Recently, I realized that someone "embraced" Arminianism, because she is "uncomfortable" with or could not just accept God's Word which says, "Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden" (Rom. 9:18, NIV).
She opted to believe how Arminians define "foreknowlege" -- God gives His Spirit to those He has chosen to be saved, because He knows beforehand that they would accept His offer.
I just don't know if she is also aware that the Reformed view of predestination did NOT just start from Calvin, but you could also read it in the book, City of God by Augustine -- not only in the letters of Paul.
Anyway, last time, we had a brief encounter. I told her, "I have something for you. It's Titus 3:5-6..."
And I continued to recite it, "He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His..." -- "foreknowledge?" I asked her.
She was nodding in approval. But I shook my head and slowly quoted God's Word, "... according to His mercy..."
Our conversation was stopped, however, because someone had called her attention and talked with her for other matters. She just told me that she would look up the verse later.
If I could have continued, not only I would finish quoting Titus 3:5-6, but I would also tell her about a good illustration of mercy in the New Testament: the Samaritan who had mercy on the victim of the robbers (Luke 10:30-37).
The victim was "half-dead" -- unconscious -- and the Samaritan did not bother to ask, if he wanted to be helped. He just extended his mercy to him. And the victim had no ability to refuse the help of a Samaritan and prefer the assistance from a Jew. He did not have even the consciousness to ask for help.
We are victims of Satan -- spiritually dead -- totally helpless. Without the Spirit of God to enable us to draw near to Christ, we would not have any desire to follow Him. Even if we have the so-called freedom of the will, we could not exercise it for we are spiritually unconscious!
We read in Romans 8:6-8, "The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God."
Thus, if not for God's mercy, we would not or we are unable to receive His Spirit and be saved. It's by God's grace.
Could we not submit and bow down to the glorious weight of God's Word: "It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy" (Rom. 9:16)?
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Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
WHY Others Are Not Attracted To God?
It is a popular belief or teaching that others are not attracted to God, refuse to follow Him, or find more pleasure in sin than God, because of our so-called free will.
And because of our human choice, others also believe that we are able to resist or disregard His Call.
BUT, what did the Word of God say?
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, told the Samaritan woman, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him..." (John 4:10, NKJV.)
If we really knew Who Jesus is, our reaction or choice would not be to reject or refuse Him or what He is offering!
Others reject God or refuse His Word because of their ignorance, or false or incomplete understanding of God. It is not just because of their choice.
But if we really knew Him, our immediate reaction is to admire, adore and worship Him -- not because we are forced, but because we are attracted to Him.
And because of our human choice, others also believe that we are able to resist or disregard His Call.
BUT, what did the Word of God say?
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, told the Samaritan woman, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him..." (John 4:10, NKJV.)
If we really knew Who Jesus is, our reaction or choice would not be to reject or refuse Him or what He is offering!
Others reject God or refuse His Word because of their ignorance, or false or incomplete understanding of God. It is not just because of their choice.
But if we really knew Him, our immediate reaction is to admire, adore and worship Him -- not because we are forced, but because we are attracted to Him.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
God SEPARATES...
Let’s review Genesis 1:4, “And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness” (NKJV).
Notice the last part: “… God divided the light from the darkness.”
Other translations render it, “God SEPARATED the light from the darkness” as we read also in the New International Version.
God divides or separates. He does not mix the light with darkness.
In the future, there will be also separation among the nations. Jesus Christ said:
“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world…’ Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels…’” (Matt 25:31-34, 41, NKJV.)
There are those who teach that everyone will be saved. But according to God’s Word, He would say to those on His right hand, “Come…” but to those on the left hand, “Depart…”
God attracts. For while the devil tried to “mix it up,” God separates.
We read in Matthew 13:24-25, “Another parable He put forth to them, saying: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way.’”
The devil is the "enemy" who sowed the tares among the wheat. Now, let’s continue to read:
“But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. So the servants of the owner came and said to him, 'Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?' "He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' The servants said to him, 'Do you want us then to go and gather them up?' "But he said, 'No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, "First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn" ' " (verses 26-30).
God may allow this time the “tares” and the “wheat” – the righteous and the unrighteous” – the believers and the unbelievers – to “grow together.” But the day is coming when they will be separated. As we read in Malachi 3:18:
“So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him” (NAS) – for, then, God will again separate the “light” from the “darkness.”
Notice the last part: “… God divided the light from the darkness.”
Other translations render it, “God SEPARATED the light from the darkness” as we read also in the New International Version.
God divides or separates. He does not mix the light with darkness.
In the future, there will be also separation among the nations. Jesus Christ said:
“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world…’ Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels…’” (Matt 25:31-34, 41, NKJV.)
There are those who teach that everyone will be saved. But according to God’s Word, He would say to those on His right hand, “Come…” but to those on the left hand, “Depart…”
God attracts. For while the devil tried to “mix it up,” God separates.
We read in Matthew 13:24-25, “Another parable He put forth to them, saying: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way.’”
The devil is the "enemy" who sowed the tares among the wheat. Now, let’s continue to read:
“But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. So the servants of the owner came and said to him, 'Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?' "He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' The servants said to him, 'Do you want us then to go and gather them up?' "But he said, 'No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, "First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn" ' " (verses 26-30).
God may allow this time the “tares” and the “wheat” – the righteous and the unrighteous” – the believers and the unbelievers – to “grow together.” But the day is coming when they will be separated. As we read in Malachi 3:18:
“So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him” (NAS) – for, then, God will again separate the “light” from the “darkness.”
Monday, October 27, 2008
God Creates A NEW Heart
A friend pointed out to me how to have a "healthy heart." According to him, "heal-thy-heart" could be achieved -- "if we heal our hearts from past wounds, insults, pains and forget about getting even & don't hold grudges..."
God, however, wants that we have not only a healthy heart, but a NEW heart.
We read in Ezekiel 18:311: "Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit" (NKJV).
And He Himself made this promise:
"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh" (Ezek. 36:26).
(Unfortunately, there are those who believe and teach that that promise was only for the physical Israelites.)
According to God's Word, what we need is a new heart -- I told my friend -- a heart that God can open, so we can receive all His Words (not only those that we can conveniently obey), a heart that can receive God's revelation of Himself, not only those human perception about God, a heart that can really love God for it experiences the very love of God, in spite of whatever trial or difficulty that could happen, a kind of heart that look to God as its Supreme Joy, not just the fulfillment of one's human desire, a kind of heart that lasts for eternity, cherishing God's Word (not just the philosophy or convincing arguments of men) -- a kind of heart that David prayed for:
"Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me" (Ps 51:10).
Not just for a healthy heart, but, just like David, let's long for and pray for a new and clean heart.
God, however, wants that we have not only a healthy heart, but a NEW heart.
We read in Ezekiel 18:311: "Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit" (NKJV).
And He Himself made this promise:
"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh" (Ezek. 36:26).
(Unfortunately, there are those who believe and teach that that promise was only for the physical Israelites.)
According to God's Word, what we need is a new heart -- I told my friend -- a heart that God can open, so we can receive all His Words (not only those that we can conveniently obey), a heart that can receive God's revelation of Himself, not only those human perception about God, a heart that can really love God for it experiences the very love of God, in spite of whatever trial or difficulty that could happen, a kind of heart that look to God as its Supreme Joy, not just the fulfillment of one's human desire, a kind of heart that lasts for eternity, cherishing God's Word (not just the philosophy or convincing arguments of men) -- a kind of heart that David prayed for:
"Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me" (Ps 51:10).
Not just for a healthy heart, but, just like David, let's long for and pray for a new and clean heart.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
God SATISFIES!
Would you hesitate to become attracted to something that satisfies you?
An illegal drug even attracted many for it could provide an amount of satisfaction.
But we read in God's Word:"Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness,And for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul, And fills the hungry soul with goodness" (Ps. 107:8-9, NKJV).
God SATISFIES the longing soul!!
Only God can fill and satisfy the human heart He created. If He reveals to you that "He fills the hungry soul with goodness" and only He Who satisfies, nothing else will bring you contentment!
But if we have just our own picture of God, we could even find Him boring or a burden. We could even entertain the thought that His Splendor could fail to attract our attention or to create interest in our heart! We could believe that His Supreme Goodness could just be disregarded. And His Wonders and Sovereign Grace could be rejected!
Be acquainted with Him and experience His Supreme Satisfaction!
An illegal drug even attracted many for it could provide an amount of satisfaction.
But we read in God's Word:"Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness,And for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul, And fills the hungry soul with goodness" (Ps. 107:8-9, NKJV).
God SATISFIES the longing soul!!
Only God can fill and satisfy the human heart He created. If He reveals to you that "He fills the hungry soul with goodness" and only He Who satisfies, nothing else will bring you contentment!
But if we have just our own picture of God, we could even find Him boring or a burden. We could even entertain the thought that His Splendor could fail to attract our attention or to create interest in our heart! We could believe that His Supreme Goodness could just be disregarded. And His Wonders and Sovereign Grace could be rejected!
Be acquainted with Him and experience His Supreme Satisfaction!
Monday, July 21, 2008
NOT ALL Are God's Children
Anyone could just claim that they are God’s children – even non-Bible believers could “believe” they are.
But it’s a very different thing, if God Himself will call you His child. “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1, NKJV).
If God Himself will recognize us as His children, our tendency is to be attracted to Him! For we are made aware that He is our Father!
Others claim that God has the same kind of love for everyone. They even teach that everyone in the world is a child of God. But God’s Word declares He has greater love for His own children. The New International Version translates the first part, “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us…”!
We read also in 1 John 3:10, that there are “children of God and the children of the devil…” – NOT ALL are included in His Holy Family.
The Son of God told others, "If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do…” (John 8:42-44).
If we realize that He Himself has recognize us as His children and we experience His Great Loving Fatherly care, we will also embrace Him, as we see Him running toward us to welcome us!
Yes, we will choose to love Him – not because we choose Him to be our Father, but He has chosen us first to become His own children.
But it’s a very different thing, if God Himself will call you His child. “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1, NKJV).
If God Himself will recognize us as His children, our tendency is to be attracted to Him! For we are made aware that He is our Father!
Others claim that God has the same kind of love for everyone. They even teach that everyone in the world is a child of God. But God’s Word declares He has greater love for His own children. The New International Version translates the first part, “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us…”!
We read also in 1 John 3:10, that there are “children of God and the children of the devil…” – NOT ALL are included in His Holy Family.
The Son of God told others, "If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do…” (John 8:42-44).
If we realize that He Himself has recognize us as His children and we experience His Great Loving Fatherly care, we will also embrace Him, as we see Him running toward us to welcome us!
Yes, we will choose to love Him – not because we choose Him to be our Father, but He has chosen us first to become His own children.
Friday, July 4, 2008
God A T T R A C T S ! !
Could you afford to reject God? Could you just set aside His Supreme Goodness?
Would you be interested in something other than Him?
David, who had a glimpse of His Divine Beauty, declared:
"One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,To behold the beauty of the LORD,And to meditate in His temple" (Ps. 27:4, NAS).
"To behold the BEAUTY of the LORD"!!
Beauty attracts! It does not repulse!
We do not tend to reject something beautiful! We do not close our eyes to it. We are drawn toward it! We gravitate closer and closer to it.
If something beautiful that is created just out of nothing attracts us, how much more the BEAUTY that is there from all eternity and will go on for eternity!?
God's Beauty is unsurpassed. He who beholds Him will so admire Him and will be satisfied God Himself dwells in him.
Would you be interested in something other than Him?
David, who had a glimpse of His Divine Beauty, declared:
"One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,To behold the beauty of the LORD,And to meditate in His temple" (Ps. 27:4, NAS).
"To behold the BEAUTY of the LORD"!!
Beauty attracts! It does not repulse!
We do not tend to reject something beautiful! We do not close our eyes to it. We are drawn toward it! We gravitate closer and closer to it.
If something beautiful that is created just out of nothing attracts us, how much more the BEAUTY that is there from all eternity and will go on for eternity!?
God's Beauty is unsurpassed. He who beholds Him will so admire Him and will be satisfied God Himself dwells in him.
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