I was looking up a verse in response to another post and clicked on the first link I seen. I was very moved by the message. My favorite portions are...
Even if you still can't accept that God will save EVERY man, woman and child created in His image and likeness, only a fool would say that it is IMPOSSIBLE for God to do this. Remember, ALL THINGS are possible with God. If it is His desire to save ALL men, who will hold back His hand?
Who will hold back his hand? Wow. I have no clever debate points to that. I have nothing but an open mouth. Am I to suggest I can hold back God's hand? What about Joe blow down the street? How about Hitler? Is Hitler powerful enough to hold back God's hand? Must HE choose God? Is there any act we must complete to be saved? Or does God do the choosing, in his own time...and through only the blood of Christ complete the act of salvation?
It goes on to say...Are we to be as dumbfounded as the disciples were and ask, "who can be saved?" Or rather, do we know and trust the living God and say with boldness, "who CAN'T be saved?" Really, who can withstand God's love and for how long? This is not to say we have no role in the salvation process.
Many may fight God's love, but He will wear them down. For those who are obedient to His Spirit in them, they will continue to mature into sons of God by their Father's love for them. For those who try to resist God's love, they will suffer at His hand and will be corrected. Through our sufferings we are taught and perfected in Christ Jesus.
This article greatly moved me. It is worth the read.
http://www.savioroftheworld.net/whothen.htm?vm=r (http://www.savioroftheworld.net/whothen.htm?vm=r)
From the article:
QuoteAgain, Paul gives credit only where it is deserved. God has a plan, a purpose that is being worked out in mankind. God planned complete restoration of creation and universal salvation of mankind in His Son, Jesus Christ before time started. Only now, is this magnificent plan being shown to mankind. All will be saved and saved the same way- by grace through faith. NEITHER is ours- they are from God. This is not to say we have no role in the salvation process. Many may fight God's love, but He will wear them down. For those who are obedient to His Spirit in them, they will continue to mature into sons of God by their Father's love for them. For those who try to resist God's love, they will suffer at His hand and will be corrected. Through our sufferings we are taught and perfected in Christ Jesus.
Jesus Christ's purpose for coming to us was to save us- not just some of us. Jesus Christ will never change His purpose, His character or His love for us. He will not stop searching out that lost sheep until He has found it. He will leave the 99 that they may rejoice with heaven when He returns with the lost one! When you are watching the news and see murderers and thieves, do you see someone that God cannot find and save? When you are walking down the street seeing many souls in despair, do you pass by someone God cannot save? When you have turned away from God in your sin and then look in the mirror, do you see someone that God cannot save? Are we to be as dumbfounded as the disciples were and ask, "who can be saved?" Or rather, do we know and trust the living God and say with boldness, "who CAN'T be saved?" Really, who can withstand God's love and for how long?
:cloud9: :thumbsup: