Post by netchaplain on Oct 26, 2022 5:08:55 GMT -8
God knew man was going to be a sinner, which answers to His provision for a way out of our sin—which is the Cross of Christ—His only Begotten! His desire for others to come to Him comes from the fact that He made us to be incarnate, and knew we would have a carnal, sinful nature, which is used to show us His holiness and love, so that He can make us new, and enable us to enter fellowship with Him. Not just union with Him but also fellowship (as close as we can get - Jas 4:8). He also takes in the entirety of our sins into account when we receive Him.
All this in the sight of knowing most will perish. But as it is known, “broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Mat 7:13, 14). Even one lost soul is worth all the saved (Luk 15:7)!
The Book of Life is God’s record from eternity past of all who will be saved, so only those who are in it will listen to the Great Shepheard, and surely “follow” (Jhn 10:27). Those who are not His cannot even hear Him, let alone follow. They cannot know the “Way” (Acts 9:2; 22:4), since they will never hear the Way; and they will perish due to not choosing Him, instead of being ignorant of redemption. One must choose to be saved, for God will not “trespass” against a soul’s will; He doesn’t intrude, but must be asked to enter your soul (Rev 3:20; Jhn 1:12; Col 2:6). It’s very important to God that we retain our personal character, which is who we are, apart from the old man. Jesus doesn’t replace us but enjoins us!
Those who are in the Book of life will, without fail “hear” His “voice” and “follow.” They know there is no other to turn to, for they are certain that only the Lord Jesus “has the words of eternal life” (Jhn 6:68); it’s only by Him “we must be saved” (Act 4:12), and there is no other claiming to redeem souls.
The saints have been on God’s mind as long as He has been; and in His surety He knows it will be as He desires. Us eternally with Him and His holy angels, whom will be secondary to those inheriting son-ship in Christ, being the sole ones created “in His own image” (Gen 1:27). Thus, the eternal order of priority will be the Father, Son, Spirit, man and holy angels!
NC