For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
James Sanders
If there is predestination by God and only the elect will be saved, Does that nullify free will? It is my understanding that God wants all to be saved and not the ones he "chooses." Can He really choose Henry and not Harold? Where is the free will if that is true?
It is my understanding that anyone can choose to accept or reject our Lord which indicates free will; to me anyway.
James Kraft
The reason that those that say 'Lord, Lord' could not enter in is because they thought they had saved themselves by obedience instead of trusting in what Jesus did on the cross for them. Many believe they can make themselves good enough to go to heaven. They even do good works or so they think. But, good works will not save us. Only faith in what Jesus did on the cross plus nothing else is the only way to heaven.
Jesus said I am the way the truth and the life. When we put our trust in Him for our salvation He gives us His perfect righteousness so that we do not have to depend on our own righteousness for salvation.
By grace you are saved, through faith, not of works lest any man should boast. Jesus said by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
It is only by believing the Jesus work on the cross paid our sin debt in full. No sin, past, present, or future can keep us from the love of god.
If you have put your faith in Jesus alone you are one of the elect.
Norine Williams
You are chosen by Jesus according to Scripture (John 15:16)!
James Kraft
Those who believe are chosen. Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the POWER of God unto salvation to everyone that BELIEVETH, to the Jew first, an also to the Greek. John 12:32. God calls all to believe the gospel and be saved. First Corinthians 15:3-4. Those that believe it are saved. John 6:47. God cannot lie. First John 2:2. John 3:16.
First Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish, foolishness, but unto us who are saved it is the power of God.
For after that, by the wisdom of God, it pleased God to save them that believe.
John 3:18 Believers are no longer condemned to hell, but unbelievers are condemned already because they did not believe on the name of the Son of God.
John 6:40 And this is the will of Him who sent me, that ALL that seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life, and I will raise Him up on the last day.
No one is saved until they trust Jesus as the only way of salvation plus nothing. Romans 4:5-8. Romans 3:26-28. The gift of God is eternal life, not faith. Romans 6:23. Romans 11:6 All grace, no works.
First John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that BELIEVE on the name of the Son of God, that ye may KNOW YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE. We have it now.