If the restoration of all things is not the truth, then I maintain that no truth exists—at least, none in Scripture—that will nurture whole-hearted trust in God. For Love minus commitment equals abusive nonsense (1 John 3:18).
Furthermore, if the Scriptures do not mean what they say—that is, that Christ will inherit all things—then only three options remain:
1) The Good News of Arminianism is correct? If so, then chance, along with our sin-impaired wills, are the factors which determine our destiny, our salvation and our identity—bottom line. In other words, Christ cannot save the worst of sinners, only the “willing” and consistently obedient ones who respond to Him in this lifetime. (That is, if they are lucky enough to have a chance to hear about Him.)
2) The Good News of Calvinism is correct? If so, then many are called but few are ever chosen. Infinite Unfailing Love Himself has chosen to save only some of His own offspring. He therefore has chosen to bring most of them into being to suffer endless torment. Why? No matter how sincerely voiced, such questions are regarded as “irreverent” in this framework of understanding. The stock answer is, “God is sovereign.”
3) The Good News of Calv-Arminianism is correct? If so, then again, none of us can rest secure in the love of God. For the “significant degree” of human effort required to assure our ultimate salvation is unknown to all of us. Thus, we can never know exactly why some people will be lost forever. This means some people will be in for a rude awakening on judgment day! And again, eternity will prove that Christ came to heal the well, not the sick. He cannot save the worst of sinners; He can save only the milder cases.
Do any of the above options sound like “glad tidings of great joy which shall be to all people”? Do any of them inspire deepest worship, admiration and gratitude in your heart toward the Lord? I pray our tender Father will make His heart known to you as you prayerfully ponder the Scriptures.
As you can see from all you have read in these pages, the Lord longs to lead us all to repentance. And He will do so, one way or another—sooner or later. That is His sure commitment! He loves us too much to leave us forever in the grasp of ANY bondage or evil.
Wow! That’s comforting, isn’t it? However, it may be a bit threatening to certain bondages we’ve learned to love/hate. That is, various “pleasures” we fiercely cling to while knowing they’re killing us along with other people we care about most.
Are you tired? Are you exhausted from clinging to lust? Bitterness or resentment? Chemical, sexual or emotional addictions? Abusive religion? Always having to be right or get the last word? Are you tired of looking for love in all the wrong places and only finding abuse disguised as “love”? Self abuse?
If so, good! That is what repentance is all about: being sick and tired of BEING sick and tired. Being willing and ready for healing and change. Repentance means healing and change. Repentance by which our heart-attitudes and lives launch into Love’s direction—God’s direction. For God is Who Love is all about. Love is not a what but a Who.
Do you know Him—personally? Do you daily enjoy literal friendship with your Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ whom He sent into the world? If you’re sick and tired and ready for a supernatural turn-around, with all your heart (in your own words, if you prefer) pray:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for loving me with total commitment. Thank You also, Lord Jesus, for dying for my sins on the cross. Thank You for showing me that Love never gives up on anyone—including myself.
Heavenly Father, I gratefully acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord of all creation, and today I receive Him as my Lord and Savior. Your power released Christ from death’s power, and I am trusting You to raise me to life as well.
Thank You for Your kindness and faithfulness to lead me to this place of healing turn-around and repentance. I gladly welcome the new heart and lifestyle You’re giving me at this moment.
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, by Your grace, Your loving help, I now commit all that I have and am to You. Lord Jesus, You are my Gift of Salvation, so wherever You lead me I will follow. Amen. (Romans 10:9-10)
Do you realize that God gave us His oracles (the Scriptures) to ravish us with encouragement—and hope? Absolutely! The Lord longs for you to rest secure in His love and be ASSURED of His good plans for you. He wants His Abrahamic covenant to be a sure covenant with you. Our deep and settled sense of a Good Reason for being comes from knowing God’s heart, His commitment and purpose. It does not come from the uncertain Calvinistic concept of “once saved always saved” (if you have truly been saved). Nor does it come from the Arminian idea that God helps only those who help themselves. Such concepts can only foster a sense of pride and exclusiveness—or else perpetuate in our lives a pattern of unceasing paranoia and morbid self-scrutiny.
Let’s go back to the Scriptures to nurture our hope! Let’s put our “grace glasses” on to see our Heavenly Father’s heart and sure purpose revealed to Abraham and all of God’s prophets! Let’s follow Paul as he follows our Lord Jesus Christ:
“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs so that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy, as it is written:
“‘Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing hymns to your name.’ Again, it says, ‘Rejoice, O Gen-tiles, with His people.’ And again, ‘Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and sing praises to Him, all you peoples.’ And again, Isaiah says, ‘The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in Him.’
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:4-13).
“. . . so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isa. 55:11).
“This hope we have as an anchor for the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters into the Presence behind the veil . . .” (Heb. 6:19).
“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself” (John 12:32).