The Dual Will of God in Salvation: Understanding God's Desire and Election

Understanding the Dual Will of God in Salvation

Have you ever wondered if God has two different wills in salvation? One will that desires the salvation of all people, and another will that elects a specific group of people for salvation? This idea is not new and has been the subject of much debate and controversy in Christian circles. However, we can find answers to this question in the Bible, which clarifies God's will concerning salvation.

God's Will for the Salvation of All People

First, we must acknowledge that God desires the salvation of all people. This is stated in 1 Timothy 2:3-4 which says, "This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." Similarly, 2 Peter 3:9 states that God is patient and desires that none should perish, but all should come to repentance. These verses make it clear that God's desire is for all people to be saved.

Furthermore, we see in the parable of the wedding banquet in Matthew 22:1-14, that the king invites all people to the feast, but some refuse the invitation. This shows that God offers salvation to all people, but not all will accept it.

God's Unconditional Election

Despite God's desire for all people to be saved, we also see in the Bible that God elects a specific group of people for salvation. This is known as God's unconditional election, which means that God chooses some for salvation based on his sovereign will, and not based on any merit or works on their part.

One of the clearest examples of this is found in Romans 9:11-13, which says, "Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad--in order that God's purpose in election might stand: not by works but by him who calls--she was told, 'The older will serve the younger.' Just as it is written: 'Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.'" This passage shows that God chose Jacob for salvation before he was even born, and not because of any good works he had done.

Similarly, Ephesians 1:4-5 says, "For he chose us in him 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." This verse also shows that God chose us for salvation before the world was even created, based on his pleasure and will.

How to Understand the Dual Will of God

So, how do we reconcile these two seemingly contradictory ideas of God's will for salvation? First, we must understand that God's desire for all people to be saved is genuine and sincere. He offers salvation to all people, but not all will accept it.

Second, we must understand that God's unconditional election is also genuine and sincere. He chooses some for salvation based on his sovereign will, not based on any merit or works on their part.

Third, we must understand that God's dual will for salvation is not a sign of divine schizophrenia, but rather a reflection of his infinite wisdom and sovereignty. God's ways are higher than our ways, and his thoughts are higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Implications for Evangelism and Missions

Understanding God's dual will for salvation has important implications for evangelism and missions. First, it means that we must proclaim the gospel to all people, knowing that God desires their salvation. Second, it means that we must trust in God's sovereignty in salvation, knowing that he will save those whom he has chosen.

Furthermore, understanding God's dual will for salvation also helps us avoid two extremes in evangelism and missions. On the one hand, we must avoid the idea that we can save people through our own efforts or methods. Only God can save people, and he does so based on his sovereign will. On the other hand, we must also avoid the idea that evangelism and missions are pointless, since God has already chosen whom he will save. We must still proclaim the gospel to all people, knowing that God will use our efforts to bring his chosen ones to faith.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we can see from the Bible that God has a dual will for salvation. He desires the salvation of all people, but also elects a specific group of people for salvation based on his sovereign will. Understanding this dual will of God helps us avoid extremes in evangelism and missions, and trust in God's sovereignty in salvation.