Thank God Without Ceasing
by John Hendryx
We affirm with the Bible that whosoever believes in Jesus Christ (without exception) will not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). That has never been at issue. Problem is, no one is naturally willing to submit to the humbling terms of the gospel, apart from regenerating grace (Deut 29:4, 30:6; Ezek 36:26; John 1:13; 5:21, 6:63-65, Rom 8:7, 1 Cor 2:14). Indeed, God commands all people everywhere to repent and believe (Acts 17:30), so it is man's responsibility, but men naturally love darkness, hate the light and will not come into the light (John 3:19, 20) So even after God has given all men opportunity, what is amazing is not that He saves only some of us, but rather, why He saves any of us at all. Even though man is so obstinate, God still yet extends his mercy to us (Rom 9:16). Though no one will come to Jesus on their own, the Spirit still has mercy on a great many stiff-necked ill-deserving sinners... In love (Eph 1:4, 5), He opens their blind eyes, unplugs their deaf ears and turns their hearts of stone to hearts of flesh. Some get justice, others get mercy, but no one gets injustice. So if, by the grace of God, you believe the gospel... thank God for Jesus who provided EVERYTHING we need for salvation, including a new heart to believe. Thank God without ceasing.
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