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NASB | 1 Timothy 2:4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Timothy 2:4 who wishes all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge and recognition of the [divine] truth. |
Subject: Reconciling 1 Tim 2:4 with Rom 8:29 |
Bible Note: It is not revealed in just one place in the Bible. The Bible reveals that there are stages in God's drawing men to himself. The first stage is what I have learned to call "God consciousness." This is where God gets men to accept the reality that there must be a God. It is not a salvation call at this stage. "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse." (Romans 1:18-20) Note: "because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them." God does this work in ALL men. It is because of evil in their hearts that some suppress the truth they have been shown. I had this happen to me as a child. I wanted to know God, for I sensed God had to exist. Yet, I had no idea about Jesus Christ and salvation. That, came years later. Many religious men stop at this stage. They accept that there is a God, but reject God's further drawing them to know about salvation in Christ. Many of the Jews following Jesus were seeking salvation through works. They wanted to learn of what works they needed to become saved. That is why in John 6, Jesus threw at them that they must eat his flesh and drink his blood in order to be saved. Jesus was speaking figuratively about his saving work on the Cross, but they took him literally. Many at that point stopped following him because that was *a work* that they saw as disgusting and repulsive. Jesus was slapping them around in their legalism towards salvation. And, Jesus also made sure to make it clear that men are not saved by their works, but rather, by the work of God in their hearts. "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day." (John 6:44) God draws all men to know there is a God. Then, if they remain positive in knowing more about God he will draw them into preparing their hearts for receiving the Gospwl. If they remain positive God will send them the Gospel, even if they live in a remote isolated part of the world. Not all are positive to God's drawing them. That is why in parts of the world they never hear the Gospel. God will hold these accountable at the judgment for what he will show them they had rejected in his drawing them to Christ. Grace and peace, Gene |