The Potter's Promise: A Biblical Defense of Traditional Soteriology

by Leighton Flowers

By predestination we mean the predetermined redemptive plan of God to justify, sanctify and glorify whosoever freely[8] believes (Rom. 10:11; Jn. 3:16; Eph. 1:1-14). All people are created with equal value as image bearers of God (Jms. 3:9; Gen. 1:27).

Because God desires mercy over justice and self-sacrificially loves everyone (Jms. 2:13; Mt. 9:13; 1 Jn. 2:2), He has graciously provided the means of salvation to every man, woman, boy and girl. No person is created for damnation, or predetermined by God to that end (2 Pt. 3:9; 1 Tim. 2:4; Ezek. 18:30-32). Those who perish only do so because they refused to accept the truth so as to be saved (2 Thess. 2:10).[9]

God has predestined every individual who is “marked in Christ” through faith to be saved (Eph. 1:13), and it is each individual’s responsibility to humble themselves and trust Christ in faith (Lk. 18:8-14).

manifests His glory by sacrificing Himself for the undeserving vessels, not by making vessels undeserving from birth

God is most glorified not at the expense of His creation, but at the expense of Himself for the sake of His creation.

He is like the “good Samaritan” who does not pass by on the other side of the road to avoid His enemies, but instead stops to provide for them even in their rebellion

Jesus as a perfect reflection of the very nature of God.

His glory is much more evident in His mercy