If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. —John 7:37
Jesus extends an open invitation to all who are inwardly thirsty—those who crave something deeper, better, and eternal. I’m so thankful that we have been invited to be saved. The grace of God is extended to all, and He desires each person to respond in faith.
The theme this quarter is “Election and Free Will.” Doctrinal questions surrounding this topic have been debated for centuries. Calvinistic theology—rooted in teachings such as unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace, and perseverance of the saints—distorts the beautiful message of salvation. These teachings undermine the biblical truth that God desires all to be saved from sin.
Rather than refuting every point of error, this paper emphasizes the truth—clearly presented through Scripture—that salvation is extended to all and must be freely received. The best way to combat false doctrine is with truth. When we study the Word of God and rightly divide it, we are equipped to recognize and resist error. Isolated verses can appear to support certain doctrines, but Scripture must be interpreted in context and in harmony with the full message of the gospel. The foundation of New Testament teaching is that salvation is offered to all—not just a predetermined few. God has given each person the freedom to choose whether or not to receive His grace.
Many scriptures that mention election specifically address the shift from God’s covenant with Israel to the calling of the New Testament church. When read in context, it becomes clear that these passages are not about the salvation of individual souls, but about the broader plan
of redemption through Christ.
What a sad and compromised message it would be to claim that Christ did not die for all—that His blood is only effective for a preselected group. Praise God, His grace reaches to you and to me! In His sovereign love, He has given us the freedom to accept or reject the gift of salvation.
Though this topic cannot be exhausted in one study, we trust a clear foundation has been laid. May God’s Spirit lead you into deeper understanding and firmly establish you in the truth of His Word.
Michael W. Smith
July 2025
