Why all people are not saved?

[Carl Emerson]

I have an issue with the concept of salvation hinging on our choice for these reasons.

1. The scripture does not say many are called but few choose.

2. God is looking for an eternal family who are eternally thankful for their salvation. So to attribute any part of the process to us deciding, is allowing pride to creep in. The scripture says it is not of your selves, it is a gift from God lest there be boasting.

3. The concept of God choosing His elect before birth is well established in scripture.

4. The prodigal son didn't say I'm coming back - he asked - would You have me back.

5. Linked to 4 is to be prostrate before Him and to be lifted up. To be prostrate means you are relinquishing your choices to His will.

6. Being a prodigal myself, I have a deep sense that I have nothing to offer Him, being acutely conscious of my depravity, and His free gift that I don't deserve is overwhelming.

 

[bling]

You won't see a full picture of Christ living amongst us through Christians until you see someone knot up a rope and whoop the girl scouts selling cookies in front of the churches, because that's what Christ did to the money changers in the Temple.

Even Jesus knew there was a time to fight and a time to rest, and, if there comes a time to fight there has to be people your going to fight against, and that can't be the people your loving.

God is more than the sum of only one attribute. It is just as true of God to say God sometimes withholds mercy from some people, as it is to say God is love.

In the end, everything God does is entirely Just simply because He's God - He's the one who defines Justice.

Wow! How do you know Jesus used the whip he made on people and not just all the animal for sale to drive them out?

We know for certain: Christ knew exactly what was on the hearts of each of those sellers and money changers, in the temple. If they had felt at the time: we are doing everything right and nothing wrong, do you think one person could drive them all out?

If you know you are doing something shady and someone comes along shouting the truth against you, fear comes upon you.

Are these girl scouts intentionally trying to take advantage of people? Are they causing some to be distracted in their worship?

Is the church building of today replacing the old Jewish Temple or is it the Christian themselves?

You seem to be suggesting Jesus wanted to “punish”, beat up, really hurt these sinners for their sinning, but hell is the just punishment for sin. This seems to be a more disciplining action, teaching the people Jesus’ authority, a lesson for the Temple leadership, and a real learning experience for everyone.

I am not seeing Jesus being personally satisfied with this incident unless real change happened.

Do you understand the difference between punishing your child and disciplining your child?

Everything Christ and God did and does has been for the good of those who are willing to accept His help.

The question: How do you justify God not saving everyone?

 

[Maria Billingsley]

I have an issue with the concept of salvation hinging on our choice for these reasons.

1. The scripture does not say many are called but few choose.

2. God is looking for an eternal family who are eternally thankful for their salvation. So to attribute any part of the process to us deciding, is allowing pride to creep in. The scripture says it is not of your selves, it is a gift from God lest there be boasting.

3. The concept of God choosing His elect before birth is well established in scripture.

4. The prodigal son didn't say I'm coming back - he asked - would You have me back.

5. Linked to 4 is to be prostrate before Him and to be lifted up. To be prostrate means you are relinquishing your choices to His will.

6. Being a prodigal myself, I have a deep sense that I have nothing to offer Him, being acutely conscious of my depravity, and His free gift that I don't deserve is overwhelming.

Why make God non-inclusive? Is He not the Creator of all? Does He not Love all regardless of their narrow knowledge of Him? Is not His Son He who laid down His life for humanity proof of how much He loves all of us? God did not choose a random elect, His elect are those who chose Him. Just as Jesus Christ of Nazareth chose to do the will of the Father for All.So shall those who believe in Him will know His Love
through our Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth on the Day of the Lord.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Understanding the character of God is the first step to salvation.

 

[Hazelelponi]

Wow! How do you know Jesus used the whip he made on people and not just all the animal for sale to drive them out?

I know only what the Bible tells us, I was making a point. Jesus had more than one aspect, even on earth - one most people like yourself conveniently ignore for a God more to your own liking.

We know for certain: Christ knew exactly what was on the hearts of each of those sellers and money changers, in the temple.

Yes. We do. As a matter of fact I quoted scripture earlier in this thread on that very topic.

If they had felt at the time: we are doing everything right and nothing wrong, do you think one person could drive them all out?

I don't think Jesus was a "person" like either you or I. The Word of God spoken with all authority such as I know the Son of God spoke, convicts...

If you know you are doing something shady and someone comes along shouting the truth against you, fear comes upon you.

Not necessarily... I don't think the truth bothers most people any at all..

Are these girl scouts intentionally trying to take advantage of people?

no, they just sell cookies for cash.

Are they causing some to be distracted in their worship?

why would that matter? The money changers actually provided a necessary service to the Temple worshippers and visitors, unlike a girl scout selling her wares..

The buying and selling of animals for sacrifice and the payment of the Temple taxes were actual requirements of Jewish law.. cookies are just fattening.

Is the church building of today replacing the old Jewish Temple? or is it the Christian themselves?

One could answer yes to both, as the role of today's church building has a partial function in common with the Temple, but as a whole the Temple in Jerusalem was replaced by our bodies, in that the Holy Spirit now dwells in each of God's people.

You seem to be suggesting Jesus wanted to “punish”, beat up, really hurt these sinners for their sinning, but hell is the just punishment for sin.

No.. I'm suggesting that Jesus was righteously and justly angry at what the Temple of God had been turned into by men, and in righteous anger drove the offenders out.

It was a statement in action.

This seems to be a more disciplining action, teaching the people Jesus’ authority, a lesson for the Temple leadership, and a real learning experience for everyone.

Well. It taught them His authority for real.. The lesson is lost to this day on many, however.

I am not seeing Jesus being personally satisfied with this incident unless real change happened.

But real change did in fact happen...now, the Temple is closed to those who would defile it and turn it into something it was never meant to be, as was originally the intent.

Do you understand the difference between punishing your child and disciplining your child?

yes.

Everything Christ and God did and does has been for the good [snip].

Certainly.

The question: How do you justify God not saving everyone?

not all belong to Christ from before the foundations of the world.

 

[Mathetes66]

"Why all people are not saved?"

I am not sure what you mean. You take a statement & then make it a question but in a form that is difficult to interpret what you mean. Can you please rephrase the question to communicate what you are asking. Thanks.

Now on to your next question. "Is the best answer: “Only God knows & you will have to ask Him when you get to heaven?” No, it isn't the best answer because God has already answered it.

Now on to your third question asked 2 different ways:

"Could God not save anyone & be true to His nature? Could God save everyone & be true to His nature?"

God will be true to His nature, whether someone is saved or not. You are dealing with hypothetical questions that don't deal with reality & with Scripture. Some people ARE SAVED & some people are NOT saved. That is the truth & fact & reality.

Now on to your next section:

"According to some, God could just as easily & righteously save your neighbor as you, so would you be just as happy or even happier if God saved your neighbor instead of you, since you are to Love your neighbor as Christ Loves them? How is this selection method not arbitrary?"

Again you are dealing with a non-reality hypothetical situation that isn't based on truth. And the Scripture is: 'Love your neighbor as you love yourself.' And it is not arbitrary because God has stated the difference between those who are saved & those who are not is belief in Christ to save them as their Lord & Savior. The 'gospel is the power of God for salvation, to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first & also to the Gentile.'

One cannot select one attribute of God to the exclusion of the other attributes of God. All operate harmoniously. So if one says God is the EPITOME of love, to the exclusion of His other attributes, then one is NOT accurately describing the Biblical God. This is a false god. God is the epitome of holiness at the same time God is the epitome of righteousness at the same time God is the epitome of justness at the same time, God is the epitome of love & so on.

It appears as if you have an agenda, for all these hypothetical questions & meanderings. Cutting to the chase, it appears that your real motive is to try & marginalize people going to hell & the real issue is that you are questioning God why He justly casts people into hell (Gehenna) for eternity?

People end up in hell based on their own choices, their own words & actions--coming back to judge them. They are judged based on their own self-righteousness & self-justification & not based upon Christ's death on the cross & the resurrection. They rejected Christ & chose to rebel against a holy & just God.

Romans 9:12-14 In the words of the Scriptures, “I loved Jacob, but I rejected Esau.” What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Certainly not!

2 Chron 19:7 And now, may the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for with the LORD our God there is NO injustice, partiality, or bribery."

Job 34:10 "Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God to do wrong, and for the Almighty to act unjustly."

Psalm 92:15 "...proclaim, "The LORD is upright; He is my rock & in Him there is no unrighteousness."

Job 40:8 Would you really annul My justice? Would you condemn Me to justify yourself?

Psalm 51:4 Against You, You only, have I sinned &done what is evil in Your sight, so that You may be proved right when You speak & blameless when You judge.

Romans 7:7,13 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

Deut 32:4 He is the Rock, His work is perfect: for all His ways are judgment: a God of truth & without iniquity, just & right is He.

Psalm 7:11 God judges the righteous & God is ANGRY with the wicked EVERY day.

Romans 3:3-5 Certainly not! Let God be true & every man a liar. As it is written: “So that You may be proved right when You speak & victorious when You judge.”But if our unrighteousness highlights the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unjust to inflict His wrath on us? I am speaking in human terms. Certainly not! In that case, how could God judge the world?

Your hypothetical & convoluted argument based on eisogetical methods of pulling verses out of their contexts, does NOT prove: 'not saving some HAS TO BE to the benefit of others.' It doesn't. God is not benefited because 'He desires all men to be saved & to come to the acknowledgement of the truth...He is not wishing any perish but all come to repentance.'

Others are not benefited, who have prayed for the salvation of this person and/or have shared the gospel with this person. It doesn't benefit the person being cast into hell (gehenna). Yet the basis of the judgment & the wrath is based upon unbelief, not trusting in Christ to save them from the judgment & wrath of God.

 

[Carl Emerson]

Why make God non-inclusive? Is He not the Creator of all? Does He not Love all regardless of their narrow knowledge of Him? Is not His Son He who laid down His life for humanity proof of how much He loves all of us? God did not choose His elect, His elect chose Him. Just as Jesus Christ of Nazareth chose to do the will of the Father for All.So shall those who believe in Him will know His Love
through our Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth on the Day of the Lord.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Understanding the character of God is the first step to salvation.

He is not inclusive because He is Holy. Yes He loves all, but will not fellowship with unrighteousness. There are many instances in scripture where He calls His chosen.

 

[bling]

duplicate

 

[bling]

What I have found is that when Christ comes as a thief in the night, you must be converted.
Matt.18

1. [3] And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

1. [3] And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Mark.4

1. [12] That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.

The following Verse shows how different one becomes once Baptized in The Holy Spirit.

Luke.22

1. [32] But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Everyone going to Heaven must be converted. That change must stay to the end with constant improvements.

These verses speak to those being addressed and not to all humans whoever lived. Other passages at other times address the individuals they are addressing. These are not some philosophical statements made for all people at all times.

Are you saying God does not have the power and Love to save people who are not “converted” by your standard of conversion?

“Conversion” can just be a turning, repenting and all mature adults do sin (do stuff that hurts others) which leads for at least a while to a heavy burden on their conscience. People try to relieve that burden with lots of things: work, family, sex, drugs, knowledge and false religion, but sincerely turning (converting) to the creator of the universe prayerfully asking for help will result in “what”? Would God listen to such a person, help such a person or turn away from such a person?

 

[bling]

Hate is the exact opposite of love. You cannot know one without the other.

We are told by Christ to both Love and hate our families, so they cannot be opposites.

 

[lsume]

These verses speak to those being addressed and not to all humans whoever lived. Other passages at other times address the individuals they are addressing. These are not some philosophical statements made for all people at all times.

Are you saying God does not have the power and Love to save people who are not “converted” by your standard of conversion?

“Conversion” can just be a turning, repenting and all mature adults do sin (do stuff that hurts others) which leads for at least a while to a heavy burden on their conscience. People try to relieve that burden with lots of things: work, family, sex, drugs, knowledge and false religion, but sincerely turning (converting) to the creator of the universe prayerfully asking for help will result in “what”? Would God listen to such a person, help such a person or turn away from such a person?

Since God The Father doesn’t want any to parish, I believe no human will parish.

Matt.19

1. [26] But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

1Tim.4

1. 
   [10] For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.

 

[Dave L]

We are told by Christ to both Love and hate our families, so they cannot be opposites.

“Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” Matthew 5:43–44 (KJV 1900)

Huge difference.....

 

[bling]

I have an issue with the concept of salvation hinging on our choice for these reasons.

You have a right to be concerned because there is lots of false teaching out there.

1. The scripture does not say many are called but few choose.

In the parables of the banquets we see everyone being invited (called) and some refused to go, but all those that went were chosen to be there (the few chosen) the Master did not kidnap a few.

2. God is looking for an eternal family who are eternally thankful for their salvation. So to attribute any part of the process to us deciding, is allowing pride to creep in. The scripture says it is not of your selves, it is a gift from God lest there be boasting.

There is no pride in wimping out, giving up and surrendering to your enemy while God is still your enemy. Where is the pride in a needy beggar honestly asking for undeserved pure charity? There are no monuments built to those who surrendered, but there can be monuments built to those who fought to the death on both sides of the war. Most who surrender still hate and want to kill their enemy, they may feel they deserve to be tortured to death for past war crimes, but they are willing to humbly accept undeserved charity from their hated enemy. Only after God showers them with undeserved gifts can they act out of gratitude and want to serve God.

3. The concept of God choosing His elect before birth is well established in scripture.

Right! God established before time began, He would save all those who were willing to accept His Love as charity.

4. The prodigal son didn't say I'm coming back - he asked - would You have me back.

Right again! The prodigal son returned for selfish reasons (wanting to just have some kind of undeserved livable life), so he was willing to humbly accept pure undeserved charity and that is all the nonbelieving sinner needs to do.

5. Linked to 4 is to be prostrate before Him and to be lifted up. To be prostrate means you are relinquishing your choices to His will.

Yes, getting to that point is man’s choice.

6. Being a prodigal myself, I have a deep sense that I have nothing to offer Him, being acutely conscious of my depravity, and His free gift that I don't deserve is overwhelming.

Agree, we just have to be humble enough to accept undeserved charity.

 

[bling]

I know only what the Bible tells us, I was making a point. Jesus had more than one aspect, even on earth - one most people like yourself conveniently ignore for a God more to your own liking.

God is all knowing, all powerful, all present, all benevolent. God is Just, fair, purpose driven.

Do you agree?
What other qualities do you see and give scripture?

Yes. We do. As a matter of fact I quoted scripture earlier in this thread on that very topic.

What?

why would that matter? The money changers actually provided a necessary service to the Temple worshippers and visitors, unlike a girl scout selling her wares..

The money changers were in the Gentile worship area using their space. They were charging high rates.

No.. I'm suggesting that Jesus was righteously and justly angry at what the Temple of God had been turned into by men, and in righteous anger drove the offenders out.
It was a statement in action.

Unless the Bible tells us we cannot say what the motive was, but Christ was constantly “teaching/ mentoring” others and did not just react without thinking.

But real change did in fact happen...now, the Temple is closed to those who would defile it and turn it into something it was never meant to be, as was originally the intent.



not all belong to Christ from before the foundations of the world.
[/QUOTE]
Why did God make everyone belong to Christ from the beginning of time?

 

[bling]

I am not sure what you mean. You take a statement & then make it a question but in a form that is difficult to interpret what you mean. Can you please rephrase the question to communicate what you are asking. Thanks.

Now on to your next question. "Is the best answer: “Only God knows & you will have to ask Him when you get to heaven?” No, it isn't the best answer because God has already answered it.

Now on to your third question asked 2 different ways:

God will be true to His nature, whether someone is saved or not. You are dealing with hypothetical questions that don't deal with reality & with Scripture. Some people ARE SAVED & some people are NOT saved. That is the truth & fact & reality.

Now on to your next section:



Again you are dealing with a non-reality hypothetical situation that isn't based on truth. And the Scripture is: 'Love your neighbor as you love yourself.' And it is not arbitrary because God has stated the difference between those who are saved & those who are not is belief in Christ to save them as their Lord & Savior. The 'gospel is the power of God for salvation, to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first & also to the Gentile.'

One cannot select one attribute of God to the exclusion of the other attributes of God. All operate harmoniously. So if one says God is the EPITOME of love, to the exclusion of His other attributes, then one is NOT accurately describing the Biblical God. This is a false god. God is the epitome of holiness at the same time God is the epitome of righteousness at the same time God is the epitome of justness at the same time, God is the epitome of love & so on.

It appears as if you have an agenda, for all these hypothetical questions & meanderings. Cutting to the chase, it appears that your real motive is to try & marginalize people going to hell & the real issue is that you are questioning God why He justly casts people into hell (Gehenna) for eternity?

People end up in hell based on their own choices, their own words & actions--coming back to judge them. They are judged based on their own self-righteousness & self-justification & not based upon Christ's death on the cross & the resurrection. They rejected Christ & chose to rebel against a holy & just God.

Romans 9:12-14 In the words of the Scriptures, “I loved Jacob, but I rejected Esau.” What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Certainly not!

2 Chron 19:7 And now, may the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for with the LORD our God there is NO injustice, partiality, or bribery."

Job 34:10 "Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God to do wrong, and for the Almighty to act unjustly."

Psalm 92:15 "...proclaim, "The LORD is upright; He is my rock & in Him there is no unrighteousness."

Job 40:8 Would you really annul My justice? Would you condemn Me to justify yourself?

Psalm 51:4 Against You, You only, have I sinned &done what is evil in Your sight, so that You may be proved right when You speak & blameless when You judge.

Romans 7:7,13 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

Deut 32:4 He is the Rock, His work is perfect: for all His ways are judgment: a God of truth & without iniquity, just & right is He.

Psalm 7:11 God judges the righteous & God is ANGRY with the wicked EVERY day.

Romans 3:3-5 Certainly not! Let God be true & every man a liar. As it is written: “So that You may be proved right when You speak & victorious when You judge.”But if our unrighteousness highlights the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unjust to inflict His wrath on us? I am speaking in human terms. Certainly not! In that case, how could God judge the world?

Your hypothetical & convoluted argument based on eisogetical methods of pulling verses out of their contexts, does NOT prove: 'not saving some HAS TO BE to the benefit of others.' It doesn't. God is not benefited because 'He desires all men to be saved & to come to the acknowledgement of the truth...He is not wishing any perish but all come to repentance.'

Others are not benefited, who have prayed for the salvation of this person and/or have shared the gospel with this person. It doesn't benefit the person being cast into hell (gehenna). Yet the basis of the judgment & the wrath is based upon unbelief, not trusting in Christ to save them from the judgment & wrath of God.

A lot of what you say, I fully agree with.

Just because I say: “God is the epitome of Love”, does not mean God is not the epitome of justice, holiness, righteousness, shepherding and parenting, which He is.

To believe God arbitrarily selected some to have the ability to be saved (have faith) and thus arbitrarily select some not to be saved is inconsistent with God’s Love, justice, righteousness, holiness, shepherding and parenting.

This apparent “inconsistency” is resolved with all mature adults given the ability to have a saving faith, but the person has to direct their God given faith toward a benevolent God to just the point of being willing to humbly accept God’s undeserved pure charity toward them.

I am just pointing out the inconsistency between God’s Love and an arbitrary selection method.

Do you have another method for resolving this apparent inconsistency?

 

[bling]

Since God The Father doesn’t want any to parish, I believe no human will parish.

Matt.19

1. 
   
   
   • [26] But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

1Tim.4

1. 
   [10] For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.

God is not going to force people to go to heaven and be unhappy. Heaven is a place of only Godly type Love (like a huge Love feast), but most people have repeatedly shown and will never want unselfish Love shown to them or have that Love exclusively to extend to others, they want to be loved for the way they want others to perceive them to be.

 

[bling]

“Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” Matthew 5:43–44 (KJV 1900)

Huge difference.....

I was not talking about Loving our enemies who hate us, but loving and hating our families at the same time.

 

[lsume]

God is not going to force people to go to heaven and be unhappy. Heaven is a place of only Godly type Love (like a huge Love feast), but most people have repeatedly shown and will never want unselfish Love shown to them or have that Love exclusively to extend to others, they want to be loved for the way they want others to perceive them to be.

That didn’t mean that everyone is going to be happy.

 

[Hazelelponi]

Why did God make everyone belong to Christ from the beginning of time?

He didn't "make everyone belong to Christ".. Hence why not everyone is saved.

Proverbs 16:4 "The LORD works out everything to its proper end-- even the wicked for a day of disaster."

Unless the Bible tells us we cannot say what the motive was, but Christ was constantly “teaching/ mentoring” others and did not just react without thinking.

Two things here. First, the righteous anger of our Lord and Savior was not a reaction without thought, and I never indicated it was. According to scripture He had plenty of time to sit and make the knots in that rope... That's some well planned, well thought out righteous anger.

And there is absolutely no need to guess why Jesus did what He did in driving out the money changers. The Bible tells you why, in Jesus's own words...

You may appreciate reading the Bible on this topic.

As for making the Temple of God into a den of thieves, I think 3.00 for a box of cookies, not one dime of which benefits or forwards our faith, could definitely be argued as such in the girls scouts analogy..

 

[Dave L]

I was not talking about Loving our enemies who hate us, but loving and hating our families at the same time.

You can hate your family and treat them with love at the same time.

 

[Mathetes66]

Thanks for your response back. I appreciate that. And I concur, there are some things with which we agree. But I am still confused as to what you mean by the very title of this thread & so far you haven't addressed this, for myself & others, so we can respond more accurately. I would appreciate if you would address this issue.

And I am confused that you also haven't IDENTIFIED who these people are who YOU SAY make this supposed 'arbitrary selection method.' 'These people' are often used by others in their argument--no matter the topic--& yet are very vague as to identity & almost a straw man argument over a confusing unidentified group that supposedly makes this arbitrary selection. Could you please identify who this group is that does this? Thanks.

You say you agree with me on God's harmonizing character, yet in your conclusion you go right back to only mentioning God's love & charity. You actually use the other aspects of God's character as being the inconsistent part of God.

"I am just pointing out the inconsistency between God’s Love and an arbitrary selection method."

"To believe God arbitrarily selects some to have ability to be saved (have faith) & thus arbitrarily select some not to be saved is inconsistent with God’s Love, justice, righteousness, holiness, shepherding and parenting."

I already pointed out in many Scriptures that there IS NO inconsistency in God's character nor in HIS SELECTION. It is not man's selection, it is God's & God is not inconsistent in either His harmonized character nor in His selection process.

It also appears you are teaching universalism to solve this 'strawman' argument of inconsistency that you have set up without defining the presuppositions, with which I have been asking. It appears you are testing the waters with a clever humanistic argument.

Universalism has been shown to be a false doctrine ever since the first century. This is is why you seem silent about the issue of God's judgment & wrath against unbelievers in casting them into hell (gehenna).

"This apparent “inconsistency” is resolved with ALL mature adults GIVEN the ability to have a saving faith."

You state that "the person has to direct their God given faith toward a benevolent God."

First of all in almost every account of people being saved in the Bible, it is their faith in the Messiah that saves them, not God giving them faith.

Luke 7:50 And He said to the woman, Your faith hath saved you..."
I Pet 1:9 ...obtaining the outcome of your faith, your souls' salvation...
I Pet 1:21 ...so your faith and hope are in God
2 Pet 1:5 ...make every effort to add to your faith
Rev 2:19 I have seen your love, your faith, your service, your patient endurance...
Eph 1:15 ...ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus

Some try to use, for example, I Cor 12:9 to say that God gives all a measure of faith. Yet the context shows clearly & the verse itself, that this is talking about believers, not unbelievers & the context is about spiritual gifts given to believers.

So, according to Scripture & the many verses I have already shown (I can show many more if needed), there is no 'apparent inconsistency' & there is nothing to resolve.