Why did Christ call us to repent?
Is he talking only to the elect?
If he's only speaking to the elect, by declaring that unless we repent we shall perish isn't he denying that God's grace is irresistible?
‘Ye’ means you all - to the elect and the non-elect. To the non-elect so they can’t say they were not warned.
Only the elect having spiritual ears to hear will listen to His command. Only with a spritaul heart will be pierced with conviction. And only one with faith will respond and obey God's command. The non-elect having only physical ears will dismiss it, their stony hearts will not be convicted, they won't respond in obedience, and they sadly won't repent receive the free gift and be saved. This despite the evidence of God in creation, the evidence of the need for justice upon their on conscious, and the general grace of God toward them (which is more than enough).
And since we don't know which is which among those who do not profess belief, we are commanded to preach the Good News (the Gospel) of Jesus Christ to all mankind (the great commission) regardless. Since we do not know who or when they will be quickened, we preach it repeatedly and pray for life from the dead from among them all.
The only evidence that we are elect is the faith that God has placed within folks like us. It is not an accident, it is not a product of man, and is not a matter of pride. For the Lord has redeemed undeserving folks like is with a price - that of His blood on the cross.
I used to believe my choice saved me and would argue my 'free will' vehemently for years. But I was memorizing more and more of the Scriptures especially the Gospel of John where it says "who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God" and where the Lord Jesus Christ said in John 6 "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39 This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day
Notice, where He says the one that 'comes to' Him, He will not "cast out" (Cast out meaning cast out into Hell). That He looses NONE OF THEM that the Father has given Him.
And since I knew I had repented of all my sins to Him, come to Him and been born again, I knew I was one of these He will NEVER Loose. And since that revelation, I no longer repeatedly question myself 'What will I say at the pearly gates?' or 'what will happen if I deny Him at the last second?'.
Now I praise Him for doing all this for this undeserving soul. In both loving me before I was born, quickening me while I didn't care, bringing folks to preach the word to me, and putting the faith and words in me to repent of my sins and confess the faith He has planted within.
He has done it all, and I no longer depend upon myself as if my faith was my gift to God - something to be proud of. But now as the Gift of God, to be used in His service, to be excersized out of respect to Him. And something to be humbly thankful for.
I hope this helps. Regards, SR4402