Question:  Dear Greg,

            First, thanks for the answers, they have truly helped me a lot.  Studying the New Testament, I come to this conclusion--one cannot go to the Father or the Son.  It is God who takes the initiative.  The saved are going to be few?  Jesus answered that question himself when he responded “strive to enter at the narrow gate, for many will fail by choosing the wide road.”

            Does this mean that God’s plan is to save only a few?

            Thanks,

            Joe

Answer:  Dear Joe,

            We here at Plain Truth Ministries are delighted to hear that our media ministry is helpful.  Thank you for allowing us to help you.

            Your questions/comments:

1.      We cannot “find” God—he finds us.   Exactly.  One passage I like in this regard is actually about another subject, but Paul parenthetically notes how the initiative is all up to God.  Galatians 4:9, “But now that you know God—or rather are known by God…”  Paul seems to catch himself, and correct what he is saying.  He seems to want to say that the initiative in our salvation comes from God.  He decided to save and rescue us.  He decides (has decided) to save us, to love us, to send his Son for our salvation.  So, yes, you are very much correct.  We do not find God, he finds us.  We then decide whether to respond.

2.      The emphasis in the passage you quote about the narrow gate is not about the total percentage of those who fail to be saved by choosing the wide road, but a more generic idea of the fact that the quick and easy way is not always the right way.  In fact, it is often the wrong way.  As grandparents seem to be fond of saying, “If a job is worth doing, it’s worth dong well.”  Not too many people choose the path of doing a job well.  This passage cannot logically speak to those whom God has already called, has saved, and has revealed himself.  Many other passages speak about God not giving up on us, that he wants all to come to repentance, that he will not lose one of his children, etc.

            We can only speculate about any percentage of those who God calls, seeks, etc., who reject him.  The Bible does not specifically comment.  Jesus called those who followed him a “little flock”—as the King James Version translates it, leading some to think that true Christians would be few in numbers, down through time.  But Jesus’ use of “little”, as translated, was not in terms of numbers, but instead the diminutive--His “dear” children.

            Hope this helps.

            In Christ,

            Greg Albrecht