A rebellious sinner turns to Christ only because God chooses to draw them instead of leaving them on the path to destruction. God is sovereign. “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb” «and cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. », (Revelation 7:10).