The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. (2 Pet. 3:9) God’s core nature is love, and He desires that none should perish but that all should come to repentance and find eternal life. Many would try to abdicate their personal responsibility in choosing this path of life by claiming it is available only to those who have been predestined for it. Yet God does not arbitrarily choose some for eternal life and others for damnation. Instead, He has predestined a place where salvation can be found—His Church—and He desires that all would freely choose it.