Romans 12:3
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
I wrote about this verse in Bible Truth #152 but the Holy Spirit just showed me something new today in my studies.
The words “every man” appear in this passage twice. The first time it is translated from the Greek Word pas, which can mean:
1) individually - each, any, every, anyone, etc... OR
2) collectively - some of all types or groups.
But the second time “every man” occurs it is translated from the Greek word hekastos and there is only one way it can be used: “each and every.” This second word is never used in the New Testament when referring to all mankind as those for whom Jesus died. Do you think it is a coincidence that hekastos is NEVER used in the context of the atoning death of Jesus Christ? Christ did not die for every man:
- He was named Jesus because He would save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21), not every single human ever born
- Jesus loved the church and gave Himself up for it (Ephesians 5:25) - not every man ever born
- God gave His Son so that all the believing ones should have everlasting life (John 3:16), not every man.
- Jesus Himself said that He would shed His Blood for many, not each and every man (Mark 14:24).
One of the many Names of Jesus is Savior. This is true because of something He does, it is not simply a title. Savior is more than a name, it is a verb, an action taken. If there is a man in Hell today it is because Jesus is NOT his Savior. If Jesus were the Savior of any man in Hell it would make Him a failure or a liar. That is not the Omnipotent, Sovereign of the Universe in Whom I believe.
No man can come to Jesus unless the Father draws him, and those the Father draws, Jesus WILL raise up (John 6:44).
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Bible Truth #323 - Psalm 10:2-4
2 In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises.
3 He boasts of the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD.
4 In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.
The wicked man does not seek Him, this is mirrored in Romans 3:11 when Paul wrote the same thing. In all his thoughts there is no room for God.
The lost do not seek God and there is no room for God in their thoughts, every imagination of the thoughts of his heart is only evil continually (Genesis 6:5) - so tell me again how a lost man will, of his own volition, change that and seek God. Tell me again that he will make room for God. Tell me again how the Holy Spirit convicts a lost man when God tells us the lost man will never understand anything from the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 2:14)
The only thing that is clear to me is that those who believe in decisional salvation never stop adding words to Scripture. They never tire of inserting worldly philosophy and principles to God’s Word (Colossians 2:8).
I ask again, please show me one parable of Christ concerning salvation where the object of salvation had anything at all to do with being saved.
Examples:
The Sower and the soils - Can the rocky soil (or any infertile soil) change itself into fertile soil? (Matthew 13) God creates the soil (hearts of man - Psalm 33:15) and the soil has no say or decision in the matter at all. (And if you notice in the parable, not all soil [hearts] receive[s] seed, but only where the Sower throws it.)
The Shepherd and the sheep - Can a sheep move from one flock to another? ALL the work is done by the Shepherd (God), the sheep has no say or decision in the matter of which flock he is in. If a sheep does move from one flock to another, it'’s because the shepherd chose it and paid for it, completing the transaction. (Bible Truth #28, #110, #134, #164)
The Vine and the branches - Can a branch remove itself from a vine and graft itself into a different vine? (John 15) It is ALL the work of the Husbandman or Gardener (God). The branch has no say or decision in the matter of to which vine it is attached.
The lost man is Totally Depraved and wants nothing to do with Christ at all. This is why God must act first and draw a man. Jesus will then raise up EVERY man God draws (John 6:44), NOT every man who accepts the drawing.
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