Every Religious Person limits the atonement, those who believe in ''Free Will'' limit its quality, while those who believe in ''Free Grace'' limit its extent.
Now, according to God's Word, I rather be accused of limiting the extent, not the quality of
Redemption.
Someone has said, ''The things which we have to choose between, are an atonement of high value, or an atonement of wide extension-The two cannot go together'' [unquote].
Now, I must remind you, that the value of Christ's Atonement was INFINITE.
Just as it is necessary, for the sun, to give off as much heat, for only one plant, to grow upon the earth,
as for the whole world to be covered with vegetation,
so, it was necessary for Christ Jesus, to suffer as much for the salvation of one soul, as He would, if all Mankind were to be saved.
You see, if you make Redemption universal, You will destroy its inherent value.
If It is applied to all men alike, and some are lost,the conclusion is, that it makes salvation objectively possible for all, but does not subjectively save anyone.
If the atonement's benefits are universal and unlimited, then, the benefit of the sacrifice, was to blot out the curse,but not, to perfectly satisfy the demands of Divine Justice.
Now, before leaving John 3;16-I want to ask you 4 questions, and then seek, to give The
Biblical Answers.
I will relate The Answers, The Bible teaches, to each question, after stating what those, who believe in Free Will, have to say.
Number 1-What is that love, which was the cause of The Father, sending The Son, into The
World/
Those who believe in Free Will say, ''It was a natural propensity, to The Good of All Mankind.''
Those of us, who believe in Free Grace say, ''Love is not an inclination of God's Nature, but an act of His Divine Will.''
There was no imperfection in God's Love.
A natural affection for all, and not completed and perfected in all, is weak and imperfect.
This could never be attributed to The All-Sufficient God.
Number 2-Who are the objects of God's Love/
Those who believe in Free Will say, ''Christ is offered unto all men without exception.''
Those of us, who believe in Free Grace say, ''God's Love intended the salvation of some''.
If the word ''World'' means every person without exception, then His Love was defeated, because it was not made effectual in All.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
LOVE IS THE CAUSE OF CONVERSION-Part 4
John 3;16-[Turn].
God attaches to Himself, in every generation, those who become His, by Regeneration.
They are no longer a part of The World, that lies in The Evil One.
But, The World, that is regenerated, that abides in Him.
When Salvation's process is completed, then, the task, which Christ took upon Himself, shall also be completed;
and The World, shall be saved.
The Wicked World of Sinful Men will be transformed into One of Righteousness.
The Statement, ''The World shall be saved through CHRIST,'' is a conception, independent of the idea, that every individual shall be saved, through Him. . . .
John set forth a Propitiation, not for every individual person, but one, in intention and design, effecting a renewal, so vast, as to issue in an ordered world, ''The New Heavens and The New Earth''.
You see, John 3;16 is a vision, of The Consummated Purpose of God's immeasurable Love.
It is a vision of The Saved World.
Now, Those Who emphasize ''Free Will'' will object to what, I have given you, on John 3;16.
Their Cry is,''such teaching limits The Atonement''.
But, every Religionist limits The Atonement-Those, who believe in ''Free Will'' limit its ''QUALITY,''
And those, who believe in ''Free Grace'' limit its ''EXTENT''.
Now, according to God's Word, I'd rather be accused of limiting the extent, not the quality of Redemption.
God attaches to Himself, in every generation, those who become His, by Regeneration.
They are no longer a part of The World, that lies in The Evil One.
But, The World, that is regenerated, that abides in Him.
When Salvation's process is completed, then, the task, which Christ took upon Himself, shall also be completed;
and The World, shall be saved.
The Wicked World of Sinful Men will be transformed into One of Righteousness.
The Statement, ''The World shall be saved through CHRIST,'' is a conception, independent of the idea, that every individual shall be saved, through Him. . . .
John set forth a Propitiation, not for every individual person, but one, in intention and design, effecting a renewal, so vast, as to issue in an ordered world, ''The New Heavens and The New Earth''.
You see, John 3;16 is a vision, of The Consummated Purpose of God's immeasurable Love.
It is a vision of The Saved World.
Now, Those Who emphasize ''Free Will'' will object to what, I have given you, on John 3;16.
Their Cry is,''such teaching limits The Atonement''.
But, every Religionist limits The Atonement-Those, who believe in ''Free Will'' limit its ''QUALITY,''
And those, who believe in ''Free Grace'' limit its ''EXTENT''.
Now, according to God's Word, I'd rather be accused of limiting the extent, not the quality of Redemption.
Monday, June 23, 2008
GOD'S LOVE IS THE CAUSE OF CONVERSION-Part 3
The 3 members of The Godhead, mutually love each other-
John 3;35-''The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.''
John 17;24-''Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me; for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.''
I Corinthians 2;10-12-[Turn].
John 16;14-'' He shall glorify me; for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you''.
God is the fountain, from which, love proceeds.
Next, in the attributes, belonging to God, as A Holy and Intelligent Spirit, we may consider, what may be called ''The Affections''.
God does somethings similar to the affections in man.
They are ascribed to Him as love, hatred, anger, etc.
From These, everything carnal, sensual, or with any degree of imperfection in it, must be removed.
Love stands first, in the affections, because God is love-but, love is not God's chief attribute.
Both holiness and life precede love, in The Divine Order.
God is so holy, that He cannot look upon sin-
Habbakkuk 1;13-''Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity; wherefore lookest thou upon them that that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he/''
Justice protects His Holiness.
God's Justice must be satisfied, for holiness to manifest love, to the sinner.
Next, we find that, God's Love has a specific object--The World.
Now the statement, ''Love is of God'' does not mean, that it comes from God, in the same way, that light comes from God.
It is not asserted of love as it is of light; ''And God said, Let there be light; and there was light''
[Genesis 1;3].
He does not say, ''Let there be love, and there was love''.
God's Love does not shine upon all people without exception, as The Light of Nature does.
Now, this love of God is a saving love, not a love, which merely tends toward Salvation.
Next, we see, that the words, ''God gave'' expresses the absolute freeness of the gift.
''Giving'' and ''Receiving'' are relative terms, one presupposing the other.
God never gives something, that is not received.
The Gift, However, is not to every individual;
for, to whomever He gives His Son, He gives all things freely with Him-Romans 8;32-[Turn].
Since love is God's Gift, whoever God loves, receives His Gift.
The World, Christ came to save, is not completed.
This is why, God is long suffering-2 Peter 3;9- [Turn]...[Comment]
Now, there is no marvel so great, no mystery so unfathomable, as this-that The Great and
Good God,
Whose Perfect Righteousness, flames in indignation, at the sight of every iniquity,
and Whose Absolute Holiness recoils in the presence of every impurity,
loves the sinful world, and has so loved it, that He gave His Son, to die for it.
John is teaching ''The Universalism of Christianity'' in contrast with ''The Nationalism'' of The
Old Testament.
In this universalistic and Anti-Jewish Gospel of John, what is more natural, than to find ''the world'' brought into contrast, with Jewish Exclusivism/
Christ DID NOT COME, to make Propitiation for The Jews only.
God's Elect are not The Residual of The Great Conflagrational.
They aren't the ashes of the burned up world, gathered sadly together, by The Creator, after the
catastrophe is over, so that He might make, a new and better beginning with them, to replace that which has been lost.
The Elect Themselves, are not The World, as it is, in its sin, lying in The Evil One;
but, The World, with its promise of renewed life.
John 3;35-''The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.''
John 17;24-''Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me; for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.''
I Corinthians 2;10-12-[Turn].
John 16;14-'' He shall glorify me; for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you''.
God is the fountain, from which, love proceeds.
Next, in the attributes, belonging to God, as A Holy and Intelligent Spirit, we may consider, what may be called ''The Affections''.
God does somethings similar to the affections in man.
They are ascribed to Him as love, hatred, anger, etc.
From These, everything carnal, sensual, or with any degree of imperfection in it, must be removed.
Love stands first, in the affections, because God is love-but, love is not God's chief attribute.
Both holiness and life precede love, in The Divine Order.
God is so holy, that He cannot look upon sin-
Habbakkuk 1;13-''Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity; wherefore lookest thou upon them that that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he/''
Justice protects His Holiness.
God's Justice must be satisfied, for holiness to manifest love, to the sinner.
Next, we find that, God's Love has a specific object--The World.
Now the statement, ''Love is of God'' does not mean, that it comes from God, in the same way, that light comes from God.
It is not asserted of love as it is of light; ''And God said, Let there be light; and there was light''
[Genesis 1;3].
He does not say, ''Let there be love, and there was love''.
God's Love does not shine upon all people without exception, as The Light of Nature does.
Now, this love of God is a saving love, not a love, which merely tends toward Salvation.
Next, we see, that the words, ''God gave'' expresses the absolute freeness of the gift.
''Giving'' and ''Receiving'' are relative terms, one presupposing the other.
God never gives something, that is not received.
The Gift, However, is not to every individual;
for, to whomever He gives His Son, He gives all things freely with Him-Romans 8;32-[Turn].
Since love is God's Gift, whoever God loves, receives His Gift.
The World, Christ came to save, is not completed.
This is why, God is long suffering-2 Peter 3;9- [Turn]...[Comment]
Now, there is no marvel so great, no mystery so unfathomable, as this-that The Great and
Good God,
Whose Perfect Righteousness, flames in indignation, at the sight of every iniquity,
and Whose Absolute Holiness recoils in the presence of every impurity,
loves the sinful world, and has so loved it, that He gave His Son, to die for it.
John is teaching ''The Universalism of Christianity'' in contrast with ''The Nationalism'' of The
Old Testament.
In this universalistic and Anti-Jewish Gospel of John, what is more natural, than to find ''the world'' brought into contrast, with Jewish Exclusivism/
Christ DID NOT COME, to make Propitiation for The Jews only.
God's Elect are not The Residual of The Great Conflagrational.
They aren't the ashes of the burned up world, gathered sadly together, by The Creator, after the
catastrophe is over, so that He might make, a new and better beginning with them, to replace that which has been lost.
The Elect Themselves, are not The World, as it is, in its sin, lying in The Evil One;
but, The World, with its promise of renewed life.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
GOD'S LOVE IS THE CAUSE OF CONVERSION-Part 2
As we said, in our last post, John 3;16 begins in Eternity with God, and ends in Eternity with Man.
God's Love, in Time, comes to ransom, a host of believing souls.
Now, if The Eternity of God is understood, one will easily interpret John 3;16.
The duration of Divine Existence is from Eternity, according to our finite way of understanding
Eternity.
Divine duration must be considered as wholly permanent, and the ever-present ''Now'', not capable of division, into parts, any more than The Divine Existence Itself.
Thus, things future to us, are present with God.
The Eternal God co-exists with faith, but faith does not co-exist with God.
Jeremiah 31;3-''The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love; therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee.''
God's Love is Uninfluenced-
Romans 5;6-8-''For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.''
Human love is reciprocal. We love because we are loved.
But God's Love is not, a response to something, outside of Himself.
God loves, because that is His Nature.
You see, Love is God's Character, but not His characteristic-
I John 3;16-''Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.''
Next, We find that, God's Love is Infinite-can we know The Unknowable/
Ephesians 3;19-''And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.''
One, born of God, readily admits that he has done nothing, to commend himself to God.
We can know by grace, what we can't know by Nature.
We can know by faith, what we can't by Reason. . .
We can know the effects, without comprehending the cause.
We can know The Reality of God's Existence, without understanding Its Nature.
We may know increasingly, what can't be known, perfectly-
Proverbs 4;18-''But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.''
The Wisdom of God's people increases.
Our ideas of love may be more clear and consistent in the future, than they are today.
Our hearts need to be firmly established.
Now, a principle slumbering in the head, is quite different, from being alive in the heart-
Ephesians 3;19-[Turn].
Man, in his natural condition, is empty of God.
Man, in his glorified state, will be full of God-He is All in All.
However, in the state of grace, man has a degree of both his original emptiness, and his final fitness.
Man is not what he was, neither is he, what he will be.
He's thankful, for what he has, but he wants more of The Presence and Fullness of Jesus Christ.
Love, therefore, constrains to a life of holiness and service.
Next, God's Love Is IMMUTABLE-
James 1;17-''Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the
Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.''
God doesn't love all men, in the provision of salvation, and hate those, Who reject it.
God's Love Is ETERNAL... Since it has no beginning, it can have no ending.
Next, God's Love is HOLY;
It is not regulated by passion, or sentiment, but by principle.
God's Love never conflicts with His holiness, and will never wink at sin.
The Cross is the highest manifestation of God's Love.
The Source of God's Love is God Himself.
Now Get this principle; Self-Love is in all intelligent beings, and it is not condemned, when it is carried on, in its proper channel.
You see, People are not obligated to love others MORE than themselves, but AS THEMSELVES-
Matthew 22;37-40-''Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.''
God, first, and chiefly, loves Himself. Thus, He has made His Glory, The Chief End of all His Works in Nature, Providence, and in Grace--
Proverbs 16;4-''The LORD hath made all things for himself; yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.''
Romans 11;36-''For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things; to whom be glory for ever. Amen.''
Revelation 4;11-''Thou art woorthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power; for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.''
Ephesians 1;6-''To the praise of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
God's Love, in Time, comes to ransom, a host of believing souls.
Now, if The Eternity of God is understood, one will easily interpret John 3;16.
The duration of Divine Existence is from Eternity, according to our finite way of understanding
Eternity.
Divine duration must be considered as wholly permanent, and the ever-present ''Now'', not capable of division, into parts, any more than The Divine Existence Itself.
Thus, things future to us, are present with God.
The Eternal God co-exists with faith, but faith does not co-exist with God.
Jeremiah 31;3-''The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love; therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee.''
God's Love is Uninfluenced-
Romans 5;6-8-''For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.''
Human love is reciprocal. We love because we are loved.
But God's Love is not, a response to something, outside of Himself.
God loves, because that is His Nature.
You see, Love is God's Character, but not His characteristic-
I John 3;16-''Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.''
Next, We find that, God's Love is Infinite-can we know The Unknowable/
Ephesians 3;19-''And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.''
One, born of God, readily admits that he has done nothing, to commend himself to God.
We can know by grace, what we can't know by Nature.
We can know by faith, what we can't by Reason. . .
We can know the effects, without comprehending the cause.
We can know The Reality of God's Existence, without understanding Its Nature.
We may know increasingly, what can't be known, perfectly-
Proverbs 4;18-''But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.''
The Wisdom of God's people increases.
Our ideas of love may be more clear and consistent in the future, than they are today.
Our hearts need to be firmly established.
Now, a principle slumbering in the head, is quite different, from being alive in the heart-
Ephesians 3;19-[Turn].
Man, in his natural condition, is empty of God.
Man, in his glorified state, will be full of God-He is All in All.
However, in the state of grace, man has a degree of both his original emptiness, and his final fitness.
Man is not what he was, neither is he, what he will be.
He's thankful, for what he has, but he wants more of The Presence and Fullness of Jesus Christ.
Love, therefore, constrains to a life of holiness and service.
Next, God's Love Is IMMUTABLE-
James 1;17-''Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the
Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.''
God doesn't love all men, in the provision of salvation, and hate those, Who reject it.
God's Love Is ETERNAL... Since it has no beginning, it can have no ending.
Next, God's Love is HOLY;
It is not regulated by passion, or sentiment, but by principle.
God's Love never conflicts with His holiness, and will never wink at sin.
The Cross is the highest manifestation of God's Love.
The Source of God's Love is God Himself.
Now Get this principle; Self-Love is in all intelligent beings, and it is not condemned, when it is carried on, in its proper channel.
You see, People are not obligated to love others MORE than themselves, but AS THEMSELVES-
Matthew 22;37-40-''Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.''
God, first, and chiefly, loves Himself. Thus, He has made His Glory, The Chief End of all His Works in Nature, Providence, and in Grace--
Proverbs 16;4-''The LORD hath made all things for himself; yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.''
Romans 11;36-''For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things; to whom be glory for ever. Amen.''
Revelation 4;11-''Thou art woorthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power; for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.''
Ephesians 1;6-''To the praise of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
GOD'S LOVE IS THE CAUSE OF CONVERSION-Part 1
John 3;16 is the most quoted, yet, misunderstood verse, in the whole Bible.
The Love of God, we hear so much about, is according to, a definite plan;
It is not love in general.
It is love in a particular personal sense. Thus, It is not indiscriminate.
God's love and attention are explained and limited, in John 3;16.
Now, Get this truth; The Person, who emphasizes ''Free Will'' charges God, with two contrary Ends and Designs, at the same time;
Number 1-He accuses God of condemning many, Whom He sent Christ, not to condemn, but, to save.
Number 2-He charges God with loving many, upon whom, His Wrath will always abide.
Now, Notice that, in John 3;14-16, there is nothing stated, to indicate that God loves every man,
or, that The Son came to redeem every man.
John 5;51 says, Christ gave His Flesh, for the life of the World. But The Bible, no where says, He gave His flesh, for every man.
Christ is The Propitiation for the sins of the whole world, but not, for every man-
I John 2;2-''And he is the propitiation for our sins; and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world.''
Romans 3;25-[Turn].
According to this verse, Jesus Christ is not a propitiation for those, who have no faith.
Those who emphasize ''free will'' can only plead one word in John 3;16-''World''--But, the word.
''WORLD'' has many uses in the Bible.
Colossians 1;5-6-''For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of truth of the gospel; 6 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world, and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and know the grace of God in truth;''
Now, the question is, Does The Gospel bring forth fruit in unbelievers/
Luke 2;1
-''And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Ceasar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.''
Revelation 13;3-''And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed; and all the world wondered after the beast.''
Revelation 12;9-''And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world; he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.''
I John 5;19-[Turn].
Thus, the world ''world'' [kosmos] in the KJV 1611, is used of;
1. THE UNIVERSE-
Acts 17;24-''God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands.''
2. THE EARTH-
John 13;1-''Now before the feast of passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.''
3. HUMANITY MINUS BELIEVERS-
JOHN 15;8-[TURN].
Romans 3;6-''God forbid; for then how shall God judge the world/''
2 Peter 2;5-''And spared not the old world, but saved Noah, the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly.''
4. GENTILES IN CONTRAST TO JEWS-
Romans 11;12-[Turn].
5. BELIEVERS ONLY-
John 6;33-''For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.''
John 12;47-''And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not; For I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.''
2 Corinthians 5;19-''To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.''
The ''world'' in Luke 2;1 refers to The Roman World.
''The Whole World'' in Romans 1;8 refers to The Saints.
In Revelation 13;1-''. . .the wotld wondereth after the beast''-BUT SOME, DIDN'T RECEIVE HIS MARK;SO THEY DIDN'T WONDER AFTER HIM--
THE ELECT CANNOT BE DECEIVED-
Revelation 12;9-[Turn].
thus, the statement that, 'The whole world lieth in wickedness [I John 5;19], DOESN'T REFER TO THE SAVED, BECAUSE THEY DO NOT BELONG TO THE WORLD-THEY'RE IN IT, BUT NOT OF IT-
John 17;14-''I have given them thy word; and the world hath hateth them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.''
Now, the word, ''WHOSOEVER'' in John 3;16, refers to the world-wide application of God's Purpose.
Thus, Salvation is not confined to one particular nation, or rank.
The word ''WHOSOEVER'' refers to both Gentiles and Jews.
Now I believe in whosoever will-but the question is;
''Who can will/''
You see, The Will, that is to determine, is the same will, that must be determined, by Grace.
The disease is in the will.
How can a diseased will provide the cure, for a depraved soul/
The Great Truth announced Here, to The Religious Jew is;
that The Gentile, is included in God's love, and that, The Jews are not the exclusive object of His Affections.
The World in John 3;16-17 is that of ''ELECT JEWS AND ELECT GENTILES''-for Whose Salvation Christ came, into The World.
Now, LISTEN-If Jesus Christ procured through His Death, a possibility of salvation, He only removed the insuperable obstruction, that man might become his own Saviour.
And that would exalt Man's Goodness and Power, but not, The Merit and Grace of God.
Did Christ only make Salvation possible, by His Death, and man may make his damnation certain, by his unbelief/
If The Lord failed in His Purpose, then, why was He exalted, to give Repentance and Remission of Sins/
Acts 5;31-''Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.''
What sense can there be in interpreting the word, ''world,'' to mean every individual, when God purposes that only believers shall benefit from His love/
This verse begins in Eternity with God, and ends in Eternity with man.
The Love of God, we hear so much about, is according to, a definite plan;
It is not love in general.
It is love in a particular personal sense. Thus, It is not indiscriminate.
God's love and attention are explained and limited, in John 3;16.
Now, Get this truth; The Person, who emphasizes ''Free Will'' charges God, with two contrary Ends and Designs, at the same time;
Number 1-He accuses God of condemning many, Whom He sent Christ, not to condemn, but, to save.
Number 2-He charges God with loving many, upon whom, His Wrath will always abide.
Now, Notice that, in John 3;14-16, there is nothing stated, to indicate that God loves every man,
or, that The Son came to redeem every man.
John 5;51 says, Christ gave His Flesh, for the life of the World. But The Bible, no where says, He gave His flesh, for every man.
Christ is The Propitiation for the sins of the whole world, but not, for every man-
I John 2;2-''And he is the propitiation for our sins; and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world.''
Romans 3;25-[Turn].
According to this verse, Jesus Christ is not a propitiation for those, who have no faith.
Those who emphasize ''free will'' can only plead one word in John 3;16-''World''--But, the word.
''WORLD'' has many uses in the Bible.
Colossians 1;5-6-''For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of truth of the gospel; 6 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world, and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and know the grace of God in truth;''
Now, the question is, Does The Gospel bring forth fruit in unbelievers/
Luke 2;1
-''And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Ceasar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.''
Revelation 13;3-''And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed; and all the world wondered after the beast.''
Revelation 12;9-''And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world; he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.''
I John 5;19-[Turn].
Thus, the world ''world'' [kosmos] in the KJV 1611, is used of;
1. THE UNIVERSE-
Acts 17;24-''God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands.''
2. THE EARTH-
John 13;1-''Now before the feast of passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.''
3. HUMANITY MINUS BELIEVERS-
JOHN 15;8-[TURN].
Romans 3;6-''God forbid; for then how shall God judge the world/''
2 Peter 2;5-''And spared not the old world, but saved Noah, the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly.''
4. GENTILES IN CONTRAST TO JEWS-
Romans 11;12-[Turn].
5. BELIEVERS ONLY-
John 6;33-''For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.''
John 12;47-''And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not; For I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.''
2 Corinthians 5;19-''To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.''
The ''world'' in Luke 2;1 refers to The Roman World.
''The Whole World'' in Romans 1;8 refers to The Saints.
In Revelation 13;1-''. . .the wotld wondereth after the beast''-BUT SOME, DIDN'T RECEIVE HIS MARK;SO THEY DIDN'T WONDER AFTER HIM--
THE ELECT CANNOT BE DECEIVED-
Revelation 12;9-[Turn].
thus, the statement that, 'The whole world lieth in wickedness [I John 5;19], DOESN'T REFER TO THE SAVED, BECAUSE THEY DO NOT BELONG TO THE WORLD-THEY'RE IN IT, BUT NOT OF IT-
John 17;14-''I have given them thy word; and the world hath hateth them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.''
Now, the word, ''WHOSOEVER'' in John 3;16, refers to the world-wide application of God's Purpose.
Thus, Salvation is not confined to one particular nation, or rank.
The word ''WHOSOEVER'' refers to both Gentiles and Jews.
Now I believe in whosoever will-but the question is;
''Who can will/''
You see, The Will, that is to determine, is the same will, that must be determined, by Grace.
The disease is in the will.
How can a diseased will provide the cure, for a depraved soul/
The Great Truth announced Here, to The Religious Jew is;
that The Gentile, is included in God's love, and that, The Jews are not the exclusive object of His Affections.
The World in John 3;16-17 is that of ''ELECT JEWS AND ELECT GENTILES''-for Whose Salvation Christ came, into The World.
Now, LISTEN-If Jesus Christ procured through His Death, a possibility of salvation, He only removed the insuperable obstruction, that man might become his own Saviour.
And that would exalt Man's Goodness and Power, but not, The Merit and Grace of God.
Did Christ only make Salvation possible, by His Death, and man may make his damnation certain, by his unbelief/
If The Lord failed in His Purpose, then, why was He exalted, to give Repentance and Remission of Sins/
Acts 5;31-''Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.''
What sense can there be in interpreting the word, ''world,'' to mean every individual, when God purposes that only believers shall benefit from His love/
This verse begins in Eternity with God, and ends in Eternity with man.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
MEANS ARE USED IN CONVERSION-Part 2
Last time we closed by saying, in order for man's attention to be fixed upon The Gospel, there has to be a work of grace, in his heart, and this is the work of Regeneration.
As the brightness of the noon day Sun, has no effect on the eyes of the blind man, as a candle does,so it is, with The Truth of The Gospel, on A UN-REGENERATED HEART.
No matter What the inherent power of The Gospel is, it will have no spiritual effect, until the mind, to which, it is presented, is in a fit state, to receive it-I Corinthians 2;14-[Turn].
John 8;43-47-''Why do ye not understand my speech/ even because ye cannot hear my word. 44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own; for he is a liar, and the father of it. 45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. 46 Which of you convinceth me of sin/ And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me/47 He that is of God heareth God's words, ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.''
Is not, The Bible, Quick and Powerful/ Yes, but The Bible also says, Christ gave His Apostles, power to work miracles, but the power was not, in the apostles-
Acts 3;12-''And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this/ or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk/''
Acts 10;25-26-''And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, band fell down at his feet,
and worshipped him. 26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.''
Now, get this truth; Without the objective truth Re Christ's Work, every regenerated soul would remain in darkness, as an unborn infant, in relation to The Outside World.
The Bible distinguishes between the influence of The Holy Spirit from that of The Word of The Gospel.
The Bible declares that such an influence is necessary, to properly receive the truth-
John 6;64-65-''Then Jesus said unto them that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. 65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
Acts 16;14-[Quote].
I Corinthians 2;12-15-[Turn].
Ephesians 1;17-20-[Turn].
Going back to Acts 16, we see that, Lydia's heart, was opened by the Lord.
There is no more disposition in unregenerate man, to receive The Gospel, than there is in
Darkness, to receive light, or, in the dead, to receive life, or, in the deaf, to hear.
The unregenerate man is responsible, to embrace The Gospel, but he has no active power, to receive it, nor does he have a disposition toward it, until a work of grace is done in his heart.
The Word of The Gospel is to effect conversion, and practical sanctification-NOT REGENERATION.
In Matthew 13;1-9, only the prepared soil [type of Regeneration, Quickening, Awakening],
understands and brings forth fruit.
END
As the brightness of the noon day Sun, has no effect on the eyes of the blind man, as a candle does,so it is, with The Truth of The Gospel, on A UN-REGENERATED HEART.
No matter What the inherent power of The Gospel is, it will have no spiritual effect, until the mind, to which, it is presented, is in a fit state, to receive it-I Corinthians 2;14-[Turn].
John 8;43-47-''Why do ye not understand my speech/ even because ye cannot hear my word. 44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own; for he is a liar, and the father of it. 45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. 46 Which of you convinceth me of sin/ And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me/47 He that is of God heareth God's words, ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.''
Is not, The Bible, Quick and Powerful/ Yes, but The Bible also says, Christ gave His Apostles, power to work miracles, but the power was not, in the apostles-
Acts 3;12-''And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this/ or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk/''
Acts 10;25-26-''And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, band fell down at his feet,
and worshipped him. 26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.''
Now, get this truth; Without the objective truth Re Christ's Work, every regenerated soul would remain in darkness, as an unborn infant, in relation to The Outside World.
The Bible distinguishes between the influence of The Holy Spirit from that of The Word of The Gospel.
The Bible declares that such an influence is necessary, to properly receive the truth-
John 6;64-65-''Then Jesus said unto them that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. 65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
Acts 16;14-[Quote].
I Corinthians 2;12-15-[Turn].
Ephesians 1;17-20-[Turn].
Going back to Acts 16, we see that, Lydia's heart, was opened by the Lord.
There is no more disposition in unregenerate man, to receive The Gospel, than there is in
Darkness, to receive light, or, in the dead, to receive life, or, in the deaf, to hear.
The unregenerate man is responsible, to embrace The Gospel, but he has no active power, to receive it, nor does he have a disposition toward it, until a work of grace is done in his heart.
The Word of The Gospel is to effect conversion, and practical sanctification-NOT REGENERATION.
In Matthew 13;1-9, only the prepared soil [type of Regeneration, Quickening, Awakening],
understands and brings forth fruit.
END
Thursday, June 5, 2008
MEANS ARE USED IN CONVERSION-Part 1
MEANS ARE USED IN CONVERSION
JOHN 3;14-21
Preachers are used as instruments in converting people, but not, in regenerating them.
In 3 New Testament passages, where we read of converting of someone to God, the subject of the verb is not God, but a preacher-
Luke 1;16-''And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.''
Acts 26;17-18-''Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee. 18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.''
James 5;19-20-''Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; 20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way, shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.''
The Conversion of men, is to be the objective of ministers and churches, but we can't be the instruments of conversion in people, where there has been no work of God in Regeneration.
Therefore, our 1st plea is for the power of God in Regeneration, and then, for men to repent and to believe-
To be Reconciled To God-
2 Corinthians 5;19-20-''To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us; we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.''
To Receive Reconciliation-
Romans 5;10-11-''For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.''
Now, I want, to emphasize the fact, that external preaching of The Word alone, doesn't effect
Conversion, that is of God.
The Conviction, that is of God, is the fruit of Regeneration-
John 16;8-11-''
And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment; 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 0f righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment, ause the prince of this world is judged.''
Now, pretended believers may have their natural faculties illuminated to the extent, that, The
Seed of The Word brings some visible growth, but they are rocky and thorny-grounded hearers [Matthew 13].
Any conviction that comes from the mere preaching of truth, is no more than a moral suasion.
Apart from the work of God the Holy Spirit, in the heart, there will be no lasting effect of external preaching.
The Internal Spirit of Life is required, to apply the external Word.
The Regenerated Person realizes, by The Indwelling Spirit, that this Word comes directly to him,
from God.
It affects and condemns his very being;
thus it causes him to penetrate into, the hidden essence of the Word, and feel the sharp sting which affects Divine Conviction.
Divine Conviction is related to, and is inseparable from Regeneration.
It is produced by The Gospel.
Now, It is not a question of whether God works Regeneration by a creative word, or, a command.
For, He does.
Genesis 1;3-''And God said, Let there be light, and there was light.''
Galatians 1;3-[Turn].
Ezekiel 16;6-''And when I passed by thee, and saw the polluted in thine own blood, I said unto thee, when thou wast in thy blood, Live; yea, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live.''
Regeneration takes place, immediately, in the subconsciousness, while the truth of the gospel, addresses itself to, man's consciousness.
You see, The Truth of The Gospel can exercise its persuasive influence, only when man's attention is fixed upon it.
And in order, for man's attention, to be fixed upon The Gospel, there has to be first, a work of grace, in his heart.
And This is The Work of Regeneration. [ we will continue in our next post]
JOHN 3;14-21
Preachers are used as instruments in converting people, but not, in regenerating them.
In 3 New Testament passages, where we read of converting of someone to God, the subject of the verb is not God, but a preacher-
Luke 1;16-''And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.''
Acts 26;17-18-''Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee. 18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.''
James 5;19-20-''Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; 20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way, shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.''
The Conversion of men, is to be the objective of ministers and churches, but we can't be the instruments of conversion in people, where there has been no work of God in Regeneration.
Therefore, our 1st plea is for the power of God in Regeneration, and then, for men to repent and to believe-
To be Reconciled To God-
2 Corinthians 5;19-20-''To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us; we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.''
To Receive Reconciliation-
Romans 5;10-11-''For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.''
Now, I want, to emphasize the fact, that external preaching of The Word alone, doesn't effect
Conversion, that is of God.
The Conviction, that is of God, is the fruit of Regeneration-
John 16;8-11-''
And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment; 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 0f righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment, ause the prince of this world is judged.''
Now, pretended believers may have their natural faculties illuminated to the extent, that, The
Seed of The Word brings some visible growth, but they are rocky and thorny-grounded hearers [Matthew 13].
Any conviction that comes from the mere preaching of truth, is no more than a moral suasion.
Apart from the work of God the Holy Spirit, in the heart, there will be no lasting effect of external preaching.
The Internal Spirit of Life is required, to apply the external Word.
The Regenerated Person realizes, by The Indwelling Spirit, that this Word comes directly to him,
from God.
It affects and condemns his very being;
thus it causes him to penetrate into, the hidden essence of the Word, and feel the sharp sting which affects Divine Conviction.
Divine Conviction is related to, and is inseparable from Regeneration.
It is produced by The Gospel.
Now, It is not a question of whether God works Regeneration by a creative word, or, a command.
For, He does.
Genesis 1;3-''And God said, Let there be light, and there was light.''
Galatians 1;3-[Turn].
Ezekiel 16;6-''And when I passed by thee, and saw the polluted in thine own blood, I said unto thee, when thou wast in thy blood, Live; yea, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live.''
Regeneration takes place, immediately, in the subconsciousness, while the truth of the gospel, addresses itself to, man's consciousness.
You see, The Truth of The Gospel can exercise its persuasive influence, only when man's attention is fixed upon it.
And in order, for man's attention, to be fixed upon The Gospel, there has to be first, a work of grace, in his heart.
And This is The Work of Regeneration. [ we will continue in our next post]
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
THE HOLY SPIRIT CALLS TO CONVERSION-Part 2
When an individual is converted, Regeneration and Conversion seem to coincide;
they do, in his consciousness, but, they are distinct.
They differ in this respect;
Regeneration is wrought in One, without his cooperation;
Calling includes his cooperation.
In Calling, The Will and Understanding begin to act, so that, we hear with both the outward and inward ear;
and with the inclined will, we are willing to go out, to the light.
As there is Time between implanting the seed, in the womb, and bringing forth a child in birth,
so it is, in The Spiritual Realm, with this important difference--no one knows WHEN The Work of
Regeneration takes place.
With John Baptist, it was, BEFORE HIS PHYSICAL BIRTH. He was still in his mother's womb-
Luke 1;41-45-''And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost; And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me/ For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed; for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.''
Jeremiah 1;5-''Before I formed thee in the belly, I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.''
Galatians 1;15-16-[Turn].
God's Calling doesn't have its starting point, in the preacher. He that calls, is God, not the minister.
The Calling is Heavenly-Hebrews 3;1-''Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;''
The Calling is Holy-2 Timothy 1;9-[Turn].
The Calling is High-To Christ, our Lord-Philippians 3;14-[Turn].
The Calling is according to God's Purpose-Romans 8;28-[Quote].
Although The Call doesn't begin with The Preacher, it includes him.
The Call of The Regenerate is two-fold;
1. From Without, by the preaching of the Word-
2. From Within, by exhortation, and Holy Spirit Conviction.
Hence, The Call, by The Holy Spirit, is two-fold;
Number 1-He uses The Word, which is inspired, prepared and committed to writing, and is preserved, and proclaimed by The Spirit-Called Minister.
Number 2-He illuminates The Understanding, to recognize and respond to The Call.
Understanding results in Divine Conviction.
His Calling is without Repentance-Romans 11;29-''For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.''
There is a bridge, which can be crossed, but once;and, once it is crossed, there is no going back.
It is unchangeable, irreversible, and irrevocable.
The Appeal is to The Faithfulness of God. Calling without Repentance does not refer to man, but to God.
Now, Get this truth; God does not change His Purpose. Calling has its foundation in Election, and its end, in Glorification.
It is from God's Purpose, to His Eternal Glory.
Re; God's Purpose-Romans 8;28-[Quote].
Re; His Eternal Glory-I Peter 5;10-''But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.''
Believers are exhorted to make their calling sure--2 Peter 1;10-[Turn]. Through making our election sure-sure to ourselves.
Now, observe the order; [1] Calling, then [2] Election. Only through Calling, can we make
Election sure.
Calling is an evidence, or result, of Election.
Calling is confirmed by a holy life.
You see, there is no firmness in hypocrites.
The Effectual Call is Personal, not General. For example; Zacchaeus made haste, and came down, when he was called by name-
Luke 19;1-5-''And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. 4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him; for he was to pass that way. 5 And when
Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.''
God's Grace and Call humbles One.
Christ said, ''I must''. There is no standing against it.
Notice Christ invited Himself;
Zacchaeus didn't invite Him-Luke 19;5].
Next, We find that our Lord, not only invited Himself, but, He said, ''I must abide at thy house.''
And When our Lord says, ''must,'' it must be.
This Call was effectual, because Zacchaeus embraced Christ, and produced good works.
I THESSA. 2;13-[TURN].
Now, get this truth; The Sheep of Christ hear His voice, and follow Him-
John 10;27-28-''My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.''
Although we often complain that, it is hard to get people, to listen to The Gospel, let's never forget, that Christ said, ''My sheep hear my voice''.
The Effectual Call gives God, His Rightful Place, as the prime mover, in the work of Grace.
Calling is entirely, on The Divine Side-
Romans 8;30-''Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called; and whom he called, them he also justified; and whom he justified, them he also glorified.''
The effect of God's Call is that Jesus Christ becomes a personal Reality to everyone, who is called.
And the most wonderful preaching in the world, cannot produce that.
Now, there is only one test, which shows if we are right, or wrong. It is our attitude towards
Christ.
God's Call brings about something, in the regenerated soul, that MUST WORK ITS WAY OUT.
No natural hindrance can stand in its way.
God's Call separates a person from all man-made schemes, for putting things right.
Hence, the person, who has been effectually called of God, can't deny that Jesus Christ is in him.
Saints have been called of Jesus Christ-Romans 1;6-''Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus
Christ;''
This denotes privilege.
They are called Saints-Romans 1;7a-''To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints;''
This speaks of practice.
They are called according to God's eternal purpose, God's plan-Romans 8;28-[Quote].
They are called =children of the living God, referring to their perpetuity-
Romans 9;26-[turn].
END
they do, in his consciousness, but, they are distinct.
They differ in this respect;
Regeneration is wrought in One, without his cooperation;
Calling includes his cooperation.
In Calling, The Will and Understanding begin to act, so that, we hear with both the outward and inward ear;
and with the inclined will, we are willing to go out, to the light.
As there is Time between implanting the seed, in the womb, and bringing forth a child in birth,
so it is, in The Spiritual Realm, with this important difference--no one knows WHEN The Work of
Regeneration takes place.
With John Baptist, it was, BEFORE HIS PHYSICAL BIRTH. He was still in his mother's womb-
Luke 1;41-45-''And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost; And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me/ For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed; for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.''
Jeremiah 1;5-''Before I formed thee in the belly, I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.''
Galatians 1;15-16-[Turn].
God's Calling doesn't have its starting point, in the preacher. He that calls, is God, not the minister.
The Calling is Heavenly-Hebrews 3;1-''Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;''
The Calling is Holy-2 Timothy 1;9-[Turn].
The Calling is High-To Christ, our Lord-Philippians 3;14-[Turn].
The Calling is according to God's Purpose-Romans 8;28-[Quote].
Although The Call doesn't begin with The Preacher, it includes him.
The Call of The Regenerate is two-fold;
1. From Without, by the preaching of the Word-
2. From Within, by exhortation, and Holy Spirit Conviction.
Hence, The Call, by The Holy Spirit, is two-fold;
Number 1-He uses The Word, which is inspired, prepared and committed to writing, and is preserved, and proclaimed by The Spirit-Called Minister.
Number 2-He illuminates The Understanding, to recognize and respond to The Call.
Understanding results in Divine Conviction.
His Calling is without Repentance-Romans 11;29-''For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.''
There is a bridge, which can be crossed, but once;and, once it is crossed, there is no going back.
It is unchangeable, irreversible, and irrevocable.
The Appeal is to The Faithfulness of God. Calling without Repentance does not refer to man, but to God.
Now, Get this truth; God does not change His Purpose. Calling has its foundation in Election, and its end, in Glorification.
It is from God's Purpose, to His Eternal Glory.
Re; God's Purpose-Romans 8;28-[Quote].
Re; His Eternal Glory-I Peter 5;10-''But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.''
Believers are exhorted to make their calling sure--2 Peter 1;10-[Turn]. Through making our election sure-sure to ourselves.
Now, observe the order; [1] Calling, then [2] Election. Only through Calling, can we make
Election sure.
Calling is an evidence, or result, of Election.
Calling is confirmed by a holy life.
You see, there is no firmness in hypocrites.
The Effectual Call is Personal, not General. For example; Zacchaeus made haste, and came down, when he was called by name-
Luke 19;1-5-''And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. 4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him; for he was to pass that way. 5 And when
Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.''
God's Grace and Call humbles One.
Christ said, ''I must''. There is no standing against it.
Notice Christ invited Himself;
Zacchaeus didn't invite Him-Luke 19;5].
Next, We find that our Lord, not only invited Himself, but, He said, ''I must abide at thy house.''
And When our Lord says, ''must,'' it must be.
This Call was effectual, because Zacchaeus embraced Christ, and produced good works.
I THESSA. 2;13-[TURN].
Now, get this truth; The Sheep of Christ hear His voice, and follow Him-
John 10;27-28-''My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.''
Although we often complain that, it is hard to get people, to listen to The Gospel, let's never forget, that Christ said, ''My sheep hear my voice''.
The Effectual Call gives God, His Rightful Place, as the prime mover, in the work of Grace.
Calling is entirely, on The Divine Side-
Romans 8;30-''Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called; and whom he called, them he also justified; and whom he justified, them he also glorified.''
The effect of God's Call is that Jesus Christ becomes a personal Reality to everyone, who is called.
And the most wonderful preaching in the world, cannot produce that.
Now, there is only one test, which shows if we are right, or wrong. It is our attitude towards
Christ.
God's Call brings about something, in the regenerated soul, that MUST WORK ITS WAY OUT.
No natural hindrance can stand in its way.
God's Call separates a person from all man-made schemes, for putting things right.
Hence, the person, who has been effectually called of God, can't deny that Jesus Christ is in him.
Saints have been called of Jesus Christ-Romans 1;6-''Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus
Christ;''
This denotes privilege.
They are called Saints-Romans 1;7a-''To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints;''
This speaks of practice.
They are called according to God's eternal purpose, God's plan-Romans 8;28-[Quote].
They are called =children of the living God, referring to their perpetuity-
Romans 9;26-[turn].
END
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
