And, A Stone that will cause stumbling and a Rock that will give [men] offense; they stumble because they disobey and disbelieve [God's] Word, as those [who reject Him] were destined (appointed) to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God's] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:8-9
So many times we marvel at those who do not believe the glorious message that our Father empowers and leads us to share. Don’t marvel, these people were destined to do so. The powerful Truth about this is that even in their disobedience they are still serving the will of our Father. This is such a great Truth, our Father controls everything, even those who disobey and don’t believe, Colossians 1:16.
Most of these people are not committing the only unforgivable sin, blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, Matthew 12:31, so they will be forgiven. Just as Peter was forgiven for denying Jesus 3 times. These people are being used to strengthen us to love and serve. Their disobedience causes our Father to be stronger in us, 2 Corinthians 12:10. These people will be forgiven when they are raised from the dead and they will be allowed to be our guests for all of eternity. This Truth removes all fear and dread from us that they will be thrown into the Lake of Fire. It gives us peace that passes all understanding, our Father will not destroy them or cause them to suffer in Hell eternally. They are being used every bit as much as us by God, even though they don’t believe that they are.
These disobedient vessels are used so that we are able to show and display the virtues and perfection of Christ. Their attacks on us allow our Father to show His glory through us. Rejoice, because all things work out for our good, Romans 8:28. And our good is that these people aren’t thrown into Hell. They are allowed to be guests and they will enjoy the perfection that comes when everything becomes new. They cannot help but be used in the way that our Father has destined them to be used. Every house needs vessels of honor and dishonor to function perfectly, 2 Timothy 2:20.
2 comments:
HAS GOD'S GRACE BEEN OFFERED TO ALL MEN?
According to Calvinists, God has only offered grace to a select few who were individually predetermined for salvation before man was created. Is this what the Scriptures proclaim? No, they do not.
2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God..(NKJV)
The words of John Calvin are not Scripture.
The words of the apostle Paul are Scripture.(SEE: 2 Peter 3:15-16)
The apostle Paul wrote the letter to Titus. Titus is Scripture. John Calvin did not pen one single verse of Scripture. Calvin's words were not Scripture. If John Calvin's writings were inspired by God, then they should be included in the Bible.
THE BIBLE PROCLAIMS THAT GRACE IS OFFERED TO ALL MANKIND UNDER THE NEW COVENANT TERMS FOR PARDON.
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. (NKJV)
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. (New International Version)
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people. (English Standard Version)
Titus 2:11 For the all saving grace of God has been revealed to all men; (Aramaic Bible in Plain English)
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that brings salvation hath appeared to all men, (King James Bible)
The free gift of salvation has been offered to all men who will accept God's terms for pardon.
THE TERMS FOR PARDON.
1. Faith: John 3:16
2. Confession: Romans 10:9
3. Repentance: Acts 3:19
4. Water Baptism: Acts 2:38
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Thanks for the comment Steve. It is always awesome to hear from others. I'm not sure what you getting at with Calvinists, I really have no idea what he, or those who followed his teaching believe. Our Father has always made Christnotes about His Word, not religions or denominations.
The Holy Spirt has always used me to share the Truth that grace is for all people, Romans 5, the whole chapter. The point of this particular posting was to show that without our Father causing us to understand His Truth we cannot and therefore there is no condemnation to those who do not yet understand.
I want to address the end of your comment specifically here. The free gift of salvation does not sound free when you list the terms of pardon as you did. Salvation no longer free if we have to do these things. To list demands as you did, Salvation then becomes earned and not freely gifted.
The Truth is that salvation is free and while we were still weak and unable to help ourselves Jesus came to our aide, Romans 5:6. So the Truth that passes all understanding for us is that faith is authored and finished for us by Jesus, Hebrews 12:2. Faith is Jesus' ability to believe working through us, not our ability to believe on our own. We confess Jesus because our Father gives us a new heart and the Holy Spirit cries out from it to our Father, Romans 8:15. Repentance is our Father using Jesus to cause us to change, not us changing on our own, John 15:5. And water baptism is not what leads to salvation, it is the baptism of the Holy Spirit, Matthew 3:11.
So for salvation to be truly free all of the glory and power must be from our Father Who is causing us to do whatever is needed while we are in the flesh. If we say something is free then say what we have to do to earn it, it no longer is free. I do not deny for a minute that what you listed exists, I just believe that our Father does all of His works through us to bring them to pass, John 14:10, so it is still free, not earned.
Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Brad
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