¨Salvation is not the decision, salvation is the crucifixion. The decision we make is a response to so great a salvation or rejection of it.¨ random thought Ann Marie Moore
I would say this that I know without a shadow of a doubt that God ordained me to eternal life. Only because I can see His leading hand in my life, looking back, even as a lost person. I am ever humbly blessed that God sent his message of salvation to me, many times over.
With that said I can also see how God’s call to salvation is not reserved just the elect as some may believe. The first time I recall someone sharing the Gospel with me was when I was nine years old. A young lady invited ALL the neighborhood kids in my street in El Paso, Texas.
Out of all my friends only my best friend Tony and I showed up. And we talked about it wondering if we should or shouldn’t go. There was no force from God making me feel guilty if I did not show up. I cannot say I felt drawn to go and I wonder if Tony would have said no, but the fact was the lady got permission from his mom to do the Bible study on their porch. So I guess he probably felt he had to be present.
To this day I do not know how the message affected Tony, since he moved away not long after that. But we both received the same message, “This is your heart filled with sin,” and we were given a little picture of a dark heart. Talk about being on target in my life as I was a child that lived in constant turmoil of demonic possession. But the lady gave us a message of hope. At the time I did not understand what she was talking about when she referred to the Gospel but I was awaken to think about God.
I believe God awakens us to Himself (Romans 1:21). I believe that in order to have biblical faith in Him it is by way of His faith (Gal 2:20) but don’t ask me why God leaves the choice to us to be willing to believe (John 3:16) that part totally amazes me and the fact that God is tremendously patient to reasons with us (Isaiah 1:18) also amazes me.
I greatly appreciate the sovereignty and holiness of God and just how gracious He is that ALL may know that there is one who saves. For ALL will unmistakably know but not all will obey. It is not for me to try and figure out who may or may not be God’s elect.
It is my responsibility to teach others pointing them to the Bible to learn who God is. Through God´s word they learn what God requires and as our Lord leads point them to the only hope and solution to have a right standing before God and that is through Jesus Christ.
I encourage you to get out there and preach the Gospel. You never know you just may find a jewel, ordained of God to salvation. Wouldn’t it be neat to know you had a part in their lives?
Malachi 3
16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.
17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.
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