People like to point out oxymorons, or contradictions in terms. Things like “jumbo shrimp” or “adult children” bring grins to our faces.
The Bible has its share of oxymorons, too. One of these is what I like to call “universal exclusivism.” It’s the premise that God wants all people to be saved, but limits salvation to a relatively small group of people.
The Universal Aspect of Salvation
There are several verses in the Bible that speak to God’s desire that all people will come to a right relationship with Him and be saved. Peter, in his second letter, writes, “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promises, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). Paul’s first letter to, Paul writes that God “wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4).
The Bible says, “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him” (John 3:17).
Jesus offers this suggestion of God’s universality: “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
In each of these examples, there is a clear message that God’s desire is to save all people, and that the ministry of Jesus is for all people. He did not come into the world to condemn the world, but to save it. His invitation is for “all who are weary,” not a select group.
But here’s an interesting verse that seems to indicate that salvation is available for all people, but that there are some who are “more saved” than others. “This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance . . . that we have our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe” (1 Timothy 4:9-10). At first glance, it would appear that God will save all people, but He will create two groups of the saved. There will be those who will receive general salvation, and then there will be the second group, an elite group, if you will, consisting of those who believe.
It’s an interesting theory, but there really is no Biblical support for such a theory. “But you just quoted a verse that says that very thing,” you may think or say. Yes, one verse, but the rule of thumb is that if God wants to present a strong theological statement or one of great importance, it will be backed up with all sorts of other verses, not just one verse. The context is always important, and in the idea of universalism regarding salvation, there is more than enough in the Bible to speak to the exclusivity of.
The Exclusive Aspect of Salvation
Going back to 1 Timothy 2, Paul, when writing about God’s desire to save all people, goes on to say, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time” (1 Timothy 2:5).
Jesus was asked once what works God requires for people to be right with Him. Jesus’ response is, “The work of God is this: to believe in the One He has sent” (John 6:29). Jesus also, in response to a question from one of His disciples, said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).
Returning to Jesus’ invitation to the weary and burdened, He adds the following, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:29-30).
There are many other verses that speak to the exclusivity of salvation. The message of the Bible is clear. If a person wants to come into a right relationship with God and find salvation from sins, then that person must come to God through His Son, Jesus Christ. The entire theme of the New Testament is salvation through Christ and living out our faith in Him.
Conclusion
So what do we make of the oxymoron of “universal exclusivity?” it is this.
God’s desire is for everyone to know Him and be restored into a right relationship with Him. But while that may be God’s desire, it is also God’s plan that God allows us to decide whether or not we will follow Him. If salvation was guaranteed to everyone, regardless of their faith or lack thereof, then what’s the point of trying to seek and learn God’s will and His ways?
It’s like going to a college which will guarantee you will receive a degree in the field of your choice. Whether you go to class or not, take tests or not, or fulfill any of the obligations required for a degree, you will graduate with full honors. As long as you make your tuition payments and remain enrolled, you will, after fulfilling the number of hours required for a degree, be a full-fledged graduate. If that was offered, how many people would show up for class? Sure, there would be some people genuinely interested in an education, who would attend the classes and take the tests, write the papers and do the work. But those would be the small minority. The rest would rarely if ever attend.
While God wishes all to be saved, He allows us the opportunity to choose or not. (I know my Calvinist friends will want to argue this point, but that’s another time, perhaps.) Knowing our character, God planned for salvation to come only through Jesus Christ. God’s hatred of sin is such that a price had to be paid. That price was paid by Christ at Calvary.
Because God paid such a price for our redemption, it is only reasonable that He would require us to have faith in God’s act of salvation through Christ. And that is where the exclusivity comes in.
God wants everyone to be saved, but only those who believe in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord will be saved.
© 2019 Glynn Beaty