“Nevertheless
the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, THE LORD KNOWETH THEM
THAT ARE HIS. And, Let every one that nameth the NAME OF CHRIST DEPART FROM
INIQUITY. But in a great house there are
not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some
to honour, and some to dishonour. IF A
MAN THEREFORE PURGE HIMSELF FROM THESE, he shall be a vessel unto honour,
sanctified, and MEET FOR THE MASTER'S USE, and prepared unto every good work.”
2 Timothy 2:19-21
The Word of
God is greater than anyone no matter how great that figure might be in
Christendom. Salvation is from God. It is a free gift offered by the eternal
God to man to redeem his soul from eternal destruction in the pit of hell. It
cost God a lot via sacrificing His Son on the Cross of Calvary through the
shedding of His blood for the remission of sins. But is made available freely
to as many who desire it.
The grace of
God is on all who have accepted the Lordship of Jesus after total repentance
from sin. We are not saved by our own effort it is by the mercy of God. As true
as this statement is we need to understand that God does not force salvation on
anyone. IT IS A MATTER OF PERSONAL DECISION THAT ANY INDIVIDUAL CAN MAKE JESUS
HIS LORD. Jesus said,
“COME UNTO ME, all ye that labour and are
heavy laden, and I will give you rest” Matt 11:28
This was
Jesus’ call to salvation. Come unto me is an appeal that Jesus made to the
people of His own days and He is still making it today.
“BEHOLD, I
STAND AT THE DOOR, AND KNOCK: IF ANY MAN HEAR MY VOICE, AND OPEN THE DOOR, I
WILL COME IN TO HIM, AND WILL SUP WITH HIM, AND HE WITH ME. “ Revelation 3:20
There is a
decision to be made for anyone to get saved. You must make up your mind to
accept the free gift of salvation from God. God does not force anyone to be
saved but He wants everyone to be saved but it has to be a personal choice.
“He came
unto his own, and HIS OWN RECEIVED HIM NOT. But as MANY AS RECEIVED HIM, to
them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his
name:” John 1:11-12
It is very
clear from the above that a choice and a decision are involved in the issue of
accepting the free gift of salvation. I want to reveal the heartbeat of God for
all humanity. Even though He wants all men to be saved but HIS WILL ALONE
CANNOT SAVE MAN. Man must make that conscious effort to accept His free gift.
“The Lord is
not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is
longsuffering to us-ward, NOT WILLING THAT ANY SHOULD PERISH, BUT THAT ALL
SHOULD COME TO REPENTANCE.” 2 Peter 3:9
Look at this
statement, “…NOT WILLING THAT ANY SHOULD PERISH, BUT THAT ALL SHOULD COME TO
REPENTANCE”
This is the
will of God. That all should come to repentance. But the question is this,
WILL ALL
COME TO REPENTANCE?
I believe
you know the answer already.
Romans 3:23
declares,
“FOR ALL
HAVE SINNED, and come short of the glory of God; BEING JUSTIFIED FREELY BY HIS
GRACE THROUGH THE REDEMPTION THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS: “Romans 3:23-24
We are
sinners by virtue of the fallen nature we inherited from Adam. WE DON’T BECOME
SINNERS WHEN WE SIN, WE SIN BECAUSE WE ARE SINNERS.
“WHEREFORE,
AS BY ONE MAN SIN ENTERED INTO THE WORLD, and death by sin; and so death passed
upon all men, FOR THAT ALL HAVE SINNED” Romans 5:12
But when we
decide to accept the free gift of salvation in Christ, then we become justified
by His grace. Redemption plan is something that is meant for all but not all
will accept it.
Why?
We have the
right to exercise our wills against the will of God as free moral beings. God
doesn’t bend our wills to His own.
Although He can create circumstances that can help us bend our wills as
He did unto Nebuchadnezzar when he became a human animal for seven years Daniel
4.
“And at the
end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine
understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and
honoured him that livethfor ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion,
and his kingdom is from generation to generation: … NOW I NEBUCHADNEZZAR PRAISE AND EXTOL AND
HONOUR THE KING OF HEAVEN, ALL WHOSE WORKS ARE TRUTH, AND HIS WAYS JUDGMENT:
AND THOSE THAT WALK IN PRIDE HE IS ABLE TO ABASE.” Daniel 4:34-37
The godless
king bent his will to acknowledge the supremacy of God. Unlike His counterpart
Pharaoh who hardened His heart even after God demonstrated His power and
majesty in Egypt. There is a question people have asked about the case of
Pharaoh which some school of thoughts has termed THE SOVEREIGN WILL OF GOD.
This school believes it was God that hardened the heart of Pharaoh so that He
could destroy him. This is where people need to flow with the Holy Spirit in
order to receive DIVINE REVELATION and explain The Scripture better.
WATCH OUT
FOR PART 2, I have not said anything yet. This is going to be one long Bible
Revelation Series.
Or connect with me of facebook
or send me an email
apostlefrancisministries@gmail.com
Jesus remains,
