I have no sympathy with those men who try to limit God's salvation to
a certain few. I believe that Christ died for all who will come. I
have received many letters finding fault with me, and saying I surely
don't believe the doctrine of election. I do believe in election; but
I have no business to preach that doctrine to the world at large. The
world has nothing to do with election; it has only to do with the
invitation, "Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."
That is the message for the sinner. I am sent to preach the gospel to
all.
After you have received salvation, we can talk about election. It's a
doctrine for Christians, for the Church, not for the unconverted
world. Our message is "good tidings, which shall be to all people; for
unto you is born this day a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." All
people, this Saviour is proffered to you. Accept Him, and God will
accept you; reject Him, and God will reject you. Your eternal destiny
depends on your refusal or otherwise to accept the proffered Saviour.
The case is simply one of giving and taking. God gives; I receive. We
must, then, first of all know Christ as our Saviour.