On his way to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, the Angel of the Lord and two angels with him visited Abraham in the plains of Mamre as he sat in the door of his tent, and he constrained them to abide with him until they were fed and rested. And when they were refreshed, the men arose and went on their way toward Sodom, and Abraham went with them.

And the Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do, seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?”  “For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.” (Genesis 18:17-19)

Herein lies the answer to the mystery as to why it is that some receive more grace than others: “I know him!” God knew Abraham would respond to him, keep his ways, and do all that was asked of him. God knew he would teach his children and all his family. God knew Isaac and Jacob would follow in the footsteps of their father, Abraham. God chose Jacob over Esau because he knew both of them before they were born, understood the kind of men they would become, and recognized that Jacob would respond to Him by keeping His ways and fulfilling all that was asked of him. And the Lord knew Esau would not, even before the beginning of creation.

Even so, the Lord calls all men everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30). Nonetheless, few will, for many are called, but few are chosen, and those who are chosen, God knows.

The misconception of the doctrine of “once saved, always saved” is this: God knows. God knows those who will do justice and judgment so that he may bring upon them His promises, as was the case with Abraham. Those who will obey him to the end are indeed “once saved, always saved.” Once they come to the knowledge of God, they are not going to turn back. Whatever the Lord asks of them, they are going to do it. They will persevere to the end, and God knows it. As it is written, “He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” 

The Lord is faithful to keep those who endure as they strive for perfection—strait is the gate and narrow the way that leads to eternal life, and He forgives their shortcomings.

However, God knows there will be those who will not continue in his ways, yet he still offers them an invitation. He will not deny anyone the opportunity to become whole. The Lord will walk with those who walk with Him, as far as they are willing to go. He knows those who are not truly His will eventually turn back. Nevertheless, all who ask for forgiveness and salvation in truth will not be turned away, even though he knows that later many will turn back and walk no more with him (John 6:66)—for it is written, “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13).

God is judicial. He judges and rules, working all the way through due process even while knowing the end from the beginning. God knew Abraham would offer up Isaac when instructed to do so, but still, even knowing Abraham would obey, the Lord still required it of him until he stepped in to stop him. God knows his children will do what he commands; even so, they still must do it—it is the process that fulfills all righteousness.

To the contrary, God knows those who are not his. Still, he offers them salvation, and some choose to follow him temporarily. However, when they are tempted and resist his spirit after having received the knowledge of the truth, the Bible says, “It had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.” (2 Peter 2:21-22)

The Lord took care to wash the sow, knowing all the time that it was a sow and would return to wallowing in the mire. Why, then, take care to do so? Because at one point, the sow had desired it for him. Although he knows, he still maintains his part of the bargain to complete due process and fulfill all righteousness. He does not deny the opportunity of eternal life to any of those who come and truly desire it, even knowing that later some will crucify him afresh. He gives his back to the smiters.

When a young rich man came to Jesus desiring eternal life, although he had kept the commandments from his youth, Jesus knew there was one thing between him and perfection: he had great wealth. Did Jesus reject him and send him away even though he knew this? No, he offered him the cross. Jesus, beholding him, loved him and said unto him, “One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow me.” (Mark 10:21). That young man sadly went his way.

God knows everyone’s answer beforehand, but he still offers salvation to all. If you take him up on his offer, count the cost. “For we are made partakers of Christ IF we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end.” (Hebrews 3:14)

All those who were chosen had this in common: God called, and they answered. God commanded, and they obeyed. God knows from before the earth was created, and not one of His will be lost; they are chosen. He knows them. Choose life and be chosen. The Lord already knows who will. Jesus said, “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”