If God Wants All Saved, Why Isn’t it Easy?

[@3BadBostons]

It is not freedom to accept or reject belief, it is freedom to abide in His Word or not.

[@AlvinFen]

We don’t want to leave out John 1:4-10 because it ties right into “WORLD” in John 1:29 and 3:16-17. 1:4 the light of men, 1:7 all through Him might believe, 1:9 every man. Zane covers this well in his commentary, and ends with: John’s mission was one of testimony to a darkened world. The aim of that testimony was that ALL…MIGHT BELIEVE. God’s desire was simple. The Light was sent so that the entire world might come to believe (3:16-17). The fact that all DO NOT believe does not alter the fact that God desires it ( see 1 Timothy 2:4). End quote

[@2Chronicles714_]

It's terrible that Zane taught against repentance to have sins forgiven, which Jesus said was the only way sins are forgiven, and turned John 3:16 which Jesus the disciples nor Paul ever preached as the message of salvation.

[@AlvinFen]

@@2Chronicles714_ It sounds terrible to you because you don’t know what the gift of God is, and repentance and forgiveness is not an issue. That is why repentance is never mentioned in the Gospel of John and forgiveness is only mentioned one time and is not free gift language. Your completely blind to God’s gift of eternal life which is based on grace. You got to get works in there.

[@2Chronicles714_]

​​@@AlvinFen Why would the apostle John who preached repentance ((Mark 6:11-12) like Jesus and the others did suddenly not teach it in his gospel? IF John didn't believe that repentance was absolutely required, then why didn't he call out Peter for preaching repentance on the day of Pentecost? Did John change his mind about it when writing his Gospel? Or did Zane teach in error? What about Revelation 9:20-21 (John the Apostle) And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: 21Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts. Is John not saying to repent of sin? In this case not as the message of salvation but as a warning that we all should heed. I'm sure Hodges explains these questions in one of his books.

[@AlvinFen]

@@2Chronicles714_ You started in the wrong place that is why your never going to figure it out. Your like the Pharisees who couldn’t figure out the Messiah coming from Nazareth. Or thinking Jesus was a sinner because He healed on the Sabbath. Your not willing to come to Jesus for life (John 5:39-40). You will die in your sins unless you believe in Jesus the Christ (John 4:10,13-14,25-26,42; 20:30-31; 1:12-13; 3:16-18).

[@2Chronicles714_]

@@AlvinFen I've repented of my sins and believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross for my sins was buried and rose again. Am I not born again?

[@BloodofChrist-jx8te]

It is easy to get saved most people don’t want the easy option as they have pride and want to contribute to their salvation

[@2Chronicles714_]

Jesus warns about being self righteous. Luke5:32 amp I did not come to call the [self-proclaimed] righteous [who see no need to repent], but sinners to repentance [to change their old way of thinking, to turn from sin and to seek God and His righteousness].” Matthew 9:13 and learn what this [Scripture] means: ‘I DESIRE COMPASSION [for those in distress], AND NOT [animal] SACRIFICE,’ for I did not come to call [to repentance] the [self-proclaimed] righteous [who see no need to change], but sinners [those who recognize the sin and actively seek forgiveness].” Mark 2:17 When Jesus heard this, He said to them, “Those who are healthy have no need of a physician, but [only] those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners [who recognize their sin and humbly seek forgiveness]

[@BloodofChrist-jx8te]

@ yup who is being self righteous?

[@2Chronicles714_]

@@BloodofChrist-jx8te Those who are to proud to repent and turn away from sin to trusting Jesus as Lord and Savior.

[@trentthompson2899]

Those with a false hope of Heaven are not as easy to win to Christ as those with no hope.

[@AlvinFen]

It only comes by divine revelation, and the Father has only chosen to reveal the Son to babes (teachable). (See John 6:44-45; Luke 10:20-22; Matt 16:15-20).

[@ryanjolly5362]

Alvin is teaching election

[@AlvinFen]

@@ryanjolly5362 Election is to service not to eternal life. And a person must be willing to be taught (see John 5:39-40; 6:44-45). And to believe is a persuasion not a decision (see Acts 28:23-24; Romans 4:21). The free will comes in on being a babe (teachable). So, your wrong on all counts~!

[@Duck4212]

Faith is important to God. Not seeing yet still believing. I think this goes back to the garden of Eden. Adam not trusting what God said. God wants trust because lack of trust caused the fall of Adam.

[@Liminalplace1]

Bottom line you are saying salvation is conditional and a contractual relationship? Romans 5:10

[@AlvinFen]

The salvation in Romans is from temporal wrath. That means the believer reckons himself dead with Christ, buried with Christ, and risen with Christ. The believers spiritual union with Christ (one spirit 1 Cor 6:17; Gal 2:20). The believer is being delivered by Jesus life which is a daily process. God knows who the firstborn sons/daughters are, they are delivered as Paul was and have the firstfruits of the Spirit (see Romans 7:24-25; 8:2,23). This is not a condition for the gift of eternal life which is unconditional beyond initial faith which saves one from the lake of fire (John 3:16-18; Rev 20:15).

[@Liminalplace1]

@AlvinFen but still you'd claim without "believing in Jesus" you'd experience an eternity in "the lake of fire "...so it's still conditional and contractual. To me the only way to get outside a contractual view is to view it's Christs own faithfulness that justifies us..not our faith (which just a response)

[@AlvinFen]

@@Liminalplace1 There is no strings attached to the living water, there never has been and there never will be (Isa 55:1; John 4:10; Rev 22:17). It just depends on where you want to spend eternity~? Jesus made everyone savable by taking away the sins of the world. No one goes to the lake of fire for their sins (see John 1:29; 2 Cor 5:19; 1 Tim 2:6; 1 John 2:2). They go to the lake of fire because their name is not found written in the Book of Life (Rev 20:15). If you knew just how wonderful God is you would want to be with Him forever. He is the One who hang on a cross for the sins of the world (John 3:15-18). He is the One who washed the disciples feet, even Judas feet (John 13:5). He is the One who wept over Martha and Mary’s sorrow for their brother who Jesus knew He would raise from the dead (John 11:33-35). And He is the One who made the disciples breakfast and served them (John 21:9-13). This is the One who created everything outside of God, He is the Word (see John 1:1-3,14).

[@velkyn1]

because your bible can't agree on what this god wants. Some verses say that this god has already chosen who it will allow to accept it, then damning the rest for no action of their own, and some say that this god wants everyone saved. Both can't be true.

[@AlvinFen]

You need to make sure you start in the right place. Nothing in the Bible contradicts John 3:16. And the Gospel of John is the only book in the Bible with a purpose statement that’s evangelistic…that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:30-31).

[@2Chronicles714_]

​@AlvinFen Unfortunately GES has reversed John 3:16 which is a promise to those who continue believing and turned it into the message of salvation. Strange they never say how people were saved during the 60 years between Jesus's death and resurrection and when John's gospel was written.

[@2Chronicles714_]

God has given man freewill to come to repentance. God also has foreknowledge of those who repent and believe and those who will reject Him.

[@AlvinFen]

@@2Chronicles714_ the case is closed with you, your not open~!

[@2Chronicles714_]

@@AlvinFen We both have opposing theologies one follows the teaching of Jesus Peter and Paul the other follows a man-made doctrine that started in the 1970's. Both will not see the Kingdom of God.