THE ‘DOCTRINE OF PREDESTINATION’ AND GOD AS A ‘RESPECTER OF PERSONS’

My reply to Michael’s Post follows:
In your post you state: “As a general rule the child that is surrounded with the proper Christian influences becomes a devout Christian and lives a life of great service, while the other whose character is formed under the influence of corrupt teaching and example lives in wickedness and dies impenitent. The one is saved and the other is lost. And will anyone deny that the influences favorable to salvation which are brought to bear upon some individuals are far more favorable than those brought to bear upon others? Will it not be admitted by every candid individual that if the persons had changed places, they probably would have changed characters also?”
Michael, what is at stake here is not who we are and what we possess, but can we be saved?

Say to them, ‘As I live,’ says the Lord God, ‘I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back (change your way of thinking), turn back [in repentance] from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’

Ezekiel 33:11 AMP

I would present to you the best example given in scripture that would disprove your implication. I will get to the example, but first I must state that you and I are a product of our decisions. We choose to follow God’s leading through His Spirit or not. Now would you deny that the Holy Spirit is everywhere as an omnipresence? And if He is present everywhere, for what purpose is He present?
Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness,
Romans 4:4-5 NASB
Is this blessing then on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also? For we say, “ Faith was credited to Abraham as righteousness.”
Romans 4:9 NASB
But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. 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 KJV
As you read Romans 1, God holds man as being accountable even if all he knows is just the creation itself. So you Michael are held to a much greater level of accountability as having lived in America; accepted His word and then having done so become a teacher.
Not many [of you] should become teachers [serving in an official teaching capacity], my brothers and sisters, for you know that we [who are teachers] will be judged by a higher standard [because we have assumed greater accountability and more condemnation if we teach incorrectly].
James 3:1 AMP
Pay close attention to yourself [concentrate on your personal development] and to your teaching; persevere in these things [hold to them], for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.
1 Timothy 4:16 AMP
Now for the Scriptures example to us which refutes what you say here. In fact, God’s holding us accountable is not based on a general rule.
Now a day before Saul came, the Lord had informed Samuel [of this], saying, “About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him as leader over My people Israel; and he will save My people from the hand of the Philistines. For I have looked upon [the distress of] My people, because their cry [for help] has come to Me.”
1 Samuel 9:15-16 AMP
Then Samuel took the flask of oil and poured it on Saul’s head, kissed him, and said, “Has the Lord not anointed you as ruler over His inheritance (Israel)? Then the Spirit of the Lord will come upon you mightily, and you will prophesy with them, and you will be changed into another man. When these signs come to you, do for yourself whatever the situation requires, for God is with you. Then it happened when Saul turned his back to leave Samuel, God changed his heart; and all those signs came to pass that day. When Saul had finished prophesying, he went to the high place [of worship]. And when Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, the tribe of Benjamin was chosen by lot. Then he brought the tribe of Benjamin near by their families, and the family of Matri was chosen by lot. And Saul the son of Kish was chosen by lot; but when they looked for him, he could not be found. So they inquired further of the Lord, “Has the man come here yet?” And the Lord answered, “He is there, hiding himself by the provisions and supplies.”
1 Samuel 10:1,6-7,9,13,20-22 AMP
There is no doubt that Saul was a man chosen of God, given a new heart, and anointed as king. God’s Sovereignty was well displayed in this accounting. We all know the story, including the rest of the story — The facts. It was the decision of the people to ask for a king. God gave them what they asked for, but was He pleased with them? Yet, He did not withhold from Saul, and it was Saul’s decisions that eventually brought about his own demise.
Does God predestine men and situations in order to bring about the things He says through the prophets, including the consummation of this age? — absolutely. Is He sovereign? — absolutely. Has He given man freedom to choose? — choose you this day whom you will serve, as for me and my house we will serve the Lord.
Pay close attention to yourself [concentrate on your personal development] and to your teaching; persevere in these things [hold to them], for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.
1 Timothy 4:16 AMP

I encourage you to go and see what Michael says. You should know the argument in full. For you must make up your own mind concerning Predestination vs free will inside of God’s Sovereignty.