The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Good News

No, you aren't playing semantics! [img]http://www.the-highway.com/w3timages/icons/laugh.gif" alt="laugh" title="laugh[/img] It appears to me that you are simply stating the end of what will be in store for the reprobate eschatologically. But I am speaking of the "here and now". The Gospel is inherently "Good News" to ALL who hear it. That is, sinners have a Saviour; a Redeemer Who has reconciled God to sinners through His substitutionary atonement, having become sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. The fact that sinners, unless given a new nature, will reject the Gospel has no relevancy to its message; i.e., God saves sinners. Their rejection of the Gospel has no bearing upon the fact that they are given a way to be united to God in Christ Jesus, by grace through faith in Him.

2 Corinthians 5:18-21 (ASV) "But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and gave unto us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not reckoning unto them their trespasses, and having committed unto us the word of reconciliation. We are ambassadors therefore on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beseech [you] on behalf of Christ, be ye reconciled to God. Him who knew no sin he made [to be] sin on our behalf; that we might become the righteousness of God in him."

The issue of who is elect and who is reprobate is irrelevant during this gospel period. What matters is that ALL are summoned to be reconciled, to have their sins remitted and be adopted as sons of the Living God through Christ Jesus the Lord. The application of God's secret predestination is not our concern. We are, however, to be faithful in preaching the Gospel to every creature and to make disciples of the nations.

So, I am seeing this as a matter or perspective, which are not in opposition to each other, but two sides of the same coin, as it were. Those who initially show opposition to the Gospel may indeed be elect. Through the divine providence of God, it may be that all we are given to do is to plant a few seeds, here and there. Another may come along, perhaps even years later and pour out some water on that same soul. And eventually, the Spirit comes and gives the increase. Even Paul had to be reminded that salvation is of the Lord and not of his preaching.

Acts 18:5-6 (ASV) "But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was constrained by the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. And when they opposed themselves and blasphemed, he shook out his raiment and said unto them, Your blood [be] upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles." . . . (vv. 9-11) "And the Lord said unto Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak and hold not thy peace: for I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to harm thee: for I have much people in this city. And he dwelt [there] a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them."

It is good that every man hear that there is salvation in the Lord Christ. It is good news that "God was in Christ,
reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them;". (1Cor 5:19) It is good news to speak of the Lord Christ, "Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God." (Rom 3:25) To reject this divine message is to add even more condemnation to oneself which already exists, even as all men are by nature, children of wrath and under the just condemnation of God.