Calvinists believe in limited atonement. This means that Christ’s death was intended to secure salvation for God’s chosen people, not make salvation possible for everyone. Calvinists argue Jesus only lays down His life “for the sheep” (John 10:11, 15), that He came to save “His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21), and that He gave Himself for His bride, the church (Ephesians 5:25; Acts 20:28). Calvinists interpret Revelation 5:9 to mean Christ purchased people for God “from every tribe and language and people and nation.” The atonement is therefore unlimited in value, but limited in its saving purpose to the elect.

The God of the Bible is merciful, pleads with His people to choose life, and sent the Light of the World to seek and to save the lost. The God of the Bible is a just Judge who must punish evil but does not delight in the death of the wicked (Ezek. 18:23; 33:11). He invites all who thirst to come and buy water without money or price (Isa. 55:1). He reasons with them, asking why they spend their money for that which is not bread, and urges them instead to seek Him while He is near (Isa. 55:2, 6). He instructs them not to harden their hearts, but to turn and live. He stretches out His hands to a disobedient and contrary people (Isa. 65:2; Rom. 10:21). He calls the weary and burdened to come to Him for rest (Matt. 11:28), and He declares that whoever comes to Him will never be cast out (John 6:37).

He declares His love for the world and invites everyone to the same offer: believe (condition) and you will have eternal life (promise) (John 3:16). He commands all people everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30), desires all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim. 2:4), and gave Himself as a ransom for all (1 Tim. 2:6). Christ is the atoning sacrifice not only for our sins, but also for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2). The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people (Titus 2:11), and the Spirit and the bride continue to say, “Come,” inviting whoever desires to take the water of life freely (Rev. 22:17).

He has revealed Himself so that all would seek Him (Acts 17:26–27), and He is not far from any of us. He has not left Himself without a witness, but has shown kindness through His provision for all people (Acts 14:17). He is the God who is concerned about a lost foreign people, seeking to show mercy and trying to convince an angry, judgment-seeking prophet to change his heart to mirror His own (Jonah 4:10–11). He is the God who demonstrates mercy toward His entire creation (Ps. 145:8–9), sends rain upon the just and the unjust (Matt. 5:45), and whose kindness is meant to draw sinners to repentance (Rom. 2:4).

He is the God who weeps over Jerusalem and laments that, although He sought to gather them, they were unwilling (Matt. 23:37; Luke 19:41–44). He is the Christ who looked upon the rich young ruler and loved him even as the man rejected His call (Mark 10:21–22). He is the Savior who forgave those crucifying Him, who welcomed sinners, who ate with tax collectors, and who came not to condemn the world but to save it (Luke 23:34; Luke 15:1–2; John 3:17). God is patient toward us, not willing that any should perish, but desiring all to come to repentance (2 Pet. 3:9). His consistent appeal is not, “You were never wanted,” but, “Turn and live.”