Old Sandals

II Timothy 1:12
I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

In our fallen state, we do not have the power to say “Yes” to God, but we do have the power to say no. God elects, but we can reject our election. We passively accept the salvation Christ has wrought for us (there is nothing we can do to earn it, it is entirely free) or we can actively reject the offer, the free offer of the gospel.

God has effectively said “Yes” to everyone in the gracious, atoning death of His Son, Jesus Christ. He died, not for our sins only, but for the sins of the whole world.

Now God is infinite, and knows the end from the beginning. We are finite, and actually understand very little. Undoubtedly, there is more that could be said. But it gets tricky. It’s like trying to explain the Holy Trinity.  We have some idea, but we are brought up short. We are dealing with the mysteries of God. He is the Light of the world, yet dwells in unapproachable light.

1 Timothy 6:17
Trust…in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.

What gifts are you thankful for today?  Think about what the question implies.  As the apostle Paul wrote elsewhere, “What do you have that you did not receive?”  Or, as the apostle James wrote, “Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of lights.”
Even our faith in God is itself a gift.

Are you thankful?

I Timothy 5:5
Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day.

Give to God your present circumstances. Give this day to God. Deem it a sacrifice. Offer it up with thanksgiving.

1 Timothy 4:10
For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.

This isn’t universalism. Christ is the Redeemer, the one Mediator between God and (every) man. Everyone was redeemed by Christ’s sacrifice. But that’s not the same thing as saying everyone is or will be saved.

Especially (really, truly, only) those who believe.

1 Timothy 3:16
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:

I Timothy 2:4
[God] desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

John Chrysostom begins his exposition of this verse by saying, “Imitate God!” If God is willing, so should we be willing—in our prayers, in our outreach, excluding no one, for no one is beyond the reach of God’s love and forgiveness.

Perhaps this ought to be our reflection on this verse, rather than debating how to intimately reconcile the sovereignty of God and the freedom of man, a thing impossible to do this side of eternity.

Prosper of Aquitaine, a disciple of Augustine, reflecting on this verse, said this:

“We must most sincerely believe and profess that God wills all men to be saved.  For this, indeed, is the mind of the Apostle, who most urgently commands, what is a most devout custom in all the churches, that suppliant prayers be offered to God for all men.  That many of these perish is the fault of those who perish: that many are saved is the gift of Him who saves.”

1 Timothy 1:15
This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.

“I believe, O Lord, and I confess that thou art truly the Christ, the Son of the living God, who didst come into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.” The eastern orthodox are instructed to say this each week upon receiving holy communion.

“Of whom I am chief”. Can I say this honestly? I have not led a profligate lifestyle.  I’ve never really been harsh to anyone, let alone been guilty of murder.  How can I relate to this verse of Scripture?

In the grand scheme of things, profligacy and murder, although wicked, are not the worst sins.  They are but children of their mother.  The mother of all sins is the sin of unbelief.

My sin of unbelief is all the more aggravated by the fact that I live in the 21st century, and have at my disposal many wonderful resources.  I have the testimonies of many saintly men and women who have lived down through the centuries.

I believe, O Lord, and I confess that thou art truly the Christ, the Son of the living God, who didst come into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.

II Thessalonians 3:1
Pray…that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified.

What is the ‘basic message” of the gospel?

a. The gospel is how it all adds up. It doesn’t add up otherwise.
b. The gospel is the promise of the resurrection, of life beyond death.
c. The gospel is the revelation of the love of God. Amazing love. Unconditional love. Forgiving love.
d. The gospel is a decision I’m compelled to make. Will I spurn the love of God and, careless, turn away?
e. The gospel is the voice of one calling out in a wilderness to rescue those who have lost their way.
f. The gospel teaches me that in order to accept who He is, a merciful Savior, I must accept who I am, a guilty sinner in need of His mercy.
g. The gospel is the Great Exchange, my sinfulness for the righteousness of Jesus Christ.
h. The gospel is laying down my rebellion, and submitting to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

 

II Thessalonians 2:12-13
They [will] be condemned who [do] not believe the truth…but God from the beginning chose you for salvation through…belief in the truth.

Lord and Author of my faith: I do believe, help thou my unbelief.

II Thessalonians 1:7-9
…when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power.

Punished. Sometimes we bristle at the word. Why? Do we think that punishment—everlasting destruction—is incompatible with a loving God? Do we then properly understand love? God is all love, to be sure, but it is a holy love.