
Originally Posted by
Saxon
I am of the belief that anyone can repent and that anyone can be saved. No one has been predestined to salvation or ****ation.
But Saxon,
", , if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire" (Rev 20:15)
By God's decree:
"with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Rom 10:10)
For "God , , now commands all men everywhere to repent" (Acts 17:30)
So then:
"WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.”
So, even if they might instinctively call upon the Creator to repent, but as you know we must "confess with the mouth the Lord Jesus".
"How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!”
However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, “LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?” (Rom 10:14-16)
Can they possibly believe in the Christ without hearing, just as Peter confessed Him by what God "revealed" to him? I think it's possible, regardless, "they did not all heed".
- The Gospel must be heard (v14-15)
- The gospel must be believed (v16)
I don't know how you feel, in that, although the kindness of God can "lead to repentance", it remains a stand alone. Generally, people understandingly become very opinionated over this and don't feel God could possibly do this to all the otherwise "good" people out there. I must admit, in life, as is also shown in the word very well-intentioned people. But we recall again His truth:
"THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD, THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE.” (Rom 3:12)
This is as you can see, the whole world and everyone in it. So, if everyone is in need of the one and only name given under heaven by which "we must be saved", Jesus, how long do we have before we can no longer send any more preachers to the hearer?
"This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come." (Matthew 24:14)
"And it shall come to p***, that in the place where it was said unto them, You are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God." (Rom 9:26)
Mike.