John 3:16-17 (NIV)
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that
whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not
send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through
him.
I have
been rereading Philip Yancey’s book, Vanishing Grace. He talks candidly
about how we have often muddled our faith by mixing it with all kinds of things
so that the Gospel is no longer good news for many people. Then he masterfully
talks about both why the Gospel is good news and how we can communicate that to
a world that desperately needs good news.
For many
years I have struggled with the conflict between what is called reformed
theology, which states that everyone’s eternal destiny is predestined, and the
idea of free will. I have gravitated to the side of free will. To me, predestination
makes a mockery of the Gospel. Let me try to explain.
For me
simply, the Gospel is not good news for anyone if it is not good news for
everyone. If some people are arbitrarily included while others are excluded,
how can we embrace that as good news?
As I
read the New Testament, I can see how some theologians have come up with the
idea of predestination, but, in the process, they have to negate all of the
passages that speak of a free choice given to all people. So here are my
thoughts.
God’s
love is large enough to encompass the entire world. John 3:16-17 clearly states
that Jesus came into the world for the benefit of the world. He didn’t come for
the benefit of some of the world but for the entire world.
God’s compassion
is large enough to extend salvation to all who will receive it. The Lord
is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient
with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9 (NIV) If we take Peter’s words at face value, then God’s
perfect will is for everyone to be saved. The key to attaining that salvation
is repentance, which requires a choice on the part of every individual.
God’s invitation
is open to all who will receive it. Come to me, all you who are weary and
burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 (NIV) Jesus is
inviting all who feel overwhelmed and discouraged to come to Him. There is no
disclaimer saying that this invitation is only for those who have already been
chosen to believe.
God’s
grace is large enough to include all who, by faith, receive His invitation. He
was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not
recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive
him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave
the right to become children of God-- children born not of natural descent, nor
of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. John 1:10-13
(NIV) Notice that there is a clear choice given here. “To all who received Him.”
The words receive and believe speak clearly of making a conscious choice.
Throughout
the entire Bible there is an open invitation for people to come to God in
faith. He offers the free gift of salvation to all those who respond. God has
clearly placed a choice before us. It is up to each individual to decide how
they will respond. Only then is the Gospel truly good news.
Deuteronomy 30:19-20
(NIV)
This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set
before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you
and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to
his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give
you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and
Jacob.
