Some people think they are doing God a favor by "helping" Him out and doing Him a favor by what they do. God doesn't need our aid to accomplish His purposes; He only has decreed the means to His ends and it is a privilege to be used by Him, not God that is privileged by our aid. God doesn't need us in the slightest and can accomplish His will regardless--to say that He needs us is to deny His self-existence or His self-sustaining ability--He requires no outside aid to exist--God is dependent on no one.
Of course, some look at the lost and say that God is trying to save everyone and only doing His best--which means that God is a failure because not everyone is going to be saved. ("As many as were appointed unto eternal life believed," says Acts 13:48.) The doctrine of election is further delineated in Romans 11:7 saying, "The elect obtained unto it, and the rest were hardened." Peter says, "They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do" in 1 Pet. 2:8. There are encouraging words to the elect: "For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through Jesus Christ," says 1 Thess. 5:9. However, regarding the reprobate, Jude says, "For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation."
God achieves what He sets out to do and "accomplishes all His good purpose" (Isa. 46:10). God takes no pleasure in the ultimate destiny of the wicked ("For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live," says Ezek. 18:32). You might think of a judge that has to execute the guilty person but hates doing it.
God is a God of mercy and love, but also of justice and in some cases, justice must be served. God owes mercy to no one or it would not be mercy, but justice. God could have decided to save no one and He would still be God. Yes, everything is going according to plan A and there is no plan B as a backup--God will not fail! Soli Deo Gloria!
Of course, some look at the lost and say that God is trying to save everyone and only doing His best--which means that God is a failure because not everyone is going to be saved. ("As many as were appointed unto eternal life believed," says Acts 13:48.) The doctrine of election is further delineated in Romans 11:7 saying, "The elect obtained unto it, and the rest were hardened." Peter says, "They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do" in 1 Pet. 2:8. There are encouraging words to the elect: "For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through Jesus Christ," says 1 Thess. 5:9. However, regarding the reprobate, Jude says, "For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation."
God achieves what He sets out to do and "accomplishes all His good purpose" (Isa. 46:10). God takes no pleasure in the ultimate destiny of the wicked ("For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live," says Ezek. 18:32). You might think of a judge that has to execute the guilty person but hates doing it.
God is a God of mercy and love, but also of justice and in some cases, justice must be served. God owes mercy to no one or it would not be mercy, but justice. God could have decided to save no one and He would still be God. Yes, everything is going according to plan A and there is no plan B as a backup--God will not fail! Soli Deo Gloria!
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