Today’s Sunday school lesson centered around Ephesians 1:5-7.

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. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.

Ephesians 1:5-7 (NIV)

During the Sunday school lesson, someone said, “not everyone will be saved.” That’s a true statement. It’s also a logical statement. If some were predestined for salvation, then some were not. Indeed, verses like Isaiah 5:14 tell us that hell is getting bigger, while Romans 9:27 tells us that only a remnant will be saved. However, we know that it’s God’s will that none would perish and all would come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9) and that God desires that everyone be saved (1 Timothy 2:4, Ezekiel 18:23). 

I proposed a “what if” situation this morning to the person who said that some people would go to hell.

What if all of the people who were going to hell have already died? While the earth’s population just recently pushed past 8 billion people, a sufficient number of people have lived and died without giving their lives to Christ. Why can’t everyone alive right now be saved? 

Well, why not? 

Are there people who are just “too bad” to be saved? I don’t see any reason why they cannot be saved. Is it too hard for God?

No. It’s not hard for God, and no one is beyond redemption. Why, then, are there Christians who inevitably point out that not everyone will be saved? Have they given up? Are they mimicking something they’ve been taught? Do I appear naive when discussing my desire for everyone to be saved? 

When Jesus was asked who would be saved, he didn’t acquiesce to everyone not being saved. What did Jesus say?

Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” He said to them, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.”

Luke 13:23-24 (NIV)

Instead of directly answering the question, Jesus tells the people to try and enter through the narrow door. Why didn’t Jesus just say, “Yes, only a few people will be saved,” or “Some will be saved and some will not,” or something to that effect? Why didn’t Jesus point to Isaiah 5:14 and say something like, “Well, hell is expanding. What do you think?”

Because Jesus desires that everyone be saved. 

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

Jesus wasn’t sending out an invitation to a spa day here, and when he laid down his life, he didn’t lay it down that we would go around telling each other things like, “Well, not everyone is going to be saved. The Bible says so.”

Consider this: If everyone who is supposed to be saved has been saved, why are we still here? 

I am convinced that on the day when the last Christian is born, the Lord will return when that person has given their life to Christ. Paul talks about the “full number of the Gentiles” entering into the kingdom as a time when Israel will be saved (Romans 11:25). Yet, because no one knows the day or the hour, we all ought to be pressing onward with the hope that everyone will come to repentance and none would perish. Any other attitude or point of view isn’t in line with the Gospel message.

Do you know God? God knows you, and he loves you. He sees you as significant because you are. No one is insignificant to Him. He’s with you today, and he wants you to know him. Jesus died for your sins and mine so we could be free of guilt, freed from death, and live eternally with him. Eternal salvation is just a prayer away.

Pray this prayer with me to accept the gift of salvation:

Lord Jesus, forgive me for all my sins. I repent from my ways. Wash me in your blood and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I believe that you died on the cross, were buried, and on the third day, God the Father raised you from the dead. Right now, Lord Jesus, I open the door to my heart and receive you into my heart as my Lord and personal Savior. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, then congratulations! You are on the first step of a brand new life. Allow me to be the first to welcome you to my family, the family of God. There are abundant resources available online for new Christians. You can visit here for more information on what to do next. You can also leave me a comment, and I’ll do my best to help you on the next step of this incredible journey.