In Mark 4:10-12, we read, "When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. He told them, 'The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables so that, ''they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!'" What does this mean? Does it have something to with the elect? That some are chosen and others not? -- Joakim Silén (Stockholm)
Yes and no. No, if you mean that God selects people for salvation arbitrarily. His election is actually based on our selection. If we select to follow Jesus, then he elects us. But yes, because God chooses people who choose him. He is unwilling to force people, to violate their free will. That is why some people will remain deaf, blind, and senseless. For more on this, see 2 Thessalonians 2:13-15.
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