When Adam and Eve chose to go their own way and to do their own thing they were driven from the Garden of Eden and the tree of life was shut off from mankind. And, although Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord, it was a man called Abram, or Abraham, that God chose to be the father of the faithful, saying through Isaiah, “I called him alone, and blessed him and increased him.” (See Isaiah 51:1-2). Terah, Abraham’s father, served other gods, and God ordered Abraham, “Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will show thee” (See Genesis 12:1 and Joshua 24:2-3).
God is totally in charge of the redeeming of mankind and, although He will eventually show mercy to all, in this present age He declares that He will show mercy to whomever He desires to show mercy and will choose to serve Him whosoever He will. He doesn’t need or want man’s input in the matter. Jesus told His disciples, “You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you” and plainly declared, “No man can come unto me, except it were given him of my Father” (See John 15:16 and John 6:65). Again Jesus said, “All that the Father gives me shall come to me” (See John 6:37). If you had or have a relative who has shown no interest in following and obeying Jesus Christ, it is simply because they have not YET been given to Jesus Christ to convert and sanctify for God’s use. Later on Jesus would assure His disciples, “If I be lifted up from the earth (crucified), I will draw ALL unto me” (See John 12:32). John the Baptist declared that Jesus would give light, or understanding, “to every man that comes into the world” (See John 1:9). Those not yet enlightened and given understanding will yet have their minds opened to spiritual truth. So says your Bible.
Of course, there are many who, like Adam and Eve, have been given light and understanding from God yet chose to go their own way, also. There will be no second chance for those who have experienced God’s overtures to guide and instruct them yet chose the path of disobedience and the flesh.
Christ’s Faithful Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),
Donald Wiley