14 For many are called, but few are chosen.” – Matthew 22:14

Since God loves everyone and Jesus died for all human sin on the cross, why does the Bible say that only “many” are called to salvation and not “all”?

The “called” in Matthew 22:14 represent those who receive a gospel presentation. Regardless of whether they choose to accept salvation through faith in Jesus or not, all who are presented with the good news of Jesus and His Work on the cross are still “called”. Many people in human history have been “called” by God, invited to receive His gracious gift of eternal life, but only a few are “chosen”.

Why are they chosen? They responded to God’s call by putting their faith in Jesus.

29 For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that He might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom He predestined He also called, and those whom He called He also justified, and those whom He justified He also glorified. – Romans 8:29-30

Here we see our free will faith and God’s divine decrees working together in perfect harmony, as they always do.

This passage in Romans is talking about believers only. In this passage, God has foreknown and predestined believers to receive eternal life – and so He called us and we responded to that call through faith in Jesus. We believers are the “chosen” in Matthew 22:14 precisely because we responded in faith to God’s call (as opposed to rejecting it as many have done).

How could we have chosen for God if He had not made us and showed Himself to us, sent Jesus to die for us on the cross, and called us to salvation through providing us with the gospel message?

And God would not predestine us for salvation against our will. If we are not willing to be chosen, then God will not go against that choice (even if we are stubbornly refusing our own eternal salvation).

One might argue that if there are those who have never heard the gospel presented, isn’t that somehow unfair to them? As if God didn’t give them a “fair chance” at salvation? Not at all!

God knows every human heart. He has perfectly written all of our free will choices into His plan, without compromising those choices. If God knows that someone has no interest in knowing or following Him, why should He provide the gospel message to them, for them to throw it back in His face (see Psalm 53:1, Matthew 7:6, Hebrews 10:29, Psalm 10:4)?

God is not unjust. He is always willing to provide the gospel to those who want it, always willing to be found by those who seek Him (see Acts 17:27, Matthew 7:7-8, 2 Peter 3:9, 1 Timothy 2:3-4). God has done everything necessary to provide salvation to all, if only they would be willing to be saved – and some are not willing (see John 5:40).

God has made Himself known to all humanity. He has constructed this world we live in to point to Himself (see Romans 1:18-21, Psalm 19:1-4). We know in our hearts that there is something more than just ourselves or this corrupted world (see Ecclesiastes 3:11). At some point in the lives and hearts of us all, we understand that God exists and is Holy – even if some harden their hearts against that truth and go their own path.

As human history has shown, the majority of people are not interested in a relationship with God. Thinking that we can successfully evangelize everyone we meet is a mistake. We are warned not to “throw our pearls to pigs” (see Matthew 7:6). Some believers are given the gift of evangelism (see Acts 21:8, Ephesians 4:11) and God empowers them through the Holy Spirit to use their spiritual discernment as to who might be interested and to effectively give the gospel message to others.

Of course, we should share the gospel message with someone if the Holy Spirit directs us to (see Romans 10:14). If someone makes it obvious that they have no interest in Jesus or if the Holy Spirit is directing us to keep silent, then we would be wise to not “shove” the gospel down their throat. If they are interested, if they are asking questions – if they are seeking the Lord for salvation – He will answer them, perhaps even allowing us to be part of that process.

15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, – 1 Peter 3:15

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