“If man’s sin is universal why is justification not also universal according to Romans 3:23-24? Paul makes it sound as if salvation is for all that fell, yet Calvinists say only the elect will be saved?”
Thank you for this question. The eternal destiny of mankind in general and each person in particular is for the thinking person the most seminal question of all. We are all acutely aware that there are many that don’t care about their eternal destiny. They never give it a thought or casually joke about partying in hell with their friends for eternity. The wise see the bridge is out and give careful consideration about how they, and others, will get across.
When we come to the issue of election we confront one of the most difficult topics of Scripture. We like to be in control. That is a human desire. The doctrine of election tells us that someone else is in control and that disturbs us. But, it should not be so disturbing if we consider what little of it that we can understand.
First let us consider some comments about election. Calvin, in his book Institutes of the Christian Religion, notes that we should not dwell too long on the concept of election because it will, by paraphrase, drive us nuts. The great Reformed document “The Canons of Dort” essentially says the same thing. J. Vernon McGee, the well known radio teacher, says that he must teach election because the Bible teaches it, not because he fully understands it. Abraham Lincoln says that we accept the Bible as true, the parts we understand by understanding and the parts we don’t by faith. Lastly we consider a comment variously attributed to many famous Bible teachers, “On the outside of the gate of heaven it says ‘Whosoever will may come’ and on the inside of the same gate ‘elect from the foundation of the world’.”
The doctrine of election is taught by groups as varied as Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Episcopalians, Reformed, Presbyterian, Congregational and Baptist. All of them teach it because the Bible teaches it. Each group tries to offer some explanation of how it works, but since we cannot fathom the mind of God, each group fails to satisfactorily cover the topic. Each group also takes a slightly different slant on the whole doctrine which leaves some confusion if our source of information is church doctrine statements and not the Bible.
In short, the doctrine of election teaches that our good and gracious God by His own divine choice has appointed some to salvation. The result is that all the others are left to their own well deserved punishment of eternal separation from God. Some groups teach that God has actually chosen all the non-elect to be elected to hell, but this is not a universally held position by all Calvinists.
The point is that all men, due to sin, deserve eternal death. God warned about the consequences of sin to Adam and Eve and they ignored the warning. God has warned every generation and they have all ignored the warning. God, in His infinite grace and love, then sent His own eternal Son to die the horrible death of the cross for mankind’s sin. Now He invites people to come to Him and receive forgiveness of sin through the finished work of the cross of Calvary. It is a free gift paid for entirely by God. Since people reject this love of God they are deserving of whatever fate they receive.
Now, if God chooses some for salvation, that is purest love since none of us deserve it. If others are not chosen they are only receiving what they had already justly deserved. God has not somehow condemned the innocent but has in grace taken those of His choice for eternal life when they should rightly be going to hell. If we come to God we are the elect. If we ignore God unto death, we are not. If we go on in the casual indifference to our own sinfulness, then we rightly deserve what we get. If we respond to His grace then we demonstrate the perfection of His election. If we ponder this too long we will go nuts! Instead of going nuts, let’s just believe by faith what we cannot understand.
Let us now consider Romans 3:23-24. Romans 3:24 is explained in Romans 5:1. The justification is the product of faith. Justification is for all who believe. That makes it universal. It is not just for the Jew but also for the Gentile. It is not just for the rich but for the slave as well. It is not just for men but for women and children as well. It is not just for the educated but for all who will believe. The illiterate or the PhD., the pauper or the prince, the American or the Arab – all who will believe are justified by the redemptive work of Christ.
Sin is our act. It is mankind’s opus work. All choose to sin and so all choose to accept the punishment of sin. The Cross is God’s opus work. Through the cross God can rightly justify those somehow chosen to sovereign grace. That you care enough to ponder these great truths demonstrates the sovereign grace of God. That others simply scoff demonstrates the justice of God in letting men choose their own destruction. Therefore God’s love and grace can bring Him the glory that is His due.