La Leçon de catéchisme (Catechism Lesson), 1890, by Jules-Alexis Muenier (1863-1942), oil on canvas, Musée des beaux-arts et d’archéologie de Besançon

Always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you, but do so with gentleness and reverence.”

cf. 1 Peter 3:15-16

catechesis

A daily morsel of Catholic education and faith formation.

God

All-Loving

QUESTION OR COMMON OBJECTION:

If God is all-loving, why doesn’t he save everyone?

CATHOLIC ANSWER:

God truly wants all people to be saved, but he does not force our will when it comes to choosing him. Some people choose not to accept the gift of salvation he offers.

[God] desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.”

1 Timothy 2:4

God gave us free will because he loves us. Without free will, we would be like robots, and a robot can’t love. Only a person, with free will, can truly love. This is what God wants from us – to love him freely.

Other References: Mk 13:13, 16:15-16; Lk 13:23-30, 18:24-30; Jn 3:16; 1 Cor 1:18, 15:1-2; CCC 161-167

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from the author

It may seem hard to understand that a loving God would permit someone not to be saved. But God, in his love for me and you, gives us freedom. Such freedom allows choice. We have the freedom to accept God’s love or reject it. We have the freedom to accept his invitation to choose God’s will or reject it. We have the freedom to choose salvation or reject it. So, it’s really a matter of someone accepting or rejecting God’s invitation of love and gift of salvation. You just can’t force someone to love you. No matter how much force one applies, you can’t force someone to love you – you just can’t.

As Origen of Alexandria once said, “Free will is the power of choosing good and evil.” God loves us infinitely to allow the freedom of such a choice.

catholic answers

karlo broussard

tim staples

word on fire | bishop barron | on Whether Hell is Crowded or Empty

catechism of the Catholic Church

For information about what the Catholic Church believes, answers to FAQs, and an encompassing resource addressing common objections and misconceptions non-Catholics and Catholics alike may have about the Church and what it teaches, we invite you to visit the online version of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

PRAYER

Let us pray.

Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.

Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.

May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.

Amen.