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NASB | Matthew 22:14 "For many are called, but few are chosen." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 22:14 "For many are called (invited, summoned), but few are chosen." |
Bible Question:
Dear Hank, "The call spoken of here is sometimes referred to as the "general call" of the Gospel, the great "whosoever will" of Revelation 22:17. The call extends to all who hear the Gospel." Question: What of those who never recieve even the general call of the gospel? Of what use is free will if one is not offered the choice? " Many hear it; few respond (See Matthew 7:13,14). In this parable (beginning at verse 1 of Matthew 22) Jesus was emphasizing to the Jewish audience, who considered themselves to be God's chosen people, that the outward call of God was not sufficient for salvation apart from the efficacious call of grace." Efficatious means possessing the quality of being effective; productive of, or powerful to produce, the effect intended; as, an efficacious law. "Here then we see the proper balance between human responsibility and divine sovereignty: the "called" who reject the invitation do so willingly, thus there is no injustice in their exclusion from the kingdom. The "chosen" accept the invitation extended solely by the grace of God and not by virtue of their own merit. --Hank" Question: Is it true that Scripture teaches that all men are born condemned already? Is'nt it also true that God would have been justified even if He had chosen to have mercy on none? Your thoughts? |
Bible Answer: John You asked - "What of those who never recieve even the general call of the gospel?" While mulling over that question, the following verses came to mind. 2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness, but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. Concerning the above verse, which I believe speaks directly about God's will, which says that it is not God's will for any to perish, then I would tend to conclude, that God calls, or draws everyone to be saved. , but because God gave man the freedom to either respond and receive the free universal offer of salvation, then man is held accountable for rejecting the offer or free gift of life. John 1:9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world From the above verse we learn that the light comes to every man which comes into the world. I don't see any indication's of exclusion in that verse. John 12:32 Jesus said "And if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Myself According to the above verse, I am told that Jesus will draw all men unto Himself Finally in the verse below I learn that the one who willfully rejects the light Jesus provides, and the words which are able to save the individaual, will be judged for that willful rejection However, all men receive light - all men are drawn. God gave man a will to receive or reject the universal offer which is able to save each and every soul. If men are damned, man, not God is at fault. John 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: I don't see where Scripture anywhere says God will judge for the individual's inability to respond to the universal offer of salvation, which I believe all receive. I don't personally believe that God's grace is limited to only a few, but rather extends to all His created beings Our God is more loving and more merciful than any of us can imagine or think. New Creature |