Subject: God is in control of every single atom? |
Bible Note: Pastor Glen nice to post in response to your thoughts: You use "John 12: 32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself." to support you thought that God draws ALL people to Him. But, indeed all do not come. The term "ALL" has several different meanings in Scripture, which being a pastor you know. ALL over 500 times in Scripture means all types or all kinds. This is its usage in the verse you quote. THe parable of the sower does nothing to support you as matter a fact it is against what you are saying. It speaks of 3 different heart that will not accept the Word of God and only one that will. The one that will is the one given by God...it is good soil, which can only come from God. If it comes from man what is the need of grace for salvation? Indeed Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, but I read elsewhere on this forum, that many died prior to it being lifted up and it was only lifted for Israel (the elect) and NOT for the Gentiles that were in the surrounding regions, which one must assume they had sin, for all have sinned. So again the serpent is only for the elect and only for those enabled to look (believe--John 3:16). I agree we must send laborers into the Field because none know who the elect are. 2 Peter 2:9 uses an interesting word "us-ward". the verse is very specific...it is to Christians. Look at the surrounding verses and you will find the same. Look at what Peter is speaking about in the whole of the chapter, I think you will agree. God's foreknowledge is an intimate relationship He has with His elect. This is clear from the Greek I have seen, and I am sure as a pastor you have seen it as well. Plus, the term foreknowledge is linked with some other terms Rom 8 says "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren." The ones He foreknew are the ones He predestined to be conformed to the image of His sons, and not any other. This could not mean He foreknew their decision for that would make salvation a work of one's will (Eph 2:8-9, John 1:13) but it means His intimate relationship He had with those He predestined. For those "he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified." See if He called ALL and He justified ALL the way you state the term is being used then ALL would have to be saved. Thus, though God desire His Word to be preached to all only those He gives a heart to receive (heart for the sower), only those He gives eyes to see (the serpent) and only those He predestined, called, justifed, and evnetually glorify will be the ones and are the only ones that will ever truly hear the proclaimed gospel for the natural mind profiteth nothing, but that which is spiritual--ye must be born again.... |