If salvation is a predetermined work of God, not subject to any decision any man may naturally make, why was the death of Christ on a cross necessary?
This is not a baiting question, so no flames please. It just seems logical that God could have elected to save any man without the sacrifice of Christ if man's response to that sacrifice is not possible.
Good question - but you've confused me with the Calvinists who are preaching predestination here.
Truth is, God pretdetermined before he formed the world that that all mankind should come to him and abide with Him forever (eternity) but sin put a barrier between God and man that the Mosiac Law worked around as many were saved by faith alone but Christ was the true atonement and His death on the cross was the one and only, final payment of the debt we could not - as sinful mortals - pay.
God gives mankind the choice of accepting the atonement of Christ by accepting Him as the savior or rejecting him, as most unfortunately choose to do. He does not predetermine our salvation, that is a cruel and destructive doctrine that I have opposed here and elsewhere when it rears it's head. It's defenders are quite obsessed with this doctrine and will never stop defending it, to their loss. It's false and worthless. They defend a lie that diminishes Almight God's grace and love for his creation, mankind. They should be ashamed but instead they are arrogant and proud of this false doctrine they espouse. Sad.
Don't take my word for it, take God's Word.
Hebrews 2:9
"But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for EVERY MAN".
There are many more passages in scripture that refute the Calvinists but I'll leave you with this one:
John 12:32
"And I, if I be lifted up from the earth will draw ALL men unto me."
Friend, there is no 'elect'. Christ died for all. Some accept Him, some reject Him but He died for us and awaits us to simply come to Him and accept His love, salvation and eternal life. That is the gift of God, given freely. That many reject it is what makes Him a just God. We have the informed choice. Those who reject His gift (of salvation) will have no one but themselves to balme when Judgement Day finds them without excuse and without hope. They chose it.
The joy of Christ is that our acceptance of Him is voluntary. We are not robots. We are God's children and when we come to Him, as children, He receives us, without reservation. No special 'elect' people, no predestination exists. It's a false doctrine, false teaching and I urge you to reject it totally, as most have. Trust God, not man-made doctrine.