No one before birth had a choiceβor even knowledge of what, who, or where they would be born, or even of being born. Even afterwards, when choices can be made, there are limitations on what can be changed.
All men are not created equal, other than with the human rights endowed on everyone by God. To claim otherwise is willful ignorance.
In the Bible, a mountain is sometimes used metaphorically to represent God. Every individual, regardless of their circumstances at birth, is to aspire to ascend the mountain.
Nevertheless, not everyone is born in the same place. There are some who have the advantage of being born at the foot of the mountain. Others are born so far away they may not even see it. Those who are far away face a journey before it even comes into view.
So it is with salvation. Those born at the foot of the mountain who are taught the ways of the Lord from birth have a great advantage. Nonetheless, many will travel away from God, never to return. Their children will be born further from the mountain.
However, some who were born afar, if they come to a place where they can see the mountain and are drawn to it, if they choose to ascend the mountain, they lay up an inheritance that their children may take advantage of.
When someone makes the commitment to ascend the mountain, all things are not still equal. Some sides of the mountain are steeper, and other parts are rocky or covered with thickets. Certain individuals have far more to overcome to reach the top.
It has been said that a man should be judged not only by his accomplishments but also by the obstacles he overcame to make them. God judges the motives, efforts, and hearts of men above their works. Things that appear as the greatest accomplishments of men often obscure greater feats of those who are of little stature, unseen.
When ascending the mountain, one must be careful in judging others who started in different places; there are other sides to a mountain than just one. Not everyone will see the exact same things as those climbing another sideβeveryone begins climbing where they are. Too often, those who start in one place discount others ascending in a different place as though they are on a different mountainβsome are, but many are not.
The Mountain of God has a wide base; those who climb are spread out around its massive circumference. Doctrinal differences should only separate believers when they become clearly damnable. Further up the mountain, differences are less; the mountain tapers to its peak; believers come closer together as they ascend until they meet Christ at the top. Then with an unobstructed view, all things are seen by all as they are; all are one in Christ.