Subject: Why do some believe while others do not? |
Bible Note: Hello CDBJ, Thanks for the response and question, however, I still fear this may turn into yet another debate on the doctrine of election. In any case, I have always understood the statement of Christ “…many are called, but few are chosen” in very simple terms. That is, while many hear the message of salvation not all are chosen by God for inclusion to His family. In the context of the passage as a whole it is interesting that many were called (Matt 22:1-6) and never attended the wedding feast, while others were not said to be called at all but instead “gathered”. And the one not properly dressed is as the five virgins with no oil for their lamps (Matt. 25) And these are like those to whom the Lord will say “And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.” Matthew 7:23 (ESV) As with all but the “elect” of Israel “failed to obtain what it was seeking” (Romans 11:7) that God’s mercy might be extended beyond, so too those who already had the promise of invitation to the feast failed to come. If we agree that these parables and Paul’s teaching in Romans 11 refer to the same thing (as I do), it is an easier thing to understand that God will be gracious to whom He will be gracious and show mercy to whom He will show mercy (Ex. 33:19) and then to finally believe that “…it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. (Rom 9:15) KJV God bless, Jeff |