If God loves everyone, why aren’t all of us saved?

When we picture heaven, we imagine a place where everyone is happy, loving, and at peace. If this is perfect bliss, then why wouldn’t the Lord send everyone there?  It is certainly a loving attitude to desire that all of our friends, family, and community enjoy the victory of    union with the Trinity.  When Jesus died and rose, he opened the door for all of humanity to enter eternal life.  If we want everyone to be saved, and God wants everyone to be saved, what could possibly keep a person outside the Pearly Gates?

The answer lies in the very nature of God’s love for us.  Not everyone is saved because God wants us to choose salvation freely.  While a person who loves God and willingly obeys his commands will find the kingdom blissful, a person choosing pride or selfishness would not.  Would heaven really be paradise if people could choose to be bullies, murderers, or abusers?  If  I reject God’s love because I don’t want anyone telling me what to do, I would not freely submit myself to the Lord’s authority.  God has given us free will, and that means we are free to reject him and his kingdom.  For heaven to be heaven, everyone there must be submissive to God’s will and each other.  Jesus loves us too much to force us to be saved.

kommonsentsjane