Did God really die for only a select few?

There has been an ongoing debate for years now over the effects of the death of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. When I say "effects," what I mean is the people for whom Christ died? Did Jesus's blood really open the opportunity for everyone to receive salvation or was it for only a select few. This is better known as the Calvinist v. Arminian debate. But who is right. To be honest, is there a right side? Does it even matter? Or can we even know the right answer or is it something mysterious that God does not want us to know. I have heard people in my life say comments such as, "I don't know which side is right. I guess we will just have to wait until we get to Heaven to find out." But here is the thing. We will have to give an account for how well we stuck to the Word of God when we get to Heaven. Taking the position of the person who made the above quote does not sound like a good position once you think about it, now does it. Here is the great thing. Through careful study and observation of the entire Word of God, the Old and New Testaments, one can find the definite answer to this plague that has hit the body of Christ.

First of all, to answer the question, yes God died for each and every person. Everyone has a chance to receive salvation and no one is predestined to Heaven or Hell. First of all, I would like someone to tell me where in the Bible it says that God predestines people to Heaven or Hell in those exact words. It doesn't say it. But I can tell you where in the Bible says that salvation has been brought to all men in those words. Titus 2:11 says, "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men." (NASB) Without even getting into heavy Scripture that applies directly to this subject, we can prove that Calvinism is inconsistent with the teachings of the Word of God.
One such example is this. The purpose of the Bible is to equip us for the calling that God has on our lives and to make us more like Christ. The character that God requires of us in the Bible is the character that is like His. 2 Timothy 3:16 says, "All Scripture in inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." (NASB) So it is safe to say that the Bible instructs us to have character that mirrors that of God. So if Calvinism is true, then it is in direct contradiction to the Word of God in James chapter 2. This chapter talks about how showing partiality, or favor to one over another, is a sin. (see James 2:9) Basically, this passage is telling us that being nice to the people we like and mean to the ones we don't like is wrong. Now tell me how predestination is in line with that passage. If God predestined people to Heaven and Hell, He would be showing favor to one over another. Since when can God exhibit a double standard. He can't. The Word of God is designed so that our character will be like His. And according to James chapter 2, predestination is unBiblical because God would be showing favoritism which according to the Word is a sin. To go along with this passage, 1 Peter 1:17 further tells us that God is not a God who shows favoritism. This verse says, "If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth." This verse is further proof that God does not show favoritism to one over another or predestines people, but He judges impartially according to each one's work without showing favoritism. I have not even come close to touching all the Scriptures that prove that God died for each and every person, but I hope this will give you a foundation to build off of. God bless you!