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The
Radical Pilgrim

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Pro Bible ~ Pro Apologetics ~ Pro Kingdom ~
All
scripture quotations from the Authorized Version, without
apologies.
Placed accents mine.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Obedience, Freewill, and the Sovereignty of God
that he by
the grace of God should taste death for every man
Hebrews 2:9
The
doctrine of reconciliation
3
John 1:8. "We therefore ought
to receive
such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth."
Fellow
helpers to the
truth!!??
Recapping on the fact that every Bible believer is not only brought to the cross for redemption's sake but is called to be a witness in this world for Christ; where the Bible believer has been administered with the charge of reconciling the lost to their Maker through the gospel. This is not an additional option but the responsibility of every Christian. It also means it is not a just matter for the individual being saved and ready for heaven, because with spiritual privilege comes spiritual responsibility. This is why scripture refers to the redeemed as "labourers together with God" and "workers together with him". We have been entrusted with this great ministry of reconciliation to God as we co-operate with the Holy Ghost in being "fellowhelpers to the truth".
Confirmation found in 2 Corinthians Five verses ...Two
extremes in the doctrine of
reconciliation
Jacob
Arminius was
a man who lived at the beginning of the
Protestant Reformation. His teachings were a backlash against a
man
called John Calvin who used the Bible as a covering for tyranny and a
justification for setting up in political opposition to Papal
Rome.
Both
teachings were in opposition and were a reaction against the other (one
taking the soft approach, while the other the hard-line),
using
scripture taken to extreme to reinforce their doctrines. Hence,
these
two wings are from the same bird which carried the Reformation into
what is also known as the Protestant Movement. When it comes
to sound doctrine the Bible always teaches "a just balance" and
"rightly dividing the word of truth." Not a false balance
of two
opposing theologies (no wonder this bird didn't go anywhere apart from
returning to it's Mother's nest in Rome). Hence ...
Arminianism as
a doctrine (from the JA wing), leads to the
notion Jesus is just there
for 'the
taking or leaving' (due to the doctrine of preservation being left
'open ended'). Therefore, one can choose to accept or refuse to
accept Jesus before or
after conversion. This means if one chooses to say no to Jesus
prior
to
conversion, then that's fine with God for the present, as the
individual can
come later when he feels
he is ready. If one chooses to say "no" to Jesus after
conversion,
this
is even better, as Jesus will never ever leave that person irrespective
of that person walking with God daily, or whether he goes his own way
living a life in total rebellion and contrary to everything the Bible
teaches.
However,
contrary to this
teaching the word teaches that we
have been predestinated to receive Him. Therefore, if we don't draw
near
to
Him, He will not draw near to us. If we reject Him, He
will reject us. Where finally, judgement and eternal hell await
any
Christ rejecter, including those who were once of the faith (please
check these verses out ... 1 Tim. 1:19; 4:1; 5:8,15,24,25;
6:10,21; 2
Tim. 2:18; Heb. 6:6; 10:26-39?) before departing from the faith.
Arminianism
as a doctrine, is a
gospel of
convenience, placing
man in the centre and God on the outside, where Jesus becomes an errand
boy figurehead.
Not
so for the supposed few elitist
chosen,
who would
be born by
divine providence for obtaining salvation outside of exercising their
willingness to surrender to God, with nothing being able to affect them
coming to
Christ. However, we do know from scripture that the
Lord does grant the most foulest of sinners space (grace, mercy, a
measure of His Spirit) to respond towards Him in repentance so that He
would come and set up His abode in the repentant sinners life (live and abide
in their hearts) after it has been washed clean by the blood of Jesus.
The
doctrine of Calvinism portrays a
god who
is not a loving
father but an unreasonable god who exercises His power in a
harsh, cruel manner, and will not change His mind despite the
desperate, broken, intercessors plea (Ps. 34:18; Jer. 33:3), and denies
scriptures like Heb. 2:19
... that
Jesus
tasted death for every man.
The following are both non-Arminianism and non-Calvinism in doctrine
John 17:2. "As thou hast given him power over all flesh (both Jew and Gentile od ALL peoples),, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him."
The
Holy Ghost is poured out on all
flesh
like a net over a shoal of fish. The fish represent all nations
and
are not just one nation as under the Old Covenant. Many are
hauled in
by the fishermen leaving many of the multitude of fish still in the sea
where some will be fished out by others later. However, only a few
are chosen in the end as many are thrown back into the deep.
Due to
the
fact that many actually hear the call of God and respond to a degree,
but only a few take full heed and embrace the Son fully, because some
seed fall on good ground ... on an honest and good heart (Luke
8:15).
Therefore,
whosoever calls
out to the name of the Lord is actually calling out and acknowledging
everything the
name pertains to ... to the Son of God, the lamb slain for our sin, our atoner, our intercessor (one who
pleads our case) and
our mediator for salvation (the one and
only
avenue to God). In other words, it's
what the individual does
with the Son
(the word, the good seed) which determines their salvation.
1
Pe. 1:23. "Being born again,
not of
corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which
liveth and abideth for ever."
This is to do with those who receive
(embrace, take into heart) the Son!
Ps.
2:12. "Kiss the
Son
(embrace, cleave to), lest he be angry,
and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little.
Blessed are all they that put their trust in
him."
The
New Testament equivalent:
John
3:16. "For God so loved the
world,
that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in him
should not perish, but have everlasting life."
The
issue is Jesus! The Son of
God! The only begotten of the Father! What we
do with Him!
That's the pearl of great price! Most will reject Him, but some
will
fall
down and cling to His ankles and wash His feet with their tears
and hair. Kissing Him dearly!
But
"Pilate saith unto them, What
shall I do
then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him,
Let him be crucified."
What
shall we do with Jesus which is
called
Christ? This is the issue! Let Him be crucified (over and
over
again), or call out to one whom we pierced? Most don't and will
reject
Him, but a few do and will accept Him.
This
is completely on His terms and
is fair
and just and reasonable outside the wisdom of man. If they accept
Him
as the lamb of God and His blood sacrifice as all sufficient for their
redemption and eternal salvation, then they are accepted beloved of the
Father
and He hands them back to His Son for safe keeping. Not one
of
them is lost in this security (unless they opt out and leave - "in the
latter times some shall depart
from the faith"). What a great salvation ... when someone is carried
and hidden secure in the bosom
of the great shepherd of the sheep!
John 6: 39-40. "And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me (the Father giving to the Son) I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day."
Therefore,
our walk is a constant
walk in
the
Son. If you are in the Son, then He is in you. This is
making JESUS
our
salvation, as both our surety and assurance. On a continued, eternal,
basis. The all and all, the alpha and the omega, the beginning
and the
end, the author and
finisher of our faith! "For in him we live, and move, and have
our
being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his
offspring."
A gift at the end of the day
Remembering:
Repentance
is a gift.
Salvation is a gift.
Faith is a gift.
Wisdom is a gift.
And a love for the truth is a gift (stuff like this really kills the
flesh - doesn't it?).
All
these things come down from
above, and
cometh down from the Father of lights, as
good gifts, and cannot be executed unless responded to and accepted by the
recipient ... the desperate sinner or the broken saint abiding in Him. Read
on and I will supply you with
all the
scriptural references allowing you to decide (if you believe in choice
that is) whether what I write is scriptural or not?
Freely ye have received, freely give. Which means we freely receive Him (God's free gift - our freewill exercised). Then others can receive (accept) from us. Again, this means receiving (or accepting) Jesus is scriptural after all!
John 6:21. "Then they willingly received him into the ship".
If
you can willingly receive or
accept the
person of
Jesus (both God and
man) physically into your house (Luke 10:38) or boat (John 6:21), then spiritually
you can
willingly receive Jesus into your life. Does this make sense? This is the same as
saying
you can
receive Him into your heart where He resides or abides, and
your body becomes the temple of God. Or ... "Christ in you, the hope of
glory"!
1
Pet. 4:10. "As every man hath
received
the gift,
even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards
(one who managers someone's property and affairs) of the
manifold
grace of God."
A
principle in scripture is always first the natural, then the spiritual
(1 Cor. 15:46). If one works, or is a possibility, then so is the
spiritual latter.
Luke
8:40. "And it came to pass,
that, when
Jesus was returned,
the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for
him."
So
it is one thing to receive Jesus
of
Nazareth into your midst
(company of friends or home) but it is another thing to go further and
receive Him into your heart. Likewise,
we can also receive the
word, or
the Holy Ghost, or the
anointing, or the promise. Scripture says
plainly they "received the knowledge
of the truth" or "they received not the love of the truth".
Whattabout
receiving "your
ministry"? Just don't ever say, "I received Christ into my heart
(or
life)"!!! Ministry is okay! It's very important or makes
one feel
important ... doesn't it? But whattabout
Jesus? Oh, it's okay to say "I received healing", "I received
prayer", "I
received counsel", "I received the gift of this or that"! Or, "I
received
a
word, instruction, wisdom, the word, a rhema (oh, don't you just go all
gooey over the Greek?) and this or that"! But never say "I
received Jesus"!!! This is becoming a big "no no" in many more circles
of late! Yeah, right!!! What does scripture say?
Receiving
Christ
John
1:11-12. "He came unto his
own, and
his own received him
not. But as many as received him (Jesus), to them
gave
he
power to become the sons of God (the Father), even to them that
believe on his
name".
The
above verse is clear that it was God's
very own chosen nation who
refused to receive Jesus. Out of the nations of the world it was
now
the
whosoever (anyone who received Christ) who could be saved, still
including the Jews by the way (who were cut off from the vine), only on
the condition
of being grafted back in through Christ and His finished work (tough on
the "Hebrew Roots" Movement). Yes, the way is still (very)
narrow,
even for Jews as well as Gentiles, of intellectuals as well as the
unlearnt. He is the way and the truth. No one can get there
unless
they come through the door. No one can make it unless they call
out to
the one whom they pierced and embrace and kiss the Son.
Matt.
21:22. "And all things, whatsoever
ye
shall ask in prayer,
believing, ye shall receive."
Seeking,
asking, believing,
receiving, are
all scriptural terms
for those who would call out.
1 John 3:22. "And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight."
Yes,
seeking, believing, calling out,
receiving, are all
scriptural terms for those who would ask.
James
4:2 "... yet ye
have not, because ye
ask not."
God will not respond to us if we do not respond to Him (more on this later).
Col.
2:6. "As ye have therefore
received
(passive) Christ Jesus the
Lord, so walk (active) ye in him".
Therefore, it is not just enough to ask Him
into
your life
(or heart - in the passive tense). There must be a continuance in these things (in the active tense). We
must
continue in His word, and walk in the Spirit according to
scripture and "continue in faith and charity and holiness".
John
16:23. "And in that day ye shall
ask me
nothing. Verily, verily, I
say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he
will
give
it you."
John 20:22. "And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and
saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost".
1 John 5:14. "And this is the confidence that we have in him,
that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us".
Oh,
it's getting mundane, isn't
it? It's not
really my intention to plaster scripture all over these posts just for
the sake of
handing out knowledge like lolly scrambles, as most of us possess Bibles of our own.
Yes, indeed it is 'information overload', and information is not
revelation! However, I feel all these
verses are relevant
at this time and need a fresh visit in context with what is being
conveyed:
Matt. 7:8. "For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."
Matt. 10:4. "He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him (the Father) that sent me."
Matt.
10:41. "He that receiveth
a prophet
in the name of a
prophet
shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man
in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward."
Matt. 13:20. "But he that received the seed into stony places,
the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it".
Although some of the following content may be new and thought provoking to some, others may wonder why it is too mundane and simplistic in places, with such detail and explanation. Once I would have felt the same way, but having made personal contact with some Christians in the last few years, which, against all logic and sound reasoning, insist that I, nor anyone else, has a freewill, nor is having a freewill Biblical in any sense of the word. However, I believe, there is no doubt, whatsoever, with sustained scriptural backing, freewill (as one word in this case) is Biblical.
Now
lets get down to tin tacks!
Psalms 54:6. "I will freely sacrifice unto thee".
Own freewill ...
Scriptural?
Yes!!
Own
... self ownership
(under the Lordship of Christ)! Freewill
... the freedom under the Lordship of Christ to self exercise the
will!
Ezra 7:13. "I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and of his priests and Levites, in my realm, which are minded of their own freewill to go up to Jerusalem, go with thee."
There it is! Notice ... "own freewill"! Freewill in written form! From the holy script! Belonging to and of the individual!
Freewill is mentioned seventeen times in scripture. Only once (as the verse above) is it mentioned in conjunction with what geographical direction the individual's will chooses (and Jerusalem was the place to worship). The other sixteen times is it mentioned in scripture as in doing with offering/s.
An offering is always to do with what the individual proposes or initiates from within him or herself. It is to do with executing a gift or a consideration. Simply, such as ... "Please accept my gift?" Moreover, as stated earlier ... salvation is a gift (more on this later). On the other hand, in receiving a gift, the freewill is also exercised in responding to or being received by the recipient. In other words, an offering is made by choice as it is also received by choice where two parties are concerned.
1
Pet. 4: 9-10. "Use
hospitality one to another without
grudging.
As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to
another".
The
gift must be exercised by the recipient which is to do with the
exercising the will of of the recipient, as none else can do this for
him.
Moving on, lets
spell it out again ...
offering means (according to the dictionary):
To
put forward for
consideration; propose: offer an
opinion.
To present in order to meet a need or satisfy a requirement:
To present as an act of worship: offer up prayers.
To exhibit readiness or desire
Reiterating ... freewill is to do with what man initiates from within himself, towards God or his fellow man. How he responds to God or his fellow man by an act of his (wait for it) ... will! And being given the ability to exercise it! That's the 'will' folks!:
2 Cor. 8:12. "For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not."
The will is free by divine decree and design when conveyed in the right context. Hence, the biblical term 'freewill'! Which means the will is free to do with what the individual can choose to do. However, like in all things, there are limitations ... the will is not free when it comes to choosing according to which we hath not, cannot have, or cannot do. F'instance, I cannot choose to buy the Moon, or how about the planet Mars or the Crown Jewels for that matter, as this of course is way outside my boundaries; isn't it? Oh well, so much for the hyper faith "blab it and grab it" doctrine!!
Are you still with me?
Capping off this point in 1 Corinthians 7:37, Paul mentions a man who chooses not to give his daughter away "but hath power over his own will"! He does so because, as the head of the home (as someone vested with this responsibility) he still "hath power over his own will". E-nuff said?
Also,
'freewill' and 'choice' are two
different things in one
sense.
F'instance, I may choose which colour I want to paint my house because I
own it and there are no laws forbidding me not to do so. However,
in the same sense, I do not have a choice when it comes to a 'stop
sign'
while driving on a public road. Because the will of the authority
behind the sign (which I am subject to) commands me to, "Stop!"
If
I exercised my freewill and ignored the sign, and just drove straight
through,
I would
be abusing freewill by my rebellion against the authority I am
subject
to. This
would be called self-will! In like manner,
when God makes a
command we do not have choice
either (what God says ... goes!), although we can abuse freewill
(which is self-will) and rebel and suffer the consequences. Like
freewill being one word, self-will is also one word in the scriptures as
Genesis 49:6, Titus 1:7 and 2 Peter 2:10.
"For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled".
Adam
and Eve were created with
freewill ... to obey the Lord or
obey something contrary. However, in the Garden they were given a
command that "every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
But
of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of
it".
In other words ... Adam and Eve were free to eat from any tree,
with
a restriction of not eating from one particular tree. They had a
free choice with most trees except one. Like ... "I am free
to eat
pip fruit, stone fruit, and nuts, and also from the tree of life, but I
cannot eat from the outer-bounds tree!" This tree they were
commanded
not to partake from.
So here we find in scripture where man is free to make choices. However, these are restricted choices. Legalism means the bondage and straight-jacket of not being able to exercise the will. Meaning, someone else is doing your thinking for you (does this ring a bell?)! Liberalism means the freedom to go into excess in exercising the will without bounds, which becomes selfwill. This is doing only what feels good or is self-gratifying without being responsible towards consequences (placing experience above the word in other words)! Both legalism and liberalism are wrong doctrines and are two opposite extremes leading away from the truth.
Then there is the region where we can play on words. For example, in the theological, psychological or philosophical world (being very rampant in religious circles) this is the region where the spirit (the inner man) is cleverly bypassed. Moreover, it is when we can then easily misinterpret both an intended meaning from someone because of its phraseology or the context it is in, sometimes innocently or just to prove our own "doctrinal" point. So it is very important we do not twist or use words for our own gain, or eliminate what someone else is saying in another context, because their wording is meaning something different to how we see or use the wording. F'instance, one person my take liberty in using the word 'radical' (because the word radical has dual meanings) to make a point of "getting back to the basics of something" (had to throw in this one). Where another person, through either genuine misunderstanding or pretence, can label the person an 'extremist' because he misunderstood the application of the word, or misconstrued it deliberately (taking advantage of the other meaning in the English language), to wrongfully brand or bag the person.
In a nutshell, everything that has just been conveyed in the opening paragraphs is to do with how our Redeemer puts responsibility on how we make decisions as a believer. Non Christians are lost and outside of grace anyhow, and are therefore outside the spiritual realm. So God's word does not apply outside the call to repentance, despite what the Institutional Church teaches. Therefore (irrespective of the decisions they make outside of the cross), it does not change the fact they are still in rebellion against their Maker and in need of Him as Saviour in the first place. Where time moves on in the world's kingdom, irrespective of mans plans and endeavours. However, only for a season.
Forget
about all the "Calvinism"
verses "Arminianism" nonsense
(and
vice versa) and various doctrinal forms of strawman building, to defend
a groups position or keep someone on their pedestal. Just the
same,
forget about the historical "Reformers" verses the "Liberals" of an
era,
and vice versa. All this stuff only divides, and causes enmity
between
the brethren because of the many slants and interpretations that can be
used. Please bear with me. In this whole treatise I promise
I will
not be quoting this name or that name, this personality or that
personality,
but only pure, unadulterated, scripture. Please jump on me if I
bend
them, brake them, misquote or take them out of context? That's the
scriptures
I am referring to! But before you shoot me down, just remember I
have
got nothing to lose or nothing to gain by this article, and do not
rely
on "church" circles or fraternities for finance or platform.
Which
means you may have a hard job placing conditions on what I might or
might
not say. In the end, it is up to you whether you want to become a
religious bully or a hierarchical heavy. However, by the grace of God I will
merely stick to His word.
Freewill
Freewill! Or "I will!" Meaning ... "I will use (exercise) my will"! Meaning from the dictionary ... Something done of one's own accord; voluntary.
If
you think I'm trying to prove a
point,
let's
allow the Lord's word to confirm it. If it is not the Lord
automating
me to do so, because I happen to be doing it through an act of my own
will (and
hopefully
with the unction and inspiration of the Holy Ghost) then maybe it could
worth considering and weighing up with scripture. Obviously the
Psalmist
could exercise, voluntarily (initiate, execute, exhibit, work, do, demonstrate,
determine)
his will (freewill). Try and prove me wrong or allow me to confirm it:
Psalms
2:7. I will
declare the
decree
Psalms 3:6. I will not be afraid
Psalms 5:3 ... in the morning will
I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
Psalms 5:7. But as for me, I will
come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will
I worship
Psalms 7:17. I will praise the LORD
according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the
name
of the LORD most high.
Psalms 9:1. I will praise thee,
O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy
marvellous
works.
Psalms 9:2. I will be glad and rejoice
in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.
Psalms 9:14. That I may shew forth
all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will
rejoice
in thy salvation.
Psalms 13:6. I will sing unto the
LORD
Psalms 16:7. I will bless the LORD
Psalms 17:15. As for me, I will
behold thy face in righteousness
Psalms 18:1 ... I will love thee,
O LORD, my strength.
Psalms 18:2. The LORD is my rock, and my
fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will
trust
Psalms 18:3. I will call upon the
LORD
Psalms 18:49. Therefore will I give
thanks unto thee, O LORD
Psalms 20:5. We will (that can
be me or you) rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we
will set up our banners:
Psalms 20:7 ... we will (notice
how "I" has now changed to "we") remember the name of the LORD our God.
Psalms 21:13 ... so will we sing
and praise thy power.
Psalms 22:22. I will (back to the
individual's will) declare
thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I
praise thee.
Psalms 22:25. I will pay my vows
before them that fear him.
Psalms 23:4. I will fear no evil: for
thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Psalms 23:6 ... I will dwell in
the house of the LORD for ever.
Psalms 54:6. I will freely (I
better
emphasis this word) sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy
name,
O LORD
Psalms 79:13 ... we will (again, that can
be me or you) shew forth
thy praise to all generations.
Psalms 80:18 ... we will call upon
thy name.
Psalms 115:18 ... we will bless
the LORD from this time forth and for evermore.
Psalms 118:24. This is the day which the
LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalms 132:7. We will go into his
tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool.
Lot's of "I's" here (not to be confused with "eyes" - aye aye!) plus a few "we's" (as if the onus really is on the believer to respond - oui oui!). Simply because, if God makes commands for us to act on (and He does), then surely doesn't one have the ability to obey or disobey, unless we are programmed with mere instinct like the beasts? Paul had a freewill would you believe? Or at least he encouraged it being exercised:
Eph.
6:6. "Not with eyeservice,
as
menpleasers;
but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart".
Eph. 6:7. "With good will doing
service, as to the Lord, and not to men".
1 Cor. 9:17. "For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me."
The remnant (that's Jesus' little flock - the true church) can exercise their wills also:
1
Tim. 6:18 - 20. "That they do
good,
that
they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing
to communicate; Laying up in store
for themselves
a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold
on eternal life. O Timothy, keep that
which is
committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings,
and
oppositions of science falsely so called".
No passivity in this department ... but lots of activity! Activated from the heart ... willingly!
Heb. 13:18. "Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly."
And whattabout this one?:
Matt.
10:8. "Heal the
sick, cleanse the lepers, raise
the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely
give."
Surely, this is freewill being demonstrated! Joseph, Jesus' step dad, exercised his freewill also:
Matt. 1:19. "Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily."
Obedience or disobedience! Is it a choice? You choose what you decide (whoops, did I say that)?
Is.
1:19. "If ye be willing
and obedient,
ye shall eat the good of the land (sounds conditional to me)".
Whose
willing? Answer ... those who have a will they
are free to exercise one way or the other! E-nuff said?
Getting the balance (or rightly dividing the word of truth)
I remember a brother a few years ago preaching how any truth taken to extreme becomes error. As time went by I realized how true his statement was. Especially by experiencing being caught up in the "Luv Gospel" myself and not having the scripture as my final authority (or at least not being aware) at the time.
<>The Beatles sang "All you need is love", which became the hallmark of the "Flower Children" era and the boardwalk of the Counter Culture and New Age . It soon was adopted by the Institutional Church to appease the crowds and swell the ranks."It
can't be wrong when it feeels sooo
right ;" as the song from
Debbie
Boone (representing the evangelical world) went in the late 70's.
John
1:14. "And the Word was
made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and
we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,)
full of grace and truth.
Love
and truth ... grace and
truth ... mercy and truth. The two must
always go together. They are always married ... according to Psalms
85:10 and the rest of scripture.
Yes,
"God is love"!
Which is all I heard many times back
in the Charismatic Movement during the 70's, from gooey teachings to
songs
and bumper stickers. However (looking from the other side of the
spectrum),
what was and is omitted in the Institutional
Church,
or played right down, is also the fact that "God is true" (Jn.
3:33). Or how about "God is holy" (Ps. 99:9)! Which places new light on
the
word, doesn't it? How about the Book of Job ...
"God is mighty"? Or "God is great" (thatz Jehovah, not
Allah)? Or how about "God is
terrible majesty" (will the War on Terror brand God
Almighty a terrorist too)?
Here
are some more to consider
... Deut. 4:24;
"God is a consuming fire,
even a jealous God" (do I really want to hear this)? Or ...
Psalms
7:11; "God is
angry
with the wicked every day" (thatz not when someone misses church only
on Good Friday)? However, most don't want to know this,
or
look outside the religious square of their "spiritual" comfort
zone. This doctrine just does not fit in with their PC snazzy
doctrine.
They only want to hear that "God is love", without even knowing what it
really means. How shallow and naive eh!
Here's a couple from the New Testament, proving God's immutability: John 1:5 ... "God is light, and in him is no darkness at all." Or, Heb. 12:29 ... "God is a consuming fire (yes, in the New Test)." I guess, we don't want to hear or read this either!? Well, at least the religionist in the flesh would not. While the spirit (quickened by the Holy Ghost) is willing. We also have a few in the New Testament which says what God is not. Here is just one which sums it all up: 1 Cor. 14:33 ... "For God is not the author of confusion"!
In referring to love: Love is always based on trust and granting a beloved space. If space (liberty, freedom, the freedom to make choices) is not granted then there is no freedom, only bondage. My bible tells me that "where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." David knew what liberty was. He said in Psalms 119:45:
"I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts."
David
chose to follow the word when
the chips were down. That's
why Jesus said to 'continue'
in His word. He did not, and does not compel us, programme us, or
use us like a puppet on a string to serve Him, or to serve Him
through
stupid ceremonies and grand pomp! However, when an
individual
substitutes the scriptures for tradition, dogma, or a cult's teaching,
it always end in some type of bondage. Whether it be to the
man or his teachings, or to his system. Because only continuing
in the
truth sets
us free. Which is living and practising the inspired scriptures ... the written word!
More
choice (Acts 17:11) "...
in that they received the word
with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily,
whether those things were so."
The Lord gives us liberty to serve Him. He does not straightjacket us or railroad us into a format in how we serve Him, but has actually called us to liberty:
Gal. 5:13. "For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love (not through restrain or compulsion) serve one another."
In the manner of Acts 27:3 portrays:
"Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself."
Just
the same way the Lord gives us an amount of individual
autonomy
for His own pleasure and purpose.
Jesus'
good news, which He has
entrusted to us, is to "to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the
opening
of the prison to them that are bound". James calls it "the
perfect
law of liberty". Galatians tells us that we have "been called
unto
liberty" and to "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ
hath
made us free." As long as we do not abuse our liberty, or use it
to be a cloak of maliciousness, or to allow it to be a stumbling block
to others; we are free to choose our friends, our careers, even the
place
where we live. If you have not had a specific instruction from
the
LORD
direct, or an audible voice from heaven, that is! Which rarely,
almost, doesn't
ever happen. If it did, we would not be living by faith, but
walking
around with our heads in the clouds, looking into space for
guidance.
If God
thundered
out of Heaven every time we were going to make a next step or turn,
"This is the way walk ye in it", then our walk would not be really by
faith, would it? Is God really freaky, spooky and eccentric like
this? Did
Jesus walk around with wide spacey eyes, with a quivering and wavering
in His speech
every time He spoke? We know from scripture the devils acted
oddly,
especially in Jesus' presence when they knew their time of comfort was
coming to an end. We may be a peculiar people in the world's
eyes,
because we preach a gospel which is foolishness to them which perish,
but we have not been called to the abnormal but to the normal. A
'feet
on the ground' normal person, who happens to be saved by grace.
Beware
of spooky believers! Show caution with those who are ever acting
out a conversation with God in their head! Give no room for the
airy fairy! If
you really
love someone you don't have to act
'something' or try to be 'anyone', or "spiritualize" anything.
There is no substitute for being open, straight and honest. True
love
unfeigned, is natural, normal, affectionate, and trustworthy and
compassionate:
Charity
"is kind (looks out for the well being of others first)", "envieth not (does not compete or compare with others)",
"vaunteth not itself (does not brag, seek attention or show off)", "is not
puffed up (does not hide behind written qualifications or being a "know all" )". "Doth not behave itself unseemly (is not 'over the top', strange and freaky), seeketh not her
own (not out to prove one-self or win at the cost of others), is
not easily provoked (can handle correction, opposition and the truth), thinketh no evil (is not suspicious and thinks the best first)". "Rejoiceth not in
iniquity (what is harmful, malicious and unjust),
but rejoiceth in the truth (what is real, genuine, honest, straight and true)"!
Ephesians 5:24-33 speaks of a great mystery concerning Christ and the church. By reading this passage it is clear Paul is comparing the love affair between Christ and His Bride and a husband and his wife:
Husbands
are to love their wives as
Christ loved the church. How
can a husband be loving his wife if he is not giving her choices
(space).
I have met many dictatorial husbands who brutally treat their wives
through
abusing their God given right as head of their household. These
religious
tyrants, snug and smug, and at home in fundamentalist circles, do not
give their
wives
choices but keep them subjected through legalistic bondage. They
run them the way they want to run them, all in their favour, with
nothing
or very little in their wife's favour. This is certainly not how
Christ loves His
people (His Church, His Bride), who He has called to liberty, giving us
space and the liberty
in
making choices.
Pr. 31:11. "The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her".
Scripture says that perfect love casts out all fear. Therefore, as Christ loved the Church and gave His life for His Church, so husbands are to love their wives with this same perfect love. Not manipulating them through quoting a verse (1 Corinthians 7:4:A?). Nor ruling them and keeping them in line with fear tactics and intimidation, or emotional blackmail.
Pr. 3:31. "Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways."
Looks like choice again! I just couldn't resist!
Decisions is making choices
God is love! That's scriptural, as already acknowledged. Moreover, because God loves us, He give us choices ... what toothpaste or shampoo we prefer! What meat I want to purchase and can eat (you can eat as much pork as you like, just leave me alone if I choose not to) etc. Which Brother I can call in on and have a cuppa tea with and which friends I choose to associate myself with (try 1 Cor. 5 & 15:33, & 2 Tim. 2:22).
Because we love our wives we just naturally accept they have choices like their husbands ... Is she free to go and have a latte with her girlfriends? What dress she would like to buy, how she wants to wear her hair (the Butch look is out of course), and how she presents her home to her own taste (here's da scriptures ... "her household", "guide the house", "keepers at home")! etc. Or do you work out her grocery list and menu for dinner? And stack the cupboards the way you want them stacked, after your own fashion? Or ... "look out if she gets details wrong!" That's the opposite to love, and is binding her, and being a control freak! Here's those scriptures again ... "her household", "guide the house", "keepers at home"!!!
Mundane? Common sense? Yes, to some. But to others what I am saying is apparently unscriptural, and even error. Some would even get irate! Some may unsubscribe from my list. Usually every time I send out a Beyond Snippets Plus email people unsubscribe, no matter what the topic is. I would say I would have just as many people unsubscribing as I do joining my list. That's life! It could be an indication I am up the Khyber (who's infallible anyhow?). Or it could be an indication I am speaking the truth. You choose (whoops!!! ... only if you believe you can)?
My
boys are well and truly young adults now, and working
and paying their keep. They have their own cars and within reason
can
choose
if they want to drive down to the shop and buy an ice-cream or go and
visit a mate or a girlfriend. That's freedom, is it not? We
also gave
them the choice of what
sports they
wanted to play, and whether they wanted to learn to play a musical
instrument or not, etc., as they
were growing up (what!! ... you didn't make them??). We even gave
them
the choice to "go to church" or not,
and which one to attend (they had been enlightened by their parents, of
course). After volunteering they opted out after the
second or third Sunday visit (phew!?). Therefore, is it a
coincidence
they have much more discernment than your average, everyday religionist?
I don't think I am a dictator ("the strict cruel tyrant" has been hopefully humbled over the years) and allow space for my family because I love them. If I made all their decisions and ran their lives, I would be hating them, wouldn't I? Don't get me wrong ... there is a lot of things we made them do and gave them no choices, when it came down to common everyday chores and behaviour. We gave them spankings for far less than what "loving" Christian parents (Pr. 13:24) let their brats off with today ("Oh, don't do that Dear ... O- n - e ... t - w - o ... t - h - r - e - e ... " "One more warning ... O - n - e ... t - w - o ... t - h - r - e - e ... " "I really mean it this time ... your last chance ... O - n - e ... t - w - o ... t - h - r - e - e ..." "Just do as I say ... O - n - e ... t - w - o ... t - h - r - e - e ... " Grrrrr!!). However, if I ruled with an iron fist all the time, I would be a dictator.
I have already mentioned on another occasion, about a Christian KJV man I know who ran his wife so much, because he was an utter control freak, that she took her life when she got hold of a firearm (after they had moved away to another district). I was so deeply saddened by this event, because I felt so powerless in helping her when she use to try and pour out her heart to me (even with the occasional black eye or something) when I use to pass her house walking the dog. I was also angered when I found out some time later this "Christian" husband had the audacity to conduct her funeral service single-handedly. He chose to of course!
Then there is a similar religious deception where people think God does all their thinking for them, just as some men want to do all their wives thinking for them. Or in reverse ... want a Jezebel to do all their thinking for them. Or further ... want a religious professional to do all their thinking for them (well, that's what they are hired to do, isn't it?). I remember going into the religious bookstore in our town a few years ago and bumping into a "Predestinationist Only" brother who was roaming the shelves in deep thought.
"Gidday Bro," I said. "What's ya up to?"
"It's my wife's birthday Tom, and I am asking the Lord to show me what to buy her for a present. However, He hasn't told me what to buy up till now."
"Don't worry about it Bro, as the Lord has given us a choice," I responded. "Just choose one yourself, and thank the Lord for His provision!"
I
could tell by his reaction he did
not like what I said, as it
was
totally against what he had been taught by his "Christian" guru. Besides,
if
he got the wrong present ... guess who got the blame? Then
again, how can God get the blame when He has told "me" what to buy or
what
to say? Which is the big 'put on' many use to manipulate others
by
taking them aside and quietly saying, "The LORD has told me to
tell
YOU ... blaa blaa blaa!" In other words
... "You'd better receive what I am saying as being from GOD or
else
you could
be in trouble!" You've got it ... in other words, "Do as I say!"
Three
days later, at a house-warming
weekend barbecue, I got
bailed
up in a corner of the garden (almost pinned to the wall in fact) by his
leader,
himself, and the rest of "the Mob", who came straight at me doing the
'heavy
thing', reprimanding me severely for making such an outlandish
statement,
that we can make choices from exercising our will. Now, of
course,
they did choose to tackle me for what I said (no one dragged them over
to me involuntary wise ... I think?), and it could have been
through just plain immaturity and ignorance on their part. Or it
could have
been
because they had chosen to give themselves over to error. Or then
again, was
it because they were being driven by some invisible heavies they had
unbeknownly let into their lives by religious deception? Still,
it was hard getting around the fact ... they had chosen to, if
this was the case!
Job 34:33. "Should it be according to thy mind? he will recompense it, whether thou refuse, or whether thou choose; and not I: therefore speak what thou knowest.
Exercising our will is not easy by the way. Especially early, on a very cold and dark frosty morning, when I have to get out of bed to go and earn a living. The Lord has never physically thrown me out of bed yet (although my wife has tried to).
A few years ago a friend of mine, who had just come to the Lord and been delivered of heroin (plus teenage years of financing his habit through crime), was asked by someone how he managed to give up smoking cigarettes. There were other brothers around at the time, who had been confessing Christians, acting spiritual, but were still regular cigarette smokers (you know ... the LORD had not directly and audibly told them to, 'Give up' ... yet, using a heavenly megaphone type of thing!). My friends simple reply was something like this:
"If you are not prepared to give up smoking you have got no excuse. You wilfully go and get your car keys off the shelf, then go and get into your car and start up the engine. Next, you drive down to the nearest dairy yourself (drugstore for my US readers). Then you get out of your car and physically go into the shop on your own accord, and grab a packet of cigarettes off the shelf and pay for them yourself over the counter. Then you take the packet outside and physically open them yourself, and place a ciggy in your mouth and light up to begin to inhale. Next you are inhaling. Nobody else has done this for you. You are the one performing this exercise on your own. You can't blame God, the Devil, but only yourself!"
The
scriptures say ... "For
this is the love of God, that we keep
his commandments."
Many
are forced to give up smoking now not because they have yielded their
bodies to God as His temple and dwelling place, but because society has
coerced them to through social engineering techniques. However,
the believer does so because he chooses to through the conviction power
of the Holy Ghost, to live according to the word. His body has
now became the temple of God, and not the church "sanctuary" a couple
of blocks away.
Isaiah
7:15. "Butter and honey
shall he
eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose
the
good."
Can't getaway from that word "choose" can we? Especially if you choose to read your Bible quite regularly!
Obedience
It's true! We can do nothing except it be HIM and of HIM! The LORD that is!. He is our Maker and the believers Redeemer as scripture says: "For in him we live, and move, and have our being".
However, within the sphere He has called us, or planted us, we do have God given autonomy over our own lives (because God is sovereign and gives gifts unto men for His own purpose). We teach our own children that with gifts and privileges come responsibility. The most paramount responsibility we have is that we have been commissioned to go and make disciples of the nations (the peoples of the world). In every facet of New Testament life and faith, the onus is put on the individual believer. This is an undeniable and irrefutable fact, as already proven in these posts.
To
make disciples is to make converts
first. The ball is in the
believers
court and the Lord has called the shot. However, the believer
cannot
act
alone as Jesus said the Holy Spirit would be given as our Comforter and
as the Psalmist declared ... "Behold, God is mine helper: the
Lord is
with them that uphold my soul."
Yes,
the onus is on the believer, to
do the will of the Lord, and not
serve his own agenda; with the Lord's help of course. When
Jesus met up with a certain
lame man at the pool named
Bethesda Jesus
asked him, "Wilt thou be made whole?" Paraphrased as, "Would you
like
to be healed?"
The
lame man's response was how he
couldn't, unless someone picked him up and transported him into the
pool. Yes, he wanted to be healed all right and he also thought
his
healing
would be found in that pool. When Jesus told him to "Rise, take
up thy
bed, and walk", it was
the man who responded to Jesus by his own actions, and was not
transported
supernaturally to that place of walking upright and free from
hindrance, as he found that he could stand and walk on his own two
feet. This happened as the miraculous process
was activated by God, as he responded to Jesus by trusting in His
words. Therefore, no pool was necessary, just his obedience to
Jesus by acting on His word.
At another incidence, when Peter was in the boat with the rest of the disciples, and Jesus came to them walking on the water, Jesus did not command Peter to come to Him (this command had already been given to Peter when they first met) but Peter appealed to Jesus:
"Lord, if it be thou (not a spirit or a spook, nor a mirage or an illusion), bid me come unto thee on the water."
What
happens to a muscle when it is being exercised? It gets
strengthened,
does it not? What happens to a Christian when faith is being
exercised?
His faith is strengthened! If it is not
being exercised it grows weak and limp. Therefore,
though we are weak, we are strong in Him, by walking and trusting in
Him, as His power is manifested in our weakness.
This is a biblical principle.
"Not that we are sufficient of
ourselves
to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of
God.
That our boasting may be in Him and not ourselves."
Peter
got out of the boat by an act of his own freewill in
response
to Jesus' admission. Jesus did not command or compel, or
manipulate,
or automate Peter the individual disciple. But Peter responded by
choice.
Walking on water was done by Peter. He was in charge of his own
faculties.
His limbs responded to the impulses of his brain, which he was supposed
to be in control of. The water holding
up Peter was God's part. Peter had Divine help as he stepped out
in
faith. Peter walking was
his part. The water miraculously not giving way to Peter was the
Lord's part. The fact Peter responded in this contrary situation
was to do with faith. Faith is a gift from God. But faith,
now (present tense), is a substance according to Hebrew 11:1. The
substance of things
hoped
for. Without this substance being exercised, faith is dead.
Thus
faith needs to be exercised to prove it is the evidence of things not
seen and this is the disciples part. Because without faith (a
living
substance)
being exercised and applied, it is impossible to please God.
This is
the difference between being a doer of the word than just a mere
hearer! Yes, Peter responding and walking, and using his
faculties and limbs, was indeed his part. Holding Peter up and
not allowing him to sink into the liquid called water was God's part.
The miraculous part.
Amos 3:3:
"Can two walk together, except they be agreed?"
God does His part and the disciple obeys. God commands the disciple and the command places the onus on the disciple. The disciple is in charge of his own limbs, his own faculties, his own speech, his own responses. This includes his own spirit (Proverbs 25:28). He has a choice in responding to God. If he draws near to God, then God will draw near to him. If he abides in Christ, then Christ will abide in Him. If he dies with Christ, then He will surely reign with Christ. The onus is on the disciple. He can either choose life or death, blessing or cursing, walking in the Spirit or walking in the flesh. The blessings of God are hinged on the disciples obedience. As the verse previously mentioned says, "the Lord is with them that uphold (his) soul." The disciple merely reaps what he sows in the Lord. Remembering; God is still God, who will never violate His own principles.
To
be haughty and use the privilege of a free gift and to say it is of
your
own doing
is error, because everything comes back to God anyhow. Even our
obedience
and the choices we make. Pride can hinder God in our life
(especially
religious pride) as God
may choose to harden or soften our heart, or take grace away and hand
us over to depravity. The sins of Sodom, by the way, were not
homosexuality;
but pride, idleness, and fullness of bread. Going after strange
flesh
was not a choice in the end (and nothing to do with aliens or monsters or fallen angels), but a handing over to it from the
Lord.
This revelation should change our whole idea and attitude to sin and
perversion, as well as both personal and collective "moral" crusades we
may be instigating. It would also fill us with the fear of
God.
Knowing, even repentance is a
gift. Simply because without it, we are lost and helpless.
That is why we need to be desperate for God and walk circumspectly
before Him, continually.
Obedience is nothing to do with religion or works. Religion and works are an alternative or counterfeit to obedience. Adam and Eve were disobedient. As an alternative they covered up their inadequacy with rigging fig leaves as a cover. This was the first religious act recorded in the Bible, and was still disobedience (deception actually), as they tried to disguise their disobedience. The next religious act was Cain bringing his produce to God as an offering. Trying to buy his way in other words, thinking God would be pleased with his effort. In contrast, Abel sacrificed a lamb (it cost him and meant an innocent life, with the shedding of blood) and God was pleased. Abel was not automated by God to fulfil God's need, but came as an act of his own accord with a freewill offering. That is why scripture said it was his (Abel's) offering which counted him as righteous. This is why there was an offering in the Old Testament called the free offering (or freewill offering) as already explained (and proven), as in type ... looking forward to the cross, "that speaketh better things than that of Abel".
Ex.
36:3. "And they received of
Moses all the offering, which
the
children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of the
sanctuary,
to make it withal. And they brought yet unto him free offerings
every morning."
Amos 4:5. "And offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven,
and proclaim and publish the free offerings: for this liketh
you,
O ye children of Israel, saith the Lord GOD."
In regards to our services to others, for the Lord's work, let's look at the next two verses:
Ezra 2:68 ... "when they came to the house of the LORD which is at Jerusalem, offered freely for the house of God to set it up in his place".
Ezra 7:15. "And to carry the
silver and
gold, which the king and his counsellors have freely offered
unto
the God of Israel, whose habitation is in Jerusalem".
Yes,
God responds to us when we respond to
Him, in humility and knowing His way is higher than mans, and without
Him, we can do nothing. Obedience is better than sacrifice.
Being a
doer of what is written and not just a forgetful hearer, or going beyond
the commandment of the Lord with our own form of service, is indeed better! As
Ephesians
6:6 says "... doing the will of God from the heart".
When we don't have a choice
A cult is any religious group where a man teaches that he can overrule the Bible and impose his own teachings. It is where scripture is used to justify a cause other than God's. Many preach a watered down lovey-dovey gospel, where truth has been removed out of the equation. It is where the notion is paraded that God has given us a choice when it comes to salvation and where Jesus pleads with the sinner constantly to come to Him and make some sort of commitment to go in His direction, like we were doing the Lord a favour. This is making salvation comfortable for the sinner ("Jesus is giving me a choice now, which means I can come later when I feel I might be ready") where true biblical repentance is no longer needed in order for someone to be converted. However, repentance is a command not a choice:
Acts 17:30. "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent".
This is the gospel with truth in the equation. However, this truth is not just hard, cold facts, and clinical in application; but is coupled with compassion and feeling for the lost and dying:
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 that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."
Many tend to forget that repentance is a gift. Saying, "I will go and enjoy the world now, and later, when I'm ready, I will come back to God." No doubt a great lie from down below. A lie which has fuelled the apostasy of our day, and keeps it rolling like a runaway steamroller.Does all mean all?
Revisiting the word ALL again in scripture, lets look at 2 Cor. 5: 14-15 again:
If
all in scripture was only
referring to the "us-ward" (as 2 Pet. 3:9 above), then why did the elect need to
repent when they already
should
have, which was the condition for them to become a child of God in the first place (born
again
into the election)? Paul constantly makes
reference
to all men throughout his epistles. Some argue that when Paul was
saying all men he was only referring to redeemed men, and never
to the unregenerated. Though this can easily be construed as true
in
some
cases, from many of the references it can be safely said that when Paul
mentioned all he was generalizing (meaning redeemed and
unredeemed
together), although some times narrowing it to the elect. The above passage (2 Cor. 5: 14-15) is very clear that all is applying to the whole world whereas they is applying to those in Christ, the Household of faith.
F'instance,
is Paul only referring to
the Household of faith
here? Scripture proves he certainly was not:
2 Tim. 2:24. "And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient".
If all men was only referring to the elect then Paul wouldn't have mentioned in other verses about our conduct in regards to not only those within (the redeemed) but also those without (the unregenerate lost) ... Titus 3: 1-2 & Hebrews 12:14.
Following is more indisputable proof from scripture that the gospel is to the whosoever and ALL usually does mean ALL:
1 Timothy 2:4. "Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth."
Could this verse just be referring to the elect? No way! Before verse 4 comes, verses 1 and 2 are keeping everything in context:
"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty."
No
doubt Paul was referring to the
civil
system
of men outside the kingdom.
1 Thes. 5:15. "See that none render evil for evil unto any
man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves (the brethren), and to
all men (those outside Christ)."
Try
reading through the above verse again and again until you see quite
clearly Paul is referring to two distinct groups of people here
... one being those who were part of the Body. And two
... those who were still in the world ... all men outside of
Christ! There simply cannot be any other way to look at it unless
you delectably change words or lines to fit in with your doctrine, or
someone's doctrine.
1 Tim. 4:10. "For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe."
The above verse says God is the saviour of ALL men. Which means ALL, because out of the ALL, the scripture is also pointing out a segment of 'the all' to those that believe. To ... "ALL men (the whosoever)", "specially of those that believe (the remnant)."
Therefore, it is safe to conclude in the following verse that ALL means to ALL men, being reminded that Jesus was the light that shone in darkness:
Titus 2:11. "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men"
From Titus 3: 1-2 we can see that Paul was referring to all men from them being in the kingdom as well as those being outside.
Then there are others who justify being indifferent when it comes to fulfilling "the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men".
"All", not meaning "all" in an individual head-count of course. What I am saying here is when scripture says "all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan" went out to meet John the Baptist, it obviously did not mean all the bedridden and insane, and all those who held positions of vital responsibility (in some cases). What scripture means with "all" here is in a blanket generalization ... in all types of people in all categories. But to (all) "them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people (Rev. 14:6)".
However, some would say the word "all" does not necessarily mean "all" in this sense either (contradicting Rev, 14:6 and other equal opposites such as Jer. 2:29, Rom. 3:23, Rom. 5:12, & 1 Cor. 8:1 ), but only purveys to those who qualify, or have been pre qualified, through pre election. If this was true, then how can the verse "let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith", be of relevance? If "all" did not mean "all", then Paul would not have added ... "especially unto them who are of the household of faith." Confirmed by other verses, should I say. F'instance:
"See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among <