Would God pass anyone by who wanted to believe?

February 20, 2025

One of my lifelong, favorite invitation hymns has been “Pass Me Not Oh Gentle Savior.” But for some time now I have realized I don’t agree with the theological premise that our Lord would pass anyone by. That notion stems from the view that God chooses to save some and chooses to reprobate or pass others by. But scripture says that God is not willing that any should perish but that all come to repentance. Who-so-ever will may come, so if God is choosing who to save, He would choose all of us. Therefore, I believe He calls everyone to believe passing no one by. It is the individual, when called, who refuses to repent and believe. So, I offer different words to the tune of “Pass Me Not Oh Gentle Savior”: “I believe Oh gentle Savior, hear my humble cry. I believe, Oh gentle Savior, I trust You with my life. Savior, Savior, hear my humble cry, I believe Oh precious Savior, I trust you with my life.”