The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved! For the hurt of the daughter of my people I am hurt. I am mourning. Astonishment has taken hold of me. Is there no balm in Gilead, is there no physician there? Why then is there no recovery for the health of the daughter of my people? Jeremiah 8:20-22
The Lord desires that all men be saved. All. If it were up to Him absolutely, that would surely be the case. But men, made in the image of God, retain their ability to choose God or reject God. Even in our fallen, corrupted state this is so. Our ability to reject God comes naturally. Our choice for God, although unnatural, is possible because of God’s prevenient grace. Faith is a gift that must be actively received.
