Does God desire the salvation of all mankind?

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SonLight_Wolf

Active member
Jan 14, 2023
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No, I'd say God doesn't wish for everyone to be saved.

He tells us through Jesus' ministry that no one can come to him unless he calls them.
Meanwhile, we learn our natural mind can't hear his call, understand the things of his Holy Spirit, because that understanding is spiritually received. The only thing that changes this natural mind blockage of all things holy is if God's holy spirit intervenes.

And even then salvation and faith comes by God's grace. So , his Holy Spirit has to intervene for us to hear him call us into his grace.

That tells me salvation is conditioned on God making it possible. Even in being able to hear him call us to his grace, gospel. Otherwise, it is all foolishness to those of natural mind.

A condition that remains on place unless God changes that.

This is why those in whom God changed these things are called God's elect.

If God wanted to save everybody he could.

But he didn't.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
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No, I'd say God doesn't wish for everyone to be saved.
These are all the same old tired Calvinistic ideas which have no basis is Scripture properly interpreted. Even John Calvin has contradicted what you just said.

Here is Calvin's commentary on John3:17: For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

"17. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world. It is a confirmation of the preceding statement; for it was not in vain that God sent his own Son to us. He came not to destroy; and therefore it follows, that it is the peculiar office of the Son of God, that all who believe may obtain salvation by him. There is now no reason why any man should be in a state of hesitation, or of distressing anxiety, as to the manner in which he may escape death, when we believe that it was the purpose of God that Christ should deliver us from it. The word world is again repeated, that no man may think himself wholly excluded, if he only keep the road of faith.

The word judge (prino) is here put for condemn, as in many other passages. When he declares that he did not come to condemn the world, he thus points out the actual design of his coming; for what need was there that Christ should come to destroy us who were utterly ruined? We ought not, therefore, to look at any thing else in Christ, than that God, out of his boundless goodness chose to extend his aid for saving us who were lost; and whenever our sins press us -- whenever Satan would drive us to despair -- we ought to hold out this shield, that God is unwilling that we should be overwhelmed with everlasting destruction, because he has appointed his Son to be the salvation of the world."

Notice carefully Calvin's choice of words. He is interpreting John 3:17 exactly as Christ meant it to be interpreted. That God desires the salvation of all mankind.
 
Dec 30, 2020
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God is not the one who faces the mountain. Look what Jesus tells this woman in Verse 34...YOUR FAITH HAS MADE YOU WHOLE.

Jesus didn't say His FAITH, He said her FAITH.

Whoever taught you your beliefs has to be rotting in Hell!
Ephesians 8:2-3
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
 

HeIsHere

Well-known member
May 21, 2022
3,957
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No, I'd say God doesn't wish for everyone to be saved.

He tells us through Jesus' ministry that no one can come to him unless he calls them.
Meanwhile, we learn our natural mind can't hear his call, understand the things of his Holy Spirit, because that understanding is spiritually received. The only thing that changes this natural mind blockage of all things holy is if God's holy spirit intervenes.

And even then salvation and faith comes by God's grace. So , his Holy Spirit has to intervene for us to hear him call us into his grace.

That tells me salvation is conditioned on God making it possible. Even in being able to hear him call us to his grace, gospel. Otherwise, it is all foolishness to those of natural mind.

A condition that remains on place unless God changes that.

This is why those in whom God changed these things are called God's elect.

If God wanted to save everybody he could.

But he didn't.
The logical end of Calvinism... "No, I'd say God doesn't wish for everyone to be saved." :rolleyes:

Again a verse cherry picked from its surrounding text, Paul is not teaching the natural man cannot understand spiritual things, what he is saying in context is that spiritual things cannot be understood through human wisdom and philosophies.

He speaking to people of the Greek culture who held human philosophy in high regard.

Paul makes it clear here that the sacred writings can give the wisdom that is needed....

“…from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness…” (2 Tim. 3:15-16)


And yes people do and are able to seek after truth of their own volition and agency, the problem is human philosophies get in the way not because a person has no ability to understand.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
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John 3: 16 God so loved the world, but only those that believe in His Son will not perish, but have everlasting life.
Another attempt at twisting the Word of God. Also the omission of "only begotten Son" is significant. Christ is the uniquely begotten Son of God the Father, and this denotes an eternal Father-Son relationship. He is "begotten not created being of one substance with the Father".
 

SonLight_Wolf

Active member
Jan 14, 2023
205
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The logical end of Calvinism... "No, I'd say God doesn't wish for everyone to be saved." :rolleyes:

Again a verse cherry picked from its surrounding text, Paul is not teaching the natural man cannot understand spiritual things, what he is saying in context is that spiritual things cannot be understood through human wisdom and philosophies.

He speaking to people of the Greek culture who held human philosophy in high regard.

Paul makes it clear here that the sacred writings can give the wisdom that is needed....

“…from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness…” (2 Tim. 3:15-16)


And yes people do and are able to seek after truth of their own volition and agency, the problem is human philosophies get in the way not because a person has no ability to understand.
Not a Calvinist. :) Just a Biblicist.

Now what?
 

SonLight_Wolf

Active member
Jan 14, 2023
205
66
28
For God so loved the world . . .
What's the rest? In context as relates to sustaining passages?

''...that whosoever believeth in him.... ''

Belief comes by the grace of God! Not if ourselves so that none can brag they chose Jesus.

Because the natural mind cannot understand the things of God unless God changes their mind.
These are all the same old tired Calvinistic ideas which have no basis is Scripture properly interpreted. Even John Calvin has contradicted what you just said.

Here is Calvin's commentary on John3:17: For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

"17. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world. It is a confirmation of the preceding statement; for it was not in vain that God sent his own Son to us. He came not to destroy; and therefore it follows, that it is the peculiar office of the Son of God, that all who believe may obtain salvation by him. There is now no reason why any man should be in a state of hesitation, or of distressing anxiety, as to the manner in which he may escape death, when we believe that it was the purpose of God that Christ should deliver us from it. The word world is again repeated, that no man may think himself wholly excluded, if he only keep the road of faith.

The word judge (prino) is here put for condemn, as in many other passages. When he declares that he did not come to condemn the world, he thus points out the actual design of his coming; for what need was there that Christ should come to destroy us who were utterly ruined? We ought not, therefore, to look at any thing else in Christ, than that God, out of his boundless goodness chose to extend his aid for saving us who were lost; and whenever our sins press us -- whenever Satan would drive us to despair -- we ought to hold out this shield, that God is unwilling that we should be overwhelmed with everlasting destruction, because he has appointed his Son to be the salvation of the world."

Notice carefully Calvin's choice of words. He is interpreting John 3:17 exactly as Christ meant it to be interpreted. That God desires the salvation of all mankind.
That's contrary to God's own words.

Are you going to accuse God of being a Calvinist?
 

Lafftur

Senior Member
Apr 18, 2017
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Does God desire the salvation of all mankind? Hmmm...:unsure:


Yes, He does... but why? What is God REALLY after? What would God gain by saving us?


He gains a relationship with others created in His image that can KNOW Him personally and LOVE Him. God is very jealous for a relationship with us but, He is also so patient to wait for us to choose Him.

If we are to truly love Him, He knows we have to choose to do so. Salvation is a choice between Life with God or Death without Him.

God will only save those that choose to love Him... Who would you want to spend eternity with? Someone that loves you or someone that doesn't?


Those that believe in Jesus Christ and receive Jesus as Lord, Savior and King have chosen Life with God and have chosen to seek to know and love God,

Our love for God will be tested... we will need to lay our life down for Him because that's what Love does... our life is not taken from us, we lay it down. That's the kind of love God is looking for.
 

Snacks

Well-known member
Feb 10, 2022
1,410
771
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What's the rest? In context as relates to sustaining passages?

''...that whosoever believeth in him.... ''

Belief comes by the grace of God! Not if ourselves so that none can brag they chose Jesus.

Because the natural mind cannot understand the things of God unless God changes their mind.

That's contrary to God's own words.

Are you going to accuse God of being a Calvinist?
You stated, “I'd say God doesn't wish for everyone to be saved.” Nowhere is that supported in Scripture. What is supported in Scripture is that God desires everyone to be saved, however you and I agree people who don’t have faith in Jesus Christ are not saved.

PS: welcome to CC 😊
 

SonLight_Wolf

Active member
Jan 14, 2023
205
66
28
You stated, “I'd say God doesn't wish for everyone to be saved.” Nowhere is that supported in Scripture. What is supported in Scripture is that God desires everyone to be saved, however you and I agree people who don’t have faith in Jesus Christ are not saved.

PS: welcome to CC 😊
Thanks for the welcome.

And I disagree. That God doesn't wish for all to be saved is supported by scripture.
Jesus taught in parables for that very reason.
 

Snacks

Well-known member
Feb 10, 2022
1,410
771
113
Thanks for the welcome.

And I disagree. That God doesn't wish for all to be saved is supported by scripture.
Jesus taught in parables for that very reason.
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3.9

I appreciate your views and look forward to exchanging different ideas during our journey together here on CC.
 

ForestGreenCook

Well-known member
Jul 8, 2018
8,397
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Thanks for CONTRADICTING Scripture. Anyone can see that you are refusing to accept the truth and continue to love the lies. Let's post another Scripture which refutes your claim )John 1:12,13): But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

So which comes first the believing or the New Birth? The answer is obvious except to those who deliberately twist the Scriptures. And no one can be born again unless the gift of the Holy Spirit is given first. But the Holy Spirit is only given to those who repent and believe (Acts 2:38).

Go ahead and underline the rest of the red letters. why did they believe? Because they were born of God.

Acts 2:38, these Jews were already born again and given a fleshy heart that could be pricked to feel spiritual guilt.