February 7
A while back I got into a knock-down, drag out fight (figuratively speaking) with a local pastor about John 3:16. I was rather shocked at his somewhat juvenile understanding of the verse. It’s been some time since I met a pastor who actually graduated from a bible college suggest God loves evil men. The interpretation accepted by the overwhelming majority of conservative reform theological scholars is that God loves every ethnic group, both sexes, and children as well as adults. No part of the world and no national group is exempt from God’s love. Romans 9:12-17 couldn’t be clearer. God loved Jacob and hated Esau. He raised Pharaoh up for the very purpose of demonstrating His power in him. He has mercy on whom He has mercy and hardens whom He desires. In John 13 and 15 Jesus makes it clear He chose us, we did not choose him. Romans 8:30 and Eph 1:4 tell us He chose us before the foundation of the world. In John 17:9 Jesus said He was not praying, for the world, but rather He was praying for those whom God had given Him.
While on the one hand salvation is available to any who will take it, scripture makes it clear no one will take it unless God regenerates one’s dead spirit and gives him the faith to repent and believe He was crucified for our transgressions and raised for our justification (Rom. 4:25). If you have been effectually called into the kingdom of God today I urge you to find someone to tell about it. God has done great things in your life; and there are great multitudes, many of whom you will likely meet this week, yet to discover He has also called them into the marvelous light of His kingdom.
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