The crux and final rendering of all matters pertaining to God's sovereignty. Not unlike Abiding's contention and others I'm certain as well, I too find myself not necessarily in agreement with the following excerpt from the OP : "God glorifies his mercy by saving only some men, because the glory of his justice is more important than the salvation of all men." ... but, the fact remains that not all will be saved ... and God foreknew those who are His own. In it's simplest terms, any and/or all of our objections remain inconsequential. God's fairness is not in question. Man's understanding of it is ... and can only be reconciled through complete and childlike trust in His infinite wisdom, goodness and love.
John 6:64-66
[SUP] 64 [/SUP]But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. [SUP]65 [/SUP]And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.”[SUP]66 [/SUP]From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.
BUT ... we say with Peter ... Lord, to whom shall we go ? You have the words to eternal life.
John 6:64-66
[SUP] 64 [/SUP]But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. [SUP]65 [/SUP]And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.”[SUP]66 [/SUP]From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.
BUT ... we say with Peter ... Lord, to whom shall we go ? You have the words to eternal life.
God does not save all men because his justice does not allow it.
If he were to override his justice, he would diminish his glory by being inconsistent with himself.
Same thing, but less objectionably stated.
It's still about his glory.
It's still about not saving all because of his glory, right?