Then why not let Judas be a farmer in China rather than condemn him to Hell??
Then why not let Judas be a farmer in China rather than condemn him to Hell??
That is part of the mystery that Romans 9 teaches.
Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, (Romans 9:21-23)
"The Lord hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil." (Proverbs 16:4)
However, this does not mean God made them evil, but that He gave them light to obey, and ability to obey light, (Gn. 4:7) but let them reject it to do what they wanted, while others were given more grace, or of a greater kind.
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, (Romans 1:21-22)
Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; (Proverbs 1:23-26)
Thus Judas and all the lost go to Hell due to their own choices, while the redeemed are so because God drew and convicted them, opened their hearts, and granted them repentant faith, (Jn. 6:44; 12:32; 16:9; Acts 11:18; 16:14; Eph. 2:8,9) both enabling and motivating them. so that in conversion man does what he otherwise could not and would not do.
Which is not unjust, as God owes no one any grace, and as in the parable of the labourers, (Mt. 20:1-16) He is free to give more grace to some than others, while the damned have rejected light and grace given to them.
God could have even brought Sodom to repentance, while with more grace and blessings comes more accountability.
And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. (Matthew 11:23)
..For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. (Luke 12:48)
In such cases of giving more grace to impenitent souls, they would have been better off if they did not see so much grace.
Yet as the story of John Newton examples, great grace can be given to an opposer of God so that he repents and believes on the Lord Jesus unto salvation.
But it is all of grace, and the judgment of God is according to righteousness. (Rm. 2:2)