How do you reconcile God's election with man's free choice to come to Him?
Scripture holds both truths together: the invitation is “whosoever will may come,” yet those who enter are chosen from before the foundation of the world. Rather than explain the tension away, accept what God says. Every person has opportunity for choice, but no one can choose unless God calls and elects them.
Les explains the apparent contradiction with the illustration of the human race moving down the river of time. There is the constant invitation to enter the door that says, “whosoever will may come.” Yet on the other side of that door is “chosen from before the foundations of the world.” He cites a tremendous Bible scholar from the early part of the century who said these things may sound contradictory, but if this is what God says, you believe it; you do not try to argue with it or reconcile it. Leave it with God to settle what we think is the great controversy. Les then warns not to lose sight of either truth. If you get too taken by either one alone, you are out in left field. He reconciles both together: as the human race moves through time, every individual has the opportunity of choice, but they cannot choose unless God calls them and elects them.