Christmas is Advent, defined as "the arrival of a notable person." In Christendom, "Advent" also includes the second-coming. That is, "Advent" is the culmination of God's redemptive plan from beginning to end. What is God's redemptive plan? In brief, "everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Acts 2:21). The gospel. "But," some counter, "if God doesn't save everyone, it's not good news, is it? If He only saves some and not others, how can that be 'the gospel'?" Scripture says, "It depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy" (Rom 9:16). Scripture says, "He has mercy on whomever He wills, and He hardens whomever He wills" (Rom 9:18). The seemingly natural response is "That's not fair!" To which Paul responds, "Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use?" (Rom 9:21).
Look, let's think this through. Jesus was abundantly clear. "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few" (Matt 7:13-14). According to Jesus, "few" are saved and "many" are not. Sorry, universalists. Those are Jesus's words, not mine. So the accusation must be that if all are not saved, Jesus is unfair. If all are not saved, God is unjust. "Well," some tap dance, "at least everyone has to have the opportunity." Okay, let's go with that. Define "opportunity." John 3:16 famously says that God loved the world in a particular way -- "that whoever believes in [His Son] should not perish but have eternal life." That's pretty broad. That's a universal opportunity -- "whoever." But in today's world, "equal opportunity" is out and "equal outcome" is in and, quite clearly, not everyone will believe in Him. Is that unfair? Or, a counter question: would "fair" mean that no one gets the choice to reject Him and everyone must believe? Or does "fair" allow for "you get what you choose"?
Scripture operates on the premise that God is unique. That's part of being "holy, holy, holy." He is uniquely just while being gracious (giving to some the good they don't deserve) and merciful (not giving the consequences that justice demands). He is always good and He is always right. Abraham asked the ultimate rhetorical question, "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?" (Gen 18:25). Yes, Abraham, absolutely. So the plan is clearly to offer salvation to all with the absolute certainty that not all will receive it. Those who choose not to receive it will receive their just reward while those who do will receive mercy. On no count can that be considered unfair ... unless, of course, you're opposed to the God of the Bible. But, at that point you're on your own.
6 comments:
It is certainly unfair (read unjust) that anyone is saved because we have all earned death and damnation. It is only through the mercy of Christ on the cross that we are able to circumvent justice and receive mercy. By that standard, it would only be fair of God to save those that have accepted the mercy He provided, for anyone else, it works be unfair to attribute that mercy to anyone that rejects it.
Today’s post is a perfect example of one that helps me think biblically--my reason for reading here every day!
Considering all that Scripture reveals to us about God’s nature and His holy standards--and man’s depravity in contrast--I can’t understand the “that’s not fair!” assertion made by people towards God. Has God ever denied salvation to someone seeking it? When a person hears the Gospel and then receives it in a desire to be saved, I don’t believe God ever has or ever would respond with, “Sorry, but you are not in the chosen group.” (Using the picture of the narrow gate, God doesn’t slam the gate closed as someone attempts to enter it, does He?) The way I understand it, if a person proceeds to trust Christ for their salvation, then they have joined the chosen group. None of us deserve God’s grace; all of us are invited to receive it. It comes down to a person’s response to the Gospel--their individual choice. As you word it, a “universal opportunity” for which “you get what you choose.” To me, that is entirely reasonable and far more than “fair” of God--that is gracious, generous, and all-loving.
Certainly, God would never turn away someone that is in the chosen group, but the question has to be asked, who chose the group? God didn't deny anyone that wants salvation, but without His regenerating work in our spirits, nobody wants it. There are some that can't accept salvation because they were made as vessels of wrath destined for destruction, like Pharaoh. Do you think it is fair of God to make certain people for destruction and certain people for grace? When we speak of God being "fair" to seekers, we run the risk of putting a set of boundaries on God that aren't accurate because the only fair thing for Him to do is exact justice in us all. It is only by His mercy that any are called, and all that are Called are saved. There is no "universal opportunity". The call may be wide, but the Call is limited to His chosen people, and there is nothing unfair about giving mercy to one group and giving justice to another.
David said, "Without His regenerating work in our spirits, nobody wants [salvation]." To anyone wondering, "Now, where did he get that nonsense?", I'd like to point you to an obscure book on the subject: the Bible. Jesus said, "No one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father" (John 6:65). Jesus said, "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him" (John 6:44). Paul wrote, "A natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised" (1 Cor 2:14). Paul wrote, "The mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God" (Rom 8:7). Instead of naturally pursuing salvation, Scripture says that we start out "dead in your trespasses and sins" (Eph 2:1). So no one can come unless the Father acts ("draws"), unless the Father grants (gifts) it. They can't do it on human understanding. Naturally pursuing salvation contradicts their natural hostility toward God and assumes a life that they don't have. The objection to what David said comes from an elevated view of humans that Scripture rejects.
Dan, years ago you earned the position of being the first person (of whom there are only two) whose comments I've had to block. In the intervening time, you've never changed that position. You've never repented. You've never relented. The rule here is "'Friendly' is the key word" and you've remained insulting, obstreperous, and recalcitrant. I'm not avoiding your questions. I'm ignoring your comments because you have proved -- repeatedly -- that you cannot maintain a friendly conversation. And my mother reads this blog. She doesn't need to be subjected to your repeated attacks. Neither do any other of my readers. Complain all you want that I'm not giving your assaults, insults, or disagreements a fair hearing if that's what you have to do to feel superior. It's not your arguments; it's your attitude.
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