Are we chosen to be Christians?
God is supposed to know us before we are born. He has chosen some to become Christians. Others have not been chosen by Him. I am struggling with the concept even though it makes sense.
If born into a Muslim family a person will almost certainly become a Muslim. Same for Jews, Hindus etc etc. So it makes sense.
When He has chosen us to be born into a Christian family, He has increased our chances of salvation. Our free will may lead us elsewhere but that will be rare. He has stacked the deck in our favor.
What about the many more He has not chosen. Does God not love them as much or at all? Is He depending on their "free will" to choose Christ but starts them with the deck stacked against them?
I hear stories of children accepting Christ at a very young age and question how much of that is peer pressure. Is the Holy Ghost working in some of them, but not others? It seems ludicrous to celebrate a 5 year old accepting Jesus when we do not trust them to decide what to have for breakfast. Do 5 year old Muslims etc etc accept Christ?...I think not.
How much of our faith is pre-destined and how much is free will? It seems to me most of it is pre-destined, but I see both examples in the Bible.
I was born in a family of atheists and came to Christ late in life. God hit me with a 2x4 a few times. I do not know why He has saved me, but He has. I wonder about those He has not chosen to be saved. Why?