Wednesday, January 5, 2011

1/5/11–A Prayer To The Whosoever God

cross with shadowIt amazes me today the debate that goes on amongst Christians in reference to salvation, and who can or cannot be saved. There are many people that I read after, respect, and learn from, that have this notion that God chooses some for salvation and damns others and that man has no choice in the matter. Yet, today in my Bible reading I was reminded that God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. This great Bible truth is seen in Romans 5. Here are a couple of verses:

Romans 5:15  But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.

Romans 5:18  Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

Notice how the word “many” is used in v. 15. There are those who would say, “See, not every will be saved because it does not say all.” But in doing so, they ignore the context of the verse and the entire chapter. Remember, it said,For if through the offence of one many be dead…” Last time I checked, everyone who has ever lived has or will die. Why? Because the wage we earn from sin is death, and the sin of Adam has passed down to all men (5:12). So, “many” is in quantitative term that is defined by “all” in v. 18. So, when it says “many” we can define how many with “all.” Just as the penalty of sin was passed to all, the way of salvation is offered to all. We can rejoice today that we serve a “whosoever” God, and as the great hymn of our faith sings, “Whosoever meaneth me!”

Heavenly Father, we are grateful that your Word tells us that you are a whosoever God and that you will in no wise cast out any who come unto you by faith in your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. I pray for those who will read this devotion that if they have not called upon your name in faith and repentance that they will know that you are there to receive them. Help those of use who know you as Lord and Saviour to fulfill your great command for us and tell a lost and dying world that your salvation is at hand. In Jesus’ name we pray with thanksgiving. Amen.

4 comments:

  1. Saw this over on KJV and didn't realize it was yours! Made my comment there. I am outspoken on my belief in the veracity of John 3:15-16!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yeah, she asked me to post them on the devotional site and not the blog site.

    ReplyDelete
  3. If only some were offered salvation and not all, there would be room for pride. But the Lord Jesus Christ freely offers His salvation to all who will repent and receive Him as their Saviour, trusting in His finished work of redemption.

    ReplyDelete
  4. You're right! I had that conversation with someone here recently. They tried to make the case that we can glory in our choosing God. But it was my contention that I would have more to glory in if I felt that God chose me and not others. That would make me special, and elevated above others.

    ReplyDelete