The following is a substack comment and my response to that comment:
Comment: Universalism is a false doctrine that ignores most of the words of Jesus . Those verses show God’s desire and provision for all to be saved, not that everyone will be saved. God wants all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9), but He doesn’t override free will. Jesus Himself said the road to life is narrow and few find it (Matthew 7:14).
If universal salvation were true, Jesus’ many parables about judgment wouldn’t make sense — the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25:31–46), the wheat and the tares (Matthew 13:24–30), the wise and foolish virgins (Matthew 25:1–13), and the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19–31) all show a clear and eternal separation between those who accept God’s grace and those who reject it.
Every knee will bow, yes — but acknowledgment of Christ’s lordship isn’t the same as saving faith. God’s mercy is offered to everyone, but Jesus consistently taught that the final outcome depends on whether a person truly repents and follows Him (John 3:36).
My response:
The God Who Finishes What He Starts: A Response to “Free Will” Theology
By Scott Hicko
The Label Doesn’t Refute the Truth
Some people love to throw around the term “universalism” as if it’s a silver bullet that discredits everything Scripture says about God saving all.
But simply attaching a label doesn’t change what the Bible actually declares.
None of the passages that teach God’s ultimate reconciliation of all creation use that term — yet many act as if using a man-made label automatically invalidates Scripture itself.
It doesn’t. It only reveals how quickly tradition rushes to defend itself when truth threatens its foundation.
A Weak God or a Victorious One?
The God you describe sounds more like a frustrated spectator than the Sovereign of all creation.
You portray a deity who wants to save all, but somehow can’t — because human “free will” is just too powerful.
That’s not the Almighty God of Scripture; that’s a powerless idol made in man’s image.
Scripture says:
“God works all things according to the counsel of His will.” — Ephesians 1:11
“God wills all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” — 1 Timothy 2:4
If He wills it, He accomplishes it. Period.
The cross isn’t a hopeful attempt — it’s a finished victory.
The God of the Bible doesn’t merely offer salvation; He secures it.
The Cross Is Not Conditional
Religion presents a “potential” Savior who tries His best and hopes for cooperation.
But Scripture reveals a victorious Savior who finished His work:
“God is the Savior of all mankind, especially of believers.” — 1 Timothy 4:10
That single word — especially — confirms the “all.”
Believers experience it now by grace; the rest will come through judgment and reconciliation until, finally:
“Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” — Philippians 2:10–11
That’s not “universalism.”
That’s universal victory — the triumph of the cross.
The Myth of Free Will
Did Saul of Tarsus exercise free will when God struck him blind and revealed Christ to him?
Did Jacob and Esau choose their destinies before birth, or did God determine them “that the purpose of election might stand” (Romans 9:11)?
Paul demolishes free-will theology:
“It is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that shows mercy.” — Romans 9:16
God chose His vessels before time began (2 Timothy 1:9).
No one wills themselves into grace. Grace wills itself into you.
Rightly Dividing the Word
Jesus’ earthly ministry focused on Israel, not the nations.
He was sent to “the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 15:24), fulfilling covenant promises to the patriarchs.
When He spoke about keeping the law or enduring to the end, it was in the context of entering the thousand-year kingdom — not eternal salvation.
He raised the standard of the law, not to burden, but to expose humanity’s inability to fulfill it.
That’s why Peter later said:
“Why put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?” — Acts 15:10
The law’s purpose was never self-righteous achievement — it was a tutor leading to Christ (Galatians 3:24).
The glorified Christ then revealed to Paul the final mystery — that the cross didn’t just redeem Israel, but all creation (Colossians 1:20).
Even those who miss the thousand-year kingdom will eventually be reconciled, because:
“The last enemy to be abolished is death.” — 1 Corinthians 15:26
If death still reigns, Christ’s victory is incomplete.
If even one soul remains lost forever, then sin wins.
But Scripture leaves no such gap: “God will be all in all.” — 1 Corinthians 15:28
Misunderstood Parables
You cite Jesus’ parables as proof of eternal damnation — but that’s a misreading of their context.
The Sheep and Goats (Matthew 25) concerns the judgment of nations based on their treatment of Israel — not individual salvation.
The Rich Man and Lazarus symbolizes the Pharisees losing their place of privilege while the humble and faithful inherit the kingdom.
Neither parable defines eternal destiny; both address the coming kingdom age, not eternity.
Who Gives Repentance and Faith?
You claim God desires all to repent but won’t “override” free will.
Scripture says otherwise:
“God may grant them repentance.” — 2 Timothy 2:25
“In Him we live and move and have our being.” — Acts 17:28
If God gives life, breath, and existence to all, then repentance and faith are no exceptions.
They are His gifts — not our contributions.
The Real Problem
Every argument you make exalts man and diminishes God.
Your theology shrinks the cross, weakens sovereignty, and glorifies free will — the one thing Scripture consistently crushes.
If your gospel makes God smaller and man stronger, you’re not defending the truth; you’re denying it.
The true gospel doesn’t hang on man’s decision.
It stands on Christ’s accomplishment.
Conclusion
Christ didn’t make salvation possible.
He made it inevitable.
He didn’t die for a chance — He died for a certainty.
And when the ages reach their fulfillment, every enemy — sin, death, and unbelief — will be gone, and God will be all in all.
That’s not wishful thinking.
That’s Scripture.
Saved ignoble 
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